Silver Lobster Claw Jewelry Clasp with BB Trefoil Hallmark

This item is a jewelry component, specifically a lobster claw style clasp made from a metallic alloy, likely sterling silver based on its luster and oxidation patterns. The most significant feature is an impressed manufacturer's mark consisting of a trefoil or three-lobed outline containing the letters 'B' and 'B'. This hallmark is characteristic of certain vintage or artisan jewelry makers. The physical construction shows a cast body with a hinged mechanism attached to a secondary jump ring. The surface displays evidence of significant use, characterized by a heavy 'stippled' or micro-pitted patina, numerous fine surface scratches, and dark oxidation in the recessed areas of the hallmark. No obvious structural failures or repairs are visible, though the spring mechanism is partially obscured. The style and construction suggest a mid-20th to late-20th-century production date, common in sterling silver designer jewelry from the 1970s or 1980s. The weight and thickness of the metal indicate a high-quality, durable component intended for significant jewelry pieces such as heavy bracelets or necklaces.