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Magnetic clasps for securing the opposed ends of chains and other jewelry. Each clasp includes an arrangement for securing separable bodies by means of magnets that have been poled to present opposed surfaces of opposite magnetic polarities. In a first embodiment, disk-like magnets are received in c

Magnetic clasps for securing the opposed ends of chains and other jewelry. Each clasp includes an arrangement for securing separable bodies by means of magnets that have been poled to present opposed surfaces of opposite magnetic polarities. In a first embodiment, disk-like magnets are received in channels of mating elongated body members of like configuration. End flanges of the elongated body members, in addition to the disk-like magnets, provide axial resistance to separation while the resultant magnetic force prevents separation in the transverse direction. In a second embodiment, disk-like magnets of divided polarities are seated at ends of mating bodies. A pin-and-slot locking mechanism is formed in the two bodies and the magnets are oriented relative thereto so that resultant repulsive magnetic forces force the two magnets into mating alignment when in the longitudinal slot for maximum magnetic holding force. In a third embodiment, magnetic disks are held side-by-side by holders within a split hemispherical housing.

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1. A clasp for selectively joining a first element to a second element, the clasp comprising: a) a first generally elongated body member having opposed first and second ends and comprising a flange located at one of the ends, the flange for receiving the first element; and b) a second generally

1. A clasp for selectively joining a first element to a second element, the clasp comprising: a) a first generally elongated body member having opposed first and second ends and comprising a flange located at one of the ends, the flange for receiving the first element; and b) a second generally elongated body member having opposed first and second ends and comprising a flange located at one of the ends, the flange for receiving the second element; wherein each body member further comprises: (i) a generally semi-cylindrical elongated frame of nonmagnetic material, the frame having an internal semi-cylindrical coaxial channel and comprising a disk-like end member and a cylindrical end member which are located at opposite ends of the channel, and (ii) at least one magnet located within the channel for selectively securing the body members to each other through a common magnetic field. 2. A clasp as defined in claim 1 wherein said flange of a body member is connected to said disk-like end member of that body member. 3. A clasp as defined in claim 2 wherein each of said magnets is generally cylindrical. 4. A clasp for selectively joining a first element to a second element, the clasp comprising, in combination: a) an elongated first generally-cylindrical body of a first diameter, the elongated body having opposed open and closed ends; b) a flange having an internal aperture connected to the exterior surface of said closed end of said elongated first body; c) a first disk-like magnet arranged transverse to the axis of symmetry of and within said elongated first generally-cylindrical body, said first disk-like magnet comprising semicircular disk regions which are divided by a first diameter, and which comprise opposed major surfaces of opposite magnetic polarity on opposite sides of the first diameter; d) an elongated second generally-cylindrical body of a second diameter, the elongated second body comprising at least one radially directed pin which extends from the exterior surface thereof and having a first closed end and an opposed end, the opposed end being closed by a second disk-like magnet arranged transverse to the axis of symmetry of the elongated second body, the second magnet comprising two semicircular disk regions which are divided by a second diameter and which comprise opposed major surfaces of opposite magnetic polarity on opposite sides of the second diameter; e) a flange connected to the first closed end of the elongated second body, the flange having an internal aperture; wherein the second diameter is less than the first diameter such that the elongated second generally-cylindrical body can be received within the elongated first generally-cylindrical body, and wherein the elongated first generally-cylindrical body further comprises at least one L-shaped slot comprising a longitudinally-directed slot portion, for receiving the pin of the elongated second generally-cylindrical body, and an intersecting radially-directed slot portion. 5. A clasp as defined in claim 4 wherein said first diameter is aligned with said second diameter when said pin is received at the free end of said radial slot portion. 6. A clasp as defined in claim 4 comprising: a) two L-shaped slots; b) two radially-directed pins fixed to the exterior of said elongated second generally-cylindrical body; and c) said L-shaped slots and said pins being arranged so that said pins may simultaneously engage and be seated within the L-shaped slots.