Opalite Pendant

About This Design

Time:  Approximately 1 hour

Level of Difficulty:  All Levels (with Basic Wire Wrapping Knowledge)

Cost: Varies, depending on materials selected.  Approximately $20 as shown.

This delicate and pretty pendant features an opalite faceted focal bead with a dangling briolette, accented with sparkling clear crystals, hung on a pretty sterling chain.  You could vary this design and use any colors for your focal bead and crystals. 

Want to make this necklace, or a variation of it for yourself?  Let's get started!

Step 1

Gather Supplies

• 1 faceted Opalite rectangle or other focal bead
• 1 faceted Opalite briolette bead
• 6 clear Swarovski crystals
• 2 small round accent beads
• Bulk Sterling Silver Chain (style of choice).  I used fine chain, about 16 inches. Bulk chain on eBay
• Length of sterling silver half hard wire (I used 24G)
• Clasp of choice.  I used a sterling silver lobster claw clasp and an extender chain for the connecting end.

Need Supplies?  Check my Jewelry Supply pages to find what you need! 

Step 2

Craft the pendant component

We will use some sterling silver wire to  create the pendant.  We will start with the opalite briolette bead on the bottom.

Cut a length of silver wire, several inches long.  Slide the briolette bead onto the center of the wire, and fold the wire up on either side to meet in the middle.  Bend the ends of the wire up to meet in the middle at the top of the bead.  Follow my instructions for wire wrapping a briolette.  At the top of the stem, slide on the rectangle opalite focal bead, and we will close the top with a round loop.  Using round nose pliers make a round loop on the bottom of the wire.   If you need help learning to make a loop, follow these instructions.    

Step 3

Attach the pendant to the center wire.

Now we will use another length of half-hard sterling silver wire to complete the pendant section of the pendant.  Cut this wire about about 6 inches long.  First, make a round wire loop on one end of the wire, and before closing the loop, attach it to one length of sterling silver chain (one side of your necklace).  For example, if your necklace will be 16 inches long, cut two 8 inch lengths and attach one chain to either side of this pendant section.   If you need help learning to make a loop, follow these instructions.    

On the center wire, slide three crystal beads on either side of the focal pendant you made in the last step.  At the other end of the wire, make a closed wire loop, again attaching the second length of sterling silver chain to the loop prior to closing it. If you need help learning to make a loop, follow these instructions.    

Cut your length of chain to desired necklace length (remember the clasp will add additional length),  and then slide your pendant  onto the center of your chain.

Step 4

Attach clasp to chain ends

We are ready to attach the clasp and extender chain, but first we will add the two small beads to either end of the chain using silver wire.  Cut two more lengths of silver wire, about 4 inches long.  

On one end of the wire, make a round loop, and attach it to one end of the chain, and then close the loop so the wire is now securely attached to the chain.  Slide a bead onto the wire, then make a round loop and attach the clasp component, and close the loop.  

Repeat on the other side of the necklace to attach the extender chain. 

 
That's it, your new opalite bead pendant is ready to wear!