Double-Strand Necklace with Gemstone Beads and Gold-Filled Beads, Chain and Wirework

STEP 1
Using the side-cutting pliers, cut a 3-inch length of 26-gauge wire. Thread on one iolite flat briolette then make a briolette wrapped loop to secure the crystal. Set this element aside.
STEP 2
Using side-cutting pliers, cut a 23-inch length of 14-gauge wire.
STEP 3
Place the round-nose pliers 2 inches down from one end of the 23-inch piece of 14-gauge wire. Create the first loop approximately 1-1/4 inches in diameter. Continue to curve the wire to make the second oval-shaped loop approximately 2 inches in length and the third oval-shaped loop approximately 2-3/4 inches in length, creating a nice curved wire element.
STEP 4
Using the remaining wire, positioned at the top of the element, form the wire into a figure eight, placing the first loop around the three wire loops made in Step 3, holding them in place. Form the second loop of the figure eight, creating a bail for hanging the pendant.

Using the diagonal cutters, cut the end of the wire at an angle. Using chain-nose pliers, gently tuck the end of the wire against the loop so there are no sharp ends sticking out.
STEP 5
Pass the 18-gauge wire under the loop of 14-gauge wire wrapped around the 3 larger loops. Form a loop in the 18-gauge wire, securing it to the pendant. Form a new loop that fits between the two largest loops in the pendant (approximately 2-1/4 inches in length). Pass the 18-gauge wire under the same loop of 14-gauge wire and form a loop positioned in front of the first loop made in the 18-gauge wire.
STEP 6
Cut a comfortable length of 34-gauge wire (1 yard is a good length to start with). Wrap one end of the 34-gauge wire around the smaller loop in the pendant, starting at the top. Wrap four to five times so it is secure. String onto the wire, one black diamond chip. Wrap the wire around the loop twice, string on another black diamond chip.

Continue to wrap the 34-gauge wire around the loop of wire and adding one bead at a time in the following order:
  • Two sapphire rondelles
  • Two ruby rondelles
  • Two emerald rondelles
  • Two black diamond chips
Repeat the pattern all the way around the loop. Wrap the end of the wire around the pendant loop to secure then trim any excess wire. Arrange the beads to sit on the inside of the loop.
STEP 7
Cut another length of 34-gauge wire. Wrap one end of the 34-gauge wire around the top of the second loop. Wrap four to five times to secure it in place. String onto the wire, one sapphire rondelle. Wrap the wire around the loop twice, string on one sapphire rondelle, wrap the wire around the loop twice, string on one sapphire rondelle.

Continue to wrap the 34-gauge wire around the second loop, adding one bead at a time in the following order, repeating, until the wire reaches the other end of the loop:
  • Three ruby rondelles
  • Three emerald rondelles
  • Three black diamond chips
  • Three sapphire rondelles
Wrap the wire around the pendant loop to secure. Trim any excess wire. Arrange the beads to sit on the inside of the loop.
STEP 8
Repeat Step 7, securing a length of 34-gauge wire to the third pendant loop, adding beads in the following order, repeating until the wire reaches the other end of the loop:
  • Three sapphire rondelles
  • Three ruby rondelles
  • Three emerald rondelles
  • Three black diamond chips
  • Three sapphire rondelles
Wrap the wire around the pendant loop to secure. Trim any excess wire. Arrange the beads to sit on the inside of the loop.
STEP 9
Repeat Step 7, securing a length of 34-gauge wire to the top of the largest loop.

Wrap the wire around the loop adding one black diamond chip between each wrap until the wire reaches the other end of the loop.

Wrap the wire around the pendant loop to secure. Trim any excess wire. Arrange the beads to sit on the inside of the loop.
STEP 10
Repeat Step 7, securing a length of 34-gauge wire to the center of the figure eight. String onto the wire, one emerald rondelle, one ruby rondelle, one sapphire rondelle, and one emerald rondelle. Loop the wire through the back of the loop.

Repeat Step 10 four times for a total of five times, alternating the rondelles and black diamond chips. Secure the wire at the bottom of the figure eight by wrapping the wire four to five times around the back of the main wire.
STEP 11
Using two pairs of chain-nose pliers, open a 4mm jump ring and pass it through the loop on the top of the briolette wrap. Close the jump ring. Open a 4.5mm jump ring and pass it through the 4mm jump ring. Close the jump ring.
STEP 12
Open a 4.5mm jump ring. Attach it to the 4.5mm jump ring from Step 11 and the back of the figure eight loop so the iolite dangle hangs in the center of the pendant. Close the jump ring.

First Strand

STEP 13
Using side-cutting pliers, cut one 17-inch length of gold-filled 2mm drawn flat cable chain.
STEP 14
Using two pairs of chain-nose pliers, open a 3mm jump ring. Pass the open ring through the first loop on one half of the clasp and the first link on one end of the 17-inch piece of 2mm drawn flat cable chain. Close the jump ring.
STEP 15
String on the top loop of the focal component created earlier. Repeat Step 14 to attach the last link of the chain to the first loop on the second half of the clasp.

Second Strand

STEP 16
Open a 4mm jump ring and add it to the second ring on one half of the clasp. Close the jump ring. Repeat, adding a jump ring to the other half of the clasp.
STEP 17
Using the side-cutting pliers, cut a 22-inch length of Accu-Flex® professional-quality beading wire. String onto the wire: one crimp bead, a 1/2 inch piece of French wire and the jump ring attached to the clasp in Step 16. Loop the beading wire back through the crimp bead. The French wire should be passing over the jump ring in a nicely curved tube. Pull the crimp tight against the French wire and the jump ring leaving one end of the wire approximately 1-inch long. Place a small amount of gel adhesive inside the crimp (optional).

Using the crimping pliers, crimp the crimp tube. Using side-cutting pliers, trim the excess wire from the short end of Accu-Flex®.
STEP 18
String onto the beading wire one of each of the following:
  • 3mm gold-filled bead
  • Emerald rondelle
  • Ruby rondelle
  • Sapphire rondelle
  • 3mm gold-filled bead
  • Emerald rondelle
  • Ruby rondelle
  • Sapphire rondelle
  • 3mm gold-filled bead
STEP 19
Continue stringing beads in the following order:
  • Three ruby rondelles
  • 3mm gold-filled bead
  • Three emerald rondelles
  • 3mm gold-filled bead
  • Three sapphire rondelles
  • 3mm gold-filled bead
Repeat Step 19 fourteen times for a total of 15 sets.
STEP 20
Continue stringing beads in the following order:
  • Three ruby rondelles
  • 3mm gold-filled bead
  • Three emerald rondelles
  • 3mm gold-filled bead
  • Sapphire rondelle
  • Ruby rondelle
  • Emerald rondelle
  • 3mm gold-filled bead
  • Sapphire rondelle
  • Ruby rondelle
  • Emerald rondelle
  • 3mm gold-filled bead
STEP 21
String on one crimp bead, a 1/2 inch piece of French wire and the jump ring attached to the second half of the clasp. Pass the beading wire back through the crimp and the 3mm gold-filled bead, then pull the wire snugly so the crimp and the French wire are closer to the clasp and there is no slack in the beading wire. Place a small amount of gel adhesive inside the crimp (optional).

Using the crimping pliers, crimp the crimp tube. Using wire nippers, trim any excess wire from the end.

: : : Additional Resources : : :

The pieces featured in the Gallery of Designs are copyrighted designs and are provided for inspiration only. We encourage you to substitute different colors, products and techniques to make the design your own.

Have a question regarding this design idea? Email Customer Service.