Swivel
from the Antique Jewelry University
(Redirected from Swivel hook)
The swivel catch is a widely used jewelry safety catch that takes the form of an oval which is tapered on one end - or as a question mark - and more importantly it can rotate around a lateral axis. Part of the catch can be pressed inwards through a spring mechanism but not outwards, allowing an accessory to be quickly locked in place but can not easily escape. Many pocket watches were suspended on a chain with a swivel catch. Mountain climbers use this kind of quick catch to secure themselves on a rope. The main benefits of this type of catch are that it would still provide for a relative safe catch when the spring mechanism looses strength and that the suspended item can rotate without twisting the rope or chain.