Pearl and Crystal Necklace Project

About This Design

Time:  Approximately 1-2 hours

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

Cost: Varies, depending on materials selected.  Approximately $25-35 as shown.

This is a feminine necklace and the cascades of crystal beads really sparkle and catch the light.  I have used an amazonite pear shaped briolette bead as a focal bead on the bottom, but you can use any bead you want in your design.  Want to make this necklace, or a variation of it for yourself?  Let's get started!

Step 1

Gather Supplies

Notes:  Decide how long you want your necklace to be.   I went for a standard 16 inch length, (less the added length for your choice of clasp).

• Fine sterling silver chain
• Clasp of your choice.  Here I am using extender chain with a lobster claw clasp in sterling silver
• 10 medium sized pearls of your choice
• 13 seed pearls
• 29 Swarovski crystals, or other tiny beads of your choice.
• 1 Focal Bead for the pendant.  Here I am using a genuine amazonite flat- pear briolette.
• Sterling silver wire for wrapping the briolette beads and attaching the pendant to the chain.  I use 24-26 gauge half-hard sterling silver wire, but use whatever wire you prefer as long as the wire diameter fits through your bead holes.
• 50 silver head pins

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

Step 2

Begin Pendant Bead

I am using a briolette bead.  Wire wrap the briolette, attach a pearl to the top.  If you aren't familiar with this technique, read How to Wire Wrap a Briolette for instructions.

Step 3

Attach Pendant

Attach the pendant to the center of your chain. Finish closing the wire wrap loop on the top of your pearl bead, and snip off end of wire.

Step 4

Prepare all your dangly beads

I have prepared all of my crystals and pearls with wire loops ahead of time, so they are ready to attach.

Step 5

Attach crystals to pendant

I attach four crystal dangly beads as accents to the top loop above the pearl bead.  This creates a nice "spray" of crystals as an accent to the pearl bead.

Step 6

Attach remaining pearls

Use a bead board or a ruler and determine the spacing of the pearls.  You will place four pearls on either side of the center pearl pendant.  Once you have determined the correct placement, attach your pearls to the chain.

Step 7

Attach remaining crystals and seed pearls

Attach 3 crystals to the loop at the top of each pearl, and attach one seed pearl bead.  This creates a nice "spray" at the top of each pearl.  You can add or subtract pearls and crystals to get the effect you want.

Step 8

Attach the clasps

Using wire, create a loop, place one seed pearl in the center, and create another loop.  Attach the chain to one end, and the extender chain or one side of your clasp to the other.

One the other side of the necklace, repeat this technique and attach the other side of your clasp.  In my example, I have attached a lobster claw clasp to one end, and an extender chain to the other.

Step 9

Finishing touch

If you have used a piece of bulk extender chain as I have, you will want to attach a final detail for decoration.  I have attached one more pearl with a crystal as a dangle off the end of my extender chain.  That's it!

Variations

This design is highly adaptable.  Use any focal bead you like in this pendant design.  A lampwork or dichroic glass bead would make a nice focal point.  Also, you don't need to use pearls.  You can completely change the look and feel of this design simply by using different beads.  Try coral and turquoise beads to get a more rustic look.  Try a focal shell bead for a casual summer look.  For a wedding design, find a wonderful center bead, perhaps a fine quality semi-precious gemstone (like blue topaz for "something blue"), and use white pearls and clear crystals.  You could make matching bridesmaids necklaces and use crystals and pearls that match the color of their gowns.

More Ideas

Here I have created  a matching set:

Make the bracelet

Make the earrings