Lovely Lapis Dangle Necklace

Royal blue with streaks of pyrite, who can resist beautiful lapis lazuli? I’ve been hoarding a few strands of these luscious stone beads which I purchased from South Pacific. Though I have already made one necklace for a special customer using these beads, I made sure I set aside some for myself. I finally decided to make my own lapis necklace using this dangle design.

To make one, you’ll need:

*16 inch sterling chain
8 - 6mm lapis beads
7 - 2 inch sterling head pins
1 ½ inches of sterling 20 gauge wire
round nosed pliers
flat/bent nosed pliers
wire cutters
jewelers’ files
ruler

*I used a finished chain that included the clasp. If you don’t use a finished chain, you’ll need to attach a clasp and jump ring to your chain. My chain is a figaro style, but you could use any type of chain you wish.

1. Start by make the dangle in the back of the necklace by filing both ends of your sterling wire.

2. Use round nosed pliers to curl one end of the wire, and roll the curl up a few times.

3. Slip on one 6mm lapis bead.

4. Bend the wire over.

5. Then use round nosed pliers to curl the bent part of the wire over.

6. Slip the piece onto the jump ring at the very end of your chain.

7. Keep the round nosed pliers inside the curled piece, and use bent nosed pliers to wrap the wire around itself.

Next Page->To make your other dangles & finish the necklace - includes a printer friendly link.

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All graphics created by Tammy Powley.

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