Gemstone Chain Maille Pendant

by Kylie Jones

Category: Chain Maille
Technique(s): Chain Making
Skill Level: Intermediate

This chain maille pendant has 2 different weaves. The main body is made with European 4 in 1 and the top bail is made with box chain. Small bright silver discs are added to the pendant, these can be textured by scratching or left with a mirror finish. Any large gemstone bead will work, I think a faceted finish complements the chain maille pattern really well.

Materials

Sterling silver jump rings 20g AWG (0.8mm) Inner Diameter ID 5/32” (4mm)

Lesson Quantity: 43.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 43.00 each

6mm sterling silver discs with hole

Lesson Quantity: 5.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 5.00 each

16mm x 22mm gemstone pendant

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each

24 Gauge Round Half Hard .925 Sterling Silver Wire

H8-24H

Lesson Quantity: 2.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
Price: $1.24
Gold Club Price: $0.93

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Tools

Flat Nose Wire Pliers

G2-506

G2-506
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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Round Nose Wire Pliers

G2-507

G2-507
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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Chain Nose Wire Pliers

G2-508

G2-508
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $32.95
Gold Club Price: $24.71

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C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches

PLR-487.00

PLR-487.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $16.97
Gold Club Price: $12.73

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Instructions

Step 1

Place 4 closed rings on an open ring and close the ring. Arrange the rings so you have a 2-1-2 chain. With an open ring go through the 2 rings from the last link in the small chain, add 2 closed rings and close the ring. You now have a 2-1-2-1-2 chain. This chain sets out the width of the pendant which is 5 vertical columns.

Kylie Jones's Gemstone Chain Maille Pendant - , Chain Maille Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , gemstone chain maille pendant

Step 2

To add a row of chain maille, you add 5 rings, one to each column. 3 of the rings will be added as closed rings and 2 will be added as open rings. None of the rings sit perfectly flat, each ring has a raised edge. Note the position of the raised edge in columns 2 and 4, the raised top part of the ring is at the front - shown with red dots. In columns 1, 3 and 5 the raised edge of the rings is at the back - shown with blue dots. If your rings don't look the same simply turn the chain over.

Step 3

With an open ring take it down into the bottom ring of the 1st column and back out of the bottom ring of the third column, add 2 closed rings, one to column 1 and 1 to column 3, and close the ring. Take an open ring and go down into the 2 bottom rings of column 3 and out of the bottom ring of column 5, add a closed ring, and close the ring.

Step 4

Repeat the last step to add another row.

Step 5

For the base of the pendant the chain maille is tapered, take an open ring and as in step 3 go into the first ring and out through the 3rd ring, this time only add 1 ring which will be positioned in the center 3rd column. Now take an open ring and go through the 2 rings from the 3rd column and out through the bottom ring of the 5th column, add no ring, just close the ring.

Step 6

Repeat the last step to taper the other end of the pendant. Make sure you check the way the rings are sitting with the red and blue dots before you begin.

Step 7

To add the silver discs to the bottom of the pendant take an open ring and go through a silver disc and through the bottom ring of column 1. Add another in the same way to the bottom ring of column 5. Take another ring and add a disc and go through the bottom ring of column 2 and also the middle column, and close the ring. Add another disc in the same way this time with the bottom ring from the middle column and column 4. Add the last disc to the bottom ring of the middle column.

Step 8

To make the box chain bail add 2 rings to the ring at the top of the pendant in the middle column. Add another 2 rings to the last 2 rings. Take the last 2 rings and fold them back onto the pendant. One on each side, so the bottom rings folds back underneath and the top ring folds back on top. Part the 2 rings that are now out in front and take an open ring and go through the 2 rings that have been folded back, close the ring. Add another ring in the same place.

Step 9

Add 2 rings to the last 2 rings. Fold these 2 rings back as in the last step, one on each side. Part the 2 rings that are now out in front, take an open ring and go through the 2 folded back rings, and close the ring. Add another ring in the same place.

Step 10

Add one more box by repeating the last step.

Step 11

With the chalcedony stone and the wire make a wrapped loop. I like to use both ends of the wire to make a double loop and I use both ends to wrap the loops in place.

Step 12

Attach the stone to the ring that was folded back on top of the pendant in the very first box - this is shown with a red dot. Thread your chain into the 2 top loops of the pendant.

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