Chained Fluorite Pendulum

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Technique: Working with chain and jump rings

This pattern was specifically designed to encase a natural fluorite octahedron crystal; however with a few adjustments, a "chained cage" could easily be configured to fit about any geometric shape with points. One such example is a pyrite cube. This pattern shows the chained crystal being used as a pendulum, but it could also be worn as a pendant or hung in a sunny window. (I am going to hang mine on our Christmas tree.)

Really, as all natural crystals are as unique as fingerprints, there is no "one way" to create a chained cage such as this example. Therefore I present the following directions as "inspiration."

Materials

• 1 piece, about 3", 21-gauge round half hard wire
• 1 octahedron fluorite crystal
• Chain
• 6 jump rings

Tools

• Chain Nose Pliers
• Flat Nose Pliers(or another pair of Chain nose pliers)
• Wire Cutters
• Ruler

Instructions

1. Choose a jump ring size that will best fit over the points on your crystal; you will need a minimum of 6. Attach one jump ring to the end of a length of chain. Place the jump ring at the crystal's point to determine how long the chain needs to be to reach the next "point."
   
   

2. Using the measurement in Step 1, cut four lengths of chain and open one jump ring.
   
   

3. Insert one end of each chain length onto the jump ring and close it firmly.
   
   

4. At the end of each attached length of chain, add one jump ring.
   
   

5. Place the main/bottom jump ring onto a crystal point and determine how long the next chain segments must be to reach the other end of the stone.
   
   

6. Cut four more pieces of chain at the length determined in Step 5. See Sherrie Lingerfelt's video on Cutting Equal Lengths of Jewelry Chain for tips!
   
   

7. Connect each of these new chain segments to one of the jump rings as shown.
   
   

8. Using the last/sixth jump ring, join all four of the new chain segments together. When all of the chains and jump rings have been connected, the results should resemble a cage.
   
   
   

9. Carefully fit the octahedral crystal into the chain, either by slipping a jump ring over each point, OR by running the chained jump rings along the sides of the stone.
   
   
   

10. On one end of chained cage, insert a curved piece of 21-gauge round half hard wire through two chain links that are diagonally opposite each other. Use this 21-gauge wire to make a figure-8 link, inserting a final piece of chain before wrapping the loop closed. Enjoy!
    
    
    
    
    

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