How To Bead A Necklace: Gemstone Statement Necklace

Want to try something new? Learn to make a beaded necklace! Making your own jewelry is fun and once you learn how to make a necklace, you can make wonderful jewelry gifts for your friends too!

This dramatic statement necklace is really just a simple bead stringing project. We made a video showing how we made this necklace step by step, from arranging the beads to adding the clasp. Follow along, then use the written instructions below to make your own. And remember while you are working on your necklace if you have any questions, leave us a comment below and we’ll reply. We’re here to help!

Video How-to: Bead A Gemstone Statement Necklace

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How To Bead A Necklace

Materials

7 large black agate beads, 20mm x 30mm
8 faceted rondelles, silver metallic, 8mm
14 faceted rondelles, black, 6mm
1 toggle clasp, silver-plated, 25mm diameter
2 crimp beads, silver-plated
2 crimp bead covers, silver-plated
2 wire guardians
Bead stringing wire, 19 strand, bright silver

Tools

Chain nose pliers
Wire snips (also called “flush cutters” or “wire cutters”)
Masking tape
Tape measure
Bead board (optional)

Steps

1. Arrange Your Beads
To create your necklace design, lay the beads out on a piece of felt or a bead board. The finished necklace will be 18.5? long including the clasp, so your beads will take up 16? of the necklace. We like to start by arranging the largest beads then fill in with smaller ones. For this necklace, we evenly spaced the agate beads, then filled in the spaces between the agate beads with alternating faceted rondelles –black, silver, black.

2. Slide On The Beads
Cut a 30″ length of bead stringing wire. To keep the beads from sliding off your necklace while you work, fold a piece of masking tape over the end of the wire. Start at one end of your arranged beads and slide the beads in the same order onto the wire one bead at a time. Easy!

3. Add The Clasp To One End
After you have added the last bead, slide a crimp bead onto the end of the wire followed by a wire guardian. (A wire guardian is a horseshoe shaped finding that protects the wire from being rubbed by the clasp. It is optional whether you want to use it.) Add one end of the toggle clasp and slide it into the curve of the wire guardian. Poke the end of the wire back through the crimp bead. Using the chain nose pliers, move the crimp bead up to the wire guardian and press the crimp bead flat. Slide the end of the wire through the first bead, then trim the end with the flush cutters. Cover the crimp bead with a crimp bead cover and press it closed with the chain nose pliers.

4. Add The Clasp To Other End
To finish the other end, remove the masking tape. Slide on a crimp, a wire guardian, and the other end of the toggle. Poke the end of the wire back through the crimp. Pull the wire taught to remove any loose space between the beads before pressing the crimp bead flat with the chain nose pliers. Slide the wire end through the first bead and trim the end. Cover the crimp with a crimp bead cover.

We hope you get hooked on jewelry making like we have! And remember, if you have any questions at all, just leave us a comment and we’ll reply. We love to help!
Cheers,
Jennifer & Kitty

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