Sometimes the simplest necklace is the easiest to wear, and this Floating Crystal Necklace is no exception! The mix of smoky, clear, and silver beads give it an ethereal look. And the way they’re attached to the wire makes them appear to be floating. Such a simple design—and a cinch to make!

Here’s a step-by-step video tutorial that will show you how to make this necklace from start to finish. You can watch us make the necklace first, then follow the instructions below to make one yourself. With this project, it’s all about the crimp beads. They are magic!

How To Make A Floating Crystal Necklace

Materials

9 Rectangular faceted crystals, smoke A/B, 8mm x 4mm x 4mm
10 Faceted crystal rondelles, clear A/B, 3mm x 2mm
20 Faceted crystal rondelles, silver, 2mm x 1mm
42 Crimp beads, silver, size #1
2 Clamshell bead tips, silver
1 Lobster clasp with jump ring, silver
19-Strand bead stringing wire, silver

Tools

Chain-nose pliers
Round-nose pliers
Wire cutters
Ruler

Finished Length 16.5″

Steps

1. Cut a 20” piece of bead stringing wire using the wire cutters. Feed a rectangle crystal onto the wire and slide it to the center. Find the center by lining up the ends of the wire.

2. Slide a crimp bead onto the wire and up to the bead.

3. Use the chain-nose pliers to flatten the crimp so it stays in place.

4. Slide a second crimp bead onto the other end of the wire and up to the bead. Use the chain-nose pliers to flatten the crimp bead. The bead should now be firmly in place.

5. Slide on a crimp bead and measure 10mm from the crimp bead you flattened next to the bead. Use the chain-nose pliers to flatten the crimp bead onto the wire.

6. Next slide on a small rondelle, a medium rondelle, and a small rondelle. Then slide on another crimp bead and flatten it in place.

7. Measure 10mm from the last crimp bead. Slide on a crimp bead and flatten it. Next slide on rectangle crystal. Slide a crimp bead onto the wire up to the bead and use the chain-nose pliers to flatten the crimp bead. Continue adding beads and crimps to both sides of the necklace until you have all the beads on. (Add more beads and crimps if you’d like to make your necklace longer.)

8. To finish the ends, feed one end of the wire up through the bottom of a clamshell bead tip.

9. Then slide on a crimp bead and measure 10mm from the last crimp bead.

10. Flatten the crimp bead in place using the chain-nose pliers.

11. Trim the end of the wire with the wire cutters.

12. Slide the clamshell bead tip up and over the flattened crimp bead. Use the chain-nose pliers to gently press the clamshell closed.

13. Hang the lobster clasp from the clamshell loop. Rotate the loop closed with the chain-nose pliers.

14. Repeat to finish the other end of the necklace. To do this, feed wire up into a clamshell bead tip, then feed on a crimp bead. Measure 10mm from the last crimp bead. Flatten the crimp there and trim the wire. Slide the clamshell bead tip up and over the crimp bead. Press the clamshell closed with the chain-nose pliers.

15. Hang the jump ring from the lobster clasp from the clamshell loop. Then use the chain-nose pliers to rotate the loop closed.

We love the way the beads look like they’re floating! Isn’t it magical? Have you ever made an illusion necklace? Let us know! And let us know if you make this Floating Crystal Necklace. We love hearing from you!

Happy Crafting,
Jennifer & Kitty