Multi Gemstone Necklace

by Judy Larson

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

I love looking around the wirejewelry.com website. When I came across these beautiful gemstone connectors, I decided to purchase two of each so I could make a long multi-gemstone necklace for both my daughters. However, I loved this necklace so much that I kept both for myself to wear together. Sorry, girls!

Following these directions, this approximately 64" long necklace could be worn looped around three times with no clasp. Change the length of chain, the type, shape and number of beads used, and the metal chosen to make a completely different necklace.

Materials

Sterling Silver Bezel Connector Amethyst Pear 10x7mm - Pack of 1

K4-72

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.92
Gold Club Price: $2.19

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Sterling Silver Bezel Connector Black Spinel Pear 10X7mm - Pack of 1

K4-73

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.78
Gold Club Price: $2.09

Out of Stock

Sterling Silver Bezel Connector Carnelian Pear 10X7mm - Pack of 1

K4-74

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.76
Gold Club Price: $2.07

Out of Stock

Sterling Silver Bezel Connector Clear Quartz Pear 10X7mm - Pack of 1

K4-75

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.98
Gold Club Price: $2.24

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Sterling Silver Bezel Connector Green Onyx Pear 10X7mm - Pack of 1

K4-76

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.86
Gold Club Price: $2.15

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Sterling Silver Bezel Connector Labradorite Pear 10X7mm - Pack of 1

K4-77

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.92
Gold Club Price: $2.19

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Sterling Silver Bezel Connector Lemon Topaz Pear 10X7mm - Pack of 1

K4-78

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.80
Gold Club Price: $2.10

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Sterling Silver Bezel Connector Mother of Pearl Pear 10x7mm - Pack of 1

K4-79

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.92
Gold Club Price: $2.19

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Sterling Silver Bezel Connector Pyrite Pear 10X7mm - Pack of 1

K4-80

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.60
Gold Club Price: $1.95

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Sterling Silver Bezel Connector Rainbow Moonstone Pear 10X7mm - Pack of 1

K4-81

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.92
Gold Club Price: $2.19

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Sterling Silver Bezel Connector Rose Quartz Pear 10x7mm - Pack of 1

K4-82

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.92
Gold Club Price: $2.19

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Sterling Silver Bezel Connector Sea Green Chalcedony Pear 10X7mm - Pack of 1

K4-83

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.84
Gold Club Price: $2.13

Out of Stock

Sterling Silver Bezel Connector Smokey Quartz Pear 10X7mm - Pack of 1

K4-84

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.80
Gold Club Price: $2.10

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Sterling Silver Bezel Connector Turquoise Pear 10X7mm - Pack of 1

K4-85

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $2.80
Gold Club Price: $2.10

Out of Stock

Sterling Silver Cable Chain Oval 3X2.4mm - 10 Feet

C8-125U

Lesson Quantity: 44.00 inches
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $44.40
Gold Club Price: $33.30

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22 Gauge Square Half Hard .925 Sterling Silver Wire

H8-22SQH

Lesson Quantity: 8.00 feet
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 10FT
Price: $25.97
Gold Club Price: $19.48

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Tools

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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4.5 Inch Flat Nose Mini Pliers

G2-88

G2-88
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $4.97
Gold Club Price: $3.73

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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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Acculoop Precision Round Nose

PLR-741.00

PLR-741.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $18.97
Gold Club Price: $14.23

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Instructions

Step 1

You'll need two matching 4mm Swarovski beads for each link. Faceted round or bicone beads were paired with all but the mother-of-pearl link where a Swarovski pearl was used and the carnelian, where red-orange glass beads were used.
Read through the directions before beginning the project.

Each finished bead link will be approximately 1-5/8" (41mm) long when using components from the materials list. Set out the components in a manner pleasing to you. This is a great time to raid your stash for pretty beads to go with the teardrop connector links.

Judy Larson's Multi Gemstone Necklace - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Making Chain, Chain Making , Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, multi gemstone necklace

Step 2

Note: Steps 2 through 7 are for one link. Repeat for all the beads.
Cut two 3 ½" pieces of 22 gauge wire for each connector link. Do not worry about flush cutting the ends at this point.

Step 3

Grasp the center of one wire with the tips of a flat nose pliers. Bend one side down at about a 70 degree angle.

Step 4

Use the Acculoop precision round nose pliers to make a 2mm loop next to the bend using the wire bent down in Step 3.

Step 5

Slide the connector ring on one end of a bead onto the wire loop. Make two wraps with the wire tail, starting a wire wrapped loop. DO NOT cut the wire tail off at this point.

Step 6

Slide a 4mm bead on the wire. Use the tips of a very narrow flat nose or bent nose pliers pushed up against the bead to determine where to make the next bend. Bend the wire so the loop made in the next step will be in line with the wire wrapped loop made in Step 5.

Step 7

Use the Acculoop precision round nose pliers to make a 2mm loop next to the bend. DO NOT wrap the wire tail to finish a wire wrapped loop at this point.

Step 8

Repeat Steps 2 through 7 on the other end of the gemstone connector link. Make sure the loops are in line with each other.

Step 9

Repeat Steps 2 through 8 with all the gemstone connector links.

Step 10

Cut the chain into enough 3" sections to match the number of gemstone links being used. Here, the chain sections are about 3-1/8" long because the small links between the 2mmx3.5mm links would not fit on the 22 gauge wire used on the gemstone connector links. Note: When cutting the chain sections, discard the cut links in a scrap box to recycle later. Because the chain is delicate, cut links will not be strong enough to remain closed during wear

Step 11

Slide a chain end onto a loop on one end of each gemstone/Swarovski link. Make sure that the chain is attached to the same end of each link so the teardrop gemstone sections are all facing in the same direction after the necklace is finished. Make two wraps with the wire tail, starting a wire wrapped loop. DO NOT cut the wire tail off at this point.

Step 12

Adjust the wire wrap tails so each side of the Swarovski bead has an equal number of wraps. Be careful to not wrap the wires too tightly as the crystal bead may break. Trim the wire tails with the flush cutter. Use the tips of chain nose pliers to press the cut wire ends in.

Step 13

At this point, adjustments can be made in the color positioning of the beads. Here, it was decided to go with Light, Dark, Light, Dark, etc.

Step 14

Concentrate on the placement order and follow Steps 11 and 12 to connect the sections together.

Reviews

Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!