Yellow Turquoise Bracelet

About This Design

Time:  Approximately  30 minutes - 1 hour

Level of Difficulty:  Beginner - All Levels

Cost: Varies, depending on materials selected.  Approximately $20-30 as shown 

Want to make something big and bold in nice earthy colors? Inspired by the mossy green forests in Oregon, this beautiful yellow turquoise bracelet is rustic with it's gorgeous chunky yellow turquoise beads, set off with chartreuse oval jade beads,  gold and green lampwork glass beads, and silver details.  To complete the design and make this bracelet unique, it features a large dangle bead charm of smoky topaz,  with three Swarovski crystal bead accents.  

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

 Step 1

Gather your supplies

• Yellow turquoise beads (quantity will depend on size of beads). My beads were large nugget beads so I only needed four.   Yellow Turquoise Beads for sale on eBay
• Yellow-green accent beads (TIP - use a different size than your turquoise beads for a more interesting design.  I used colored jade in my design.  (quantity will depend on size of beads). Yellow Jade Beads for sale on eBay
• Lampwork glass accent beads (quantity will depend on size of beads). Yellow Lampwork Beads for sale on eBay
• Silver spacer beads. I used silver base metal rustic spacer beads.
• 1 smoky quartz (smoky topaz) nugget or briolette bead of choice.  I used a large, smoky topaz freeform nugget bead. Smoky Quartz Topaz Beads for sale on eBay
• 3 Swarovski cyrstal bicones (I used Jonquil color).  Swarovski Crystal Bicone Beads on eBay
• 3 headpins
• 1 closed (soldered) jumpring
• 2 crimp beads
• Length of flexible beading wire to fit the desired bracelet length, plus a couple extra inches to work with.
• 1 toggle clasp of choice (I used a rustic sterling silver toggle)

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

Step 2

String beads on wire

Tie a knot on one end of the wire, or place some tape over the end, and string all of your beads onto the wire.    Check the length and overall design and make adjustments by adding, removing, or re-positioning beads until you are happy with the look of the bracelet.  

You can make any design that you like, which will largely depend on the beads you selected for your design.   Try to alternate smaller beads with larger beads, and place silver spacer beads in-between each bead for more sparkle and interest.  My design used four large nugget beads, five jade beads, and eight lampwork spacer beads.

You can do this first on a bead design board if you prefer, but I always like to wrap a bracelet around my wrist just to check the look and fit.  Make sure you account for the added length of the clasp.  I spaced my beads to end up with a bracelet that was 7.5 inches long.

TIP - You can start a bracelet by attaching the clasp to one end first,  However, if you are unclear about your final design or the finished bracelet length, it is best to simply tie a knot or place some tape over the end of the jewelry wire, string your beads, and once you are happy with the design and length, attach the clasps to the ends.  This way, if you find you need to subtract or add beads you can just remove the tape or knot and work from either end without having to cut off your clasp and start the whole thing over!

Step 3 

Crimp ends and attach the clasp

Slide a crimp bead onto the wire, feed the wire through the clasp loop, then back through the crimp bead.  Pull the wire snug, and crimp the bead closed.   Follow the How to Use Crimp Beads instructions if you are not familiar with this technique.  Repeat on other side, making sure you pull the wire tight to beads before crimping.  

TIP -  Because this is a toggle clasp, you will want to leave a little "play" in the wire so the clasp is easy to put on, so leave a little room where the loop of wire attaches to the clasp.  Cut off remaining tails of wire with flush cutters.

TIP - As an option, try the new crimp bead covers to hide crimps for an even more finished look.

Step 4

Let's, prepare the smoky quartz charm drop bead.  Slide each crystal bead onto a headpin, and attach them with a closed wire loop to your soldered jumpring.  Next, slide the smoky quartz bead onto a headpin, and make a large wire loop at the top. Before closing the loop, attach the jumpring with crystals, and attach the entire beaded charm to the round part of your toggle clasp so it slides freely.     If you need help learning to make a loop, follow these instructions. 

If you are using a  top-drilled quartz bead, wire wrap these as you would a briolette bead.   Follow my instructions for wire wrapping a briolette to make a closed loop at the top.  

That's it! Your gorgeous new yellow turquoise bracelet is ready to wear!