Chunky Fluorite Nugget Bracelet

by Kylie Jones

Category: Contemporary
Technique(s): Chain Making
Skill Level: Beginner

Pure fluorite is naturally clear and the colors come from different minerals and other impurities that are part of the crystal, some impurities even give the stones a fluorescence and many stones have bands of different colors and patterns. The different colors range from purples to yellows and browns and greens and blues, it can actually be every color. I love the seemingly endless variety of colors within each color group which is great for designing interesting pieces.

Materials

20mm x 16mm fluorite nugget beads

Lesson Quantity: 3.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 3.00 each

8mm Crystal 5000 Round Swarovski Crystal Beads - Pack of 6

A13-15

Lesson Quantity: 4.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $3.97
Gold Club Price: $2.98

Out of Stock

20 Gauge Round Half Hard .925 Sterling Silver Wire

H8-20H

Lesson Quantity: 18.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
Price: $17.98
Gold Club Price: $13.49

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Sterling Silver Jump Ring Open (.040) 18ga. (OD) 4mm Heavy (ID) 2.33mm - Pack of 10

K11-32

Lesson Quantity: 8.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $3.02
Gold Club Price: $2.27

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Sterling Silver Jump Ring Open (.030) 20ga 3mm - Pack of 10

K11-26

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.28
Gold Club Price: $1.71

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Sterling Silver Chain Textured Oval Cable 5.5 x 6 mm - 10 Feet

C8-183U

Lesson Quantity: 9.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $99.00
Gold Club Price: $74.25

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Tools

WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5

G15-20

G15-20
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $170.72
Gold Club Price: $128.04

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Instructions

Step 1

Each of the fluorite beads and Swarovski crystal beads need to be placed on the wire with wrapped loops at each end. There are different ways of doing this and whatever way gives you the most consistent result is fine. My preferred way of doing wrapped loops is to work directly from the long coil of wire as this saves a lot of waste. If you work directly from the coil you need to place the bead on the piece of wire before you begin.

Kylie Jones's Chunky Fluorite Nugget Bracelet - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , chunky fluorite bracelet

Step 2

Straighten the wire with the nylon pliers and make a 90 degree bend about 2cm from the end.

Place the bent piece of wire in the round nose pliers right at the bend and using your fingers bend the wire end over and around the top jaw of the pliers as far as you can go, then reposition the pliers by rotating them 180 degrees so the wire loop is now on the bottom jaw.

Continue to bend the wire end around the jaw of the pliers so it crosses the long piece of wire. You should now have a round loop.

Hold the loop in the nylon pliers and with your fingers wrap the end of the wire around to the back making sure the wrap you are making is tight and straight across the bottom of the round loop. Using the chain nose pliers tightly wrap the wire end around the long wire shank so there are 2 full wraps and trim the end.

Squeeze the trimmed end so it fits snugly under the wraps. If your round loop isn't exactly round you can place it back onto the round nose pliers and using the nylon pliers gently push it down around the round jaw.

Step 3

Push the first fluorite bead up against the wrapped loop. Leaving about 2mm of wire shank for the 2 wraps of the loop, make a 90 degree bend in the wire and make another wrapped loop. Try and make the loops as uniform as possible.

Step 4

With an open jump ring go through 1 loop from a Swarovski crystal and one loop from a fluorite nugget and close the ring. With another open jump ring go through the other loop of the fluorite nugget and the loop of another Swarovski crystal and close the ring. Continue to add beads alternating between Swarovski crystal and fluorite nugget until you have used them all.

Step 5

Attach one end of one piece of chain to the jump ring on the left of the middle fluorite nugget. Drape the chain around the middle nugget and attach it to the jump ring on the right. Take the chain right to the end of the bracelet and with an open jump ring go through the last link of the chain and the last loop of the Swarovski crystal and close the ring.

Step 6

Repeat step 5 with the second piece of chain starting at the jump ring to the right of the central nugget and heading to the left.

Step 7

With the small jump ring attach the trigger clasp to one end of the bracelet.

Reviews

Kylie Jones

I am a jewelry designer living on the Sunshine Coast, Qld, Australia. I love the challenge of designing jewelry, the mix of creative energy and problem solving. I love chain maille because it is low tech, it makes gorgeous ornamental patterns and textures, and it has a strong link to the past. You can see more of my work at: www.ringsandstones.com.au