Earrings with Spinel Gemstone Beads, Apatite Gemstone Beads and Metalwork

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Design Idea L52S

-- Designer --

Patti, Jewelry Designer, Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®

To learn more about Patti Miller, read her jewelry artist success story here.

: : : Materials : : :

Click here to view a full list of materials used in this design.

Please take the creative opportunity to select the products of your choice for this design, offered here at Fire Mountain Gems and Beads. Some materials may not be available or listed.

Inlay chip, neon apatite (natural), mini undrilled chip, Mohs hardness 5
Inlay chip, spinel (natural), mini undrilled chip, Mohs hardness 8
Jump ring, antique copper-plated brass, 6mm twisted round, 3.6mm inside diameter, 16 gauge
Bead, multi-spinel (natural), 3x1mm-4x2mm hand-cut faceted rondelle, B grade, Mohs hardness 8
Sheet, Lillypilly, copper, verde patina, 3-inch single-sided square, 24 gauge
Pliers, hole punch, carbon steel and plastic, black and blue, 5-1/2 inches with 1.8mm round punch
Chain, antique copper-plated brass, 2.5mm cable, 36 inches with S-hook clasp
Disc cutter, steel and wood, 3x3x1-inch base for cutting 13x12mm-24x23mm stars
Top coat, Signature Series Magic-Glos® by Lisa Pavelka, non-toxic dimensional gloss
Hammer, copper / steel / rubber, black, 12 inches with 30mm head, 16 ounces
Bead, apatite (natural), 6x4mm-7x5mm graduated hand-cut faceted briolette, B+ grade, Mohs hardness 5
Jump ring, antique copper-plated brass, 5mm round, 3.1mm inside diameter, 19 gauge
Wire, Zebra Wire™, silver-plated copper, round, 22 gauge
Wire, Zebra Wire™, natural copper, round, 26 gauge
Drop, antique silver-plated steel, 26mm wavy flat round
Ear wire, silver-plated brass, 17mm leverback with open loop

Instructions

Earring Instructions

Step 1

Cut the following:

Two 1-inch squares of verde patina copper sheet
Two 1/2 inch lengths of 2.5mm cable chain
Eight 4-inch lengths of 26-gauge copper wire
Two 8-inch lengths of 22-gauge silver-plated copper wire

Step 2

Using the 13x12mm and the 18.5x17.5mm star disc cutter, cut out two of each size stars from the two 1-inch squares of copper sheet. This will create two small and two large stars.

Punch a hole in the top of each of the large stars.

Step 3

On one 26mm wavy round drop, measure approximately 1/4 inch from the edge where the loop is. Lightly mark a wavy line across the drop.

Make an identical wavy line approximately 5mm above the first.

Step 4

Apply a small amount of Magic-Glos® top coat to the drop within the wavy lines.

Embellish the drop by pressing gemstone chips into the Magic-Glos: use neon apatite chips for the "water" (the area below the first wavy line) and spinel chips for within the second wavy line.

Step 5

Apply a small dab of Magic-Glos to the top front of the 26mm drop. Align a large star drop so that the arm with the hole is opposite to the hole in the drop and the base of that same arm is parallel to the top edge of the drop. Press the star to the drop, creating a link.

Set the link aside in direct sunlight or under a UV light to cure.

Step 6

Repeat Steps 3 - 5 to create a second embellished link.

Step 7

String one apatite briolette onto a length of 26-gauge wire then form a briolette wrapped loop. After trimming the first wrap, string one spinel rondelle onto the wire then finish with a wrapped loop.

Step 8

Create a briolette wrapped loop using one more apatite briolette and two spinel rondelles for a total of three more drops.

Tip: View our ''How to Make a Briolette Wrapped Loop'' how-to video and illustrated instructions for more information.

Step 9

Bend a length of 22-gauge silver-plated copper wire in half. Position one 13x12mm star at the bend in the wire then continue to wrap the star 3-4 times to secure. Finish with a wrapped loop then trim excess wire.

Step 10

Pass one twisted jump ring through the wrapped loop in the star drop then close.

Pass one smooth jump ring through the previous twisted jump ring and the end of one length of chain then close.

Pass one smooth jump ring through the opposite end of the chain, one spinel drop, one apatite and spinel drop and the hole in the 26mm round drop then close.

Step 11

Pass one twisted jump ring through the hole in the large star then close.

Pass one twisted jump ring through the previous twisted jump ring, one spinel drop, one apatite drop and one ear wire then close.

Step 12

Repeat Steps 7 - 11 to create a second earring.

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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.

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