Single-Strand Necklace with Labradorite Gemstone Beads, Wirework and Crystal Passions® Beads

Cut an 18-inch length of half-hard, 18-gauge sterling silver wire.

Gently bend the center of the wire into a wide curve. Continue to bend each end of the wire toward and across each other to create a circle with an inside diameter of approximately 1-1/2 inches.

Approximately two inches from the crossed wire ends of the circle, gently curve one end of the wire. Continue to shape the wire to create a circle with an inside diameter of approximately 1-1/8 inches. Move the wire end away from the two circles.

Repeat with the opposite end of the wire to create a smaller circle on the opposite side of the center circle.

Gently shape the wire between the circles into a slight wave. Also, add a slight wave to the ends of the wire.

Cut three 6-inch lengths of dead-soft, 26-gauge sterling silver wire.

Center a length of 26-gauge wire underneath the crossed junction of the wires at the top of the large circle. Tightly wrap the ends of the wire around the crossed 18-gauge wires to secure. Continue to wrap one end of the wire tightly. Then wrap the other end of the wire in the opposite direction. Trim any excess wrapping wire.

Repeat at the crossed junctions at the top of the smaller circles.

Create a simple loop at each end of the wire, perpendicular to the focal circles.

Avoiding the wrapped connections and simple loops, hammer the circles and waves of the focal with the ball head of a hammer to add texture.

Copper Spirals

Cut two 7-inch lengths of 18-gauge copper wire.

Create a spiral at one end of a length of wire that is approximately 10mm in diameter.

Starting at the opposite end of the wire, create a spiral in the opposite direction that is approximately 15mm in diameter.

Compare the S-spirals to the space between a small and the large silver circles of the focal. The outer edges of the larger spiral should slightly overlap both circles and the top wave while the smaller spiral should overlap both circles at the bottom of the focal. Adjust the size and position of the S-spiral as needed.

Repeat to create a second copper S-spiral.

Gently hammer both S-spirals flat with the flat head of a hammer the use sanding pads to create a satin finish.

Cut four 6-inch lengths of 26-gauge sterling silver wire.

Hold one S-spiral in place, as described in Step 10. Wrap one length of 26-gauge wire to secure the top of the spiral to the wave of the focal. Trim any excess wire.

Wrap a second length of wire to secure the outer edge of the small spiral to the smaller circle. Trim any excess wire.

Repeat to attach the second S-spiral between the center circle and the opposite smaller circle.

Adding Beads

Cut three 8-inch lengths of 26-gauge sterling silver wire.

Tightly wrap one end of a length of wire around the outer edge of a small circle, at the 9-o-clock position, three times.

String a 3mm bicone, a 25mm labradorite bead and a 3mm bicone. Hold the beads in the center of the circle and tightly wrap around the opposite edge to secure. Trim any excess wrapping wire.

Repeat to embellish the center of the second smaller circle.

Tightly wrap one end of a length of wire around the edge of the center circle, at the 9-o-clock position, and the overlapping spiral three times.

String a 4mm bicone, a 30mm labradorite bead and a 4mm bicone. Hold the beads in the center of the circle and tightly wrap around the opposite edge to secure. Trim any excess wrapping wire.

Assembly

Cut a 16-inch, 1.2mm omega chain in half.

Insert one cut end of the chain into a crimp end then flatten to secure. Repeat to add a crimp end to the second cut end of the chain.

Attach one simple loop of the focal to the loop of one crimp end. Repeat to attach the opposite half of the focal to the opposite side of the chain.