Ask the Experts Attaching a Center-Drilled Pendant Q&A

What is the best way to attach a center-drilled pendant to a necklace?

- Michelle

There are several ways you can go about attaching a center-drilled pendant…here are a few options:

You can create a double-wrapped loop:

• Cut a 3-inch length of wire (gauge will depend on how large the hole is in the pendant. Work with the heaviest gauge possible)
• Hold a pair of round-nose pliers so the jaws are horizontal. Grip the wire with the tips of the pliers, about 1-1/2 inches down from one end.
• With your free hand, bend the tip of the wire to a 90 degree angle.
• Place the pliers into the angled section vertically so one barrel is above and one is below the wire. Bring the wire up and over the top barrel of the pliers so it is now facing down at angle.
• Reposition the pliers so they are horizontal again, with one barrel in the loop and one out and to the right. With chain- or flat-nose pliers, or your free hand, grasp the tip of the wire and direct it behind the length of wire extending below the loop you just created.
• Open the loop slightly and slip on your pendant; close the loop.
• Grip across the loop with a pair of chain-nose pliers, being as careful as you can to not grip the pendant at the same time. Grasp the tip of the wire with flat-nose pliers and wrap it around the straight length of wire above the pendant, making approximately three tightly-wound wraps. Trim any excess wire, then press in the cut end with chain-nose pliers.

For the second loop:

• Hold the round-nose pliers horizontally and grip the wire directly above the last wrap you just created.
• With your free hand, bend the tip of the wire to a 90 degree angle.
• Place the pliers into the angled section vertically so one barrel is above and one is below the wire. Bring the wire up and over the top barrel of the pliers so it is now facing down at angle.
• Reposition the pliers so they are horizontal again, with one barrel in the loop and one out and to the right. With chain- or flat-nose pliers, or your free hand, grasp the tip of the wire and direct it behind the length of wire extending below the loop you just created.
• Open the loop slightly and slip onto your necklace; close the loop.
• Grip across the loop with a pair of chain-nose pliers, being as careful as you can to not grip the necklace at the same time. Grasp the tip of the wire with flat-nose pliers and wrap it around the straight length of wire below the necklace, making approximately three tightly-wound wraps. Trim any excess wire, then press in the cut end with chain-nose pliers.

You can create a double simple loop:

Please note: you may need to adjust the size of the recommended loops depending on the pendant and the size of your necklace.

• Cut a 1-1/2 inch length of wire (gauge will depend on how large the hole is in the pendant. Work with the heaviest possible).
• Using round- or chain-nose pliers, grip the wire about 3/4 inches down from one end. Bend the wire to a 90 degree angle.
• Using wire cutters, trim the wire to 3/8 inches. Grip the end of the cut wire with the tip of the round-nose pliers; have very little wire peeking through the barrels of the pliers.
• Rotate your wrist away from your body, turning the wire into a loop. If necessary, adjust the loop so it is centered.
• Open the loop slightly and slip on your pendant; close the loop.

For the second loop:

• Using round- or chain-nose pliers, grip the wire above the pendant. Bend the wire to a 90 degree angle.
• Using wire cutters, trim the wire to 3/8 inches. Grip the end of the cut wire with the tip of the round-nose pliers; have very little wire peeking through the barrels of the pliers.
• Rotate your wrist away from your body, turning the wire into a loop. If necessary, adjust the loop so it is centered.
• Open the loop slightly and slip on your pendant; close the loop.

Another option would be to use a jump ring. Choose the heaviest one that can fit through the pendant hole and is large enough to fit through the pendant and over the necklace.

To open a jump ring, place a pair of chain- or flat-nose pliers on each side of the opening, with one pair positioned at 1:00 and the other at 11:00; open the jump ring by moving one pair of pliers away from you and holding the other one steady. Reverse the motion to close.