Mystic Crystal Illusion Necklace

Illusion necklaces are incredibly elegant no matter what beads you use in your design. And they go together fast using one simple technique!

For this Mystic Crystal Illusion Necklace, we created a mystical color story featuring faceted crystal beads in a variety of shapes and sizes. We laid them out in a mirrored pattern on either side of one big, beautiful briolette! We love how the beads appear to float on the bead stringing wire through the magic of crimp beads. Our Pearl Illusion Necklace uses the same technique. So if you want to see how the beading and crimping is done, you can watch the video then follow the steps below to make your own.

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How To Make A Mystic Crystal Illusion Necklace

Materials

1 Faceted Swarovski flat crystal briolette, top-drilled, Vitrail Light*, 16mmx18mm
4 Faceted Swarovski flat crystal briolette, top-drilled, Vitrail Light, 12mmx13mm
4 Faceted crystal rondelles, light peach, 7mmx10mm
2 Faceted crystal rondelles, blue-gray, 8mmx10mm
2 Faceted crystal tyre beads, blue zircon AB, 5mmx8mm
2 Faceted crystal teardrops, drilled top to bottom, indigo, 9mmx13mm
32 Crimp beads, silver, size #1
2 Clamshell bead tips, silver
1 Lobster clasp, silver
2 Jump rings, silver, 5mm
19-Strand bead stringing wire, silver color

*Vitrail Light is a color effect that changes from teal to emerald to magenta to peach as you move the crystal in light.

Tools

Chain-nose pliers
Round-nose pliers
Wire cutters
Ruler
Index Card and Pen (Optional)

Finished Length 19″

STEPS

1. Start by cutting a 20″ piece of bead stringing wire using the wire cutters. Slide a crimp bead onto the wire followed by the large faceted briolette and another crimp bead. Move them to the center by lining up the ends of the wire. Flatten the crimp bead to the left of the briolette onto the bead-stringing wire using the chain-nose pliers. Slide the briolette and the second crimp bead right next to the flattened crimp. Use the chain-nose pliers to flatten the second crimp bead onto the wire. The flattened crimps will hold the bead in place on the wire.

2. Next, slide on another crimp bead and measure ¾” from the flattened crimp bead to the right of the briolette. (It helps to draw a little template on scrap paper for the measurement to make it fast and easy!) Flatten the crimp bead onto the wire at that ¾” point using the chain-nose pliers. Slide a light peach rondelle onto the wire and up next to the crimp you just flattened. Then slide on another crimp and flatten it onto the wire right next to the rondelle.

3. Measure ¾” from the crimp bead you just flattened. Slide on another crimp bead and flatten it at that ¾” point. Slide on a small briolette followed by a crimp bead. Use the chain-nose pliers to flatten the crimp bead right next to the briolette.

We alternated which side of the small briolette we faced out so the necklace appears to have a pink briolette and an emerald briolette on each side. But really all the small briolettes are the same beads with a different side facing forward. That’s how much the Vitrail Light color changes in the light!

4. Slide on another crimp bead and crimp it onto the wire ¾” from the last flattened crimp bead leaving ¾” of wire showing between the crimps. Slide on a blue-gray rondelle followed by a crimp bead. Use the chain-nose pliers to flatten the crimp bead right next to the rondelle.

5. Repeat this technique to add a crimp bead, a small briolette, and another crimp bead ¾” from the last bead and crimp.

6. Add a crimp bead, light peach rondelle, and another crimp bead ¾” from the last bead and crimp.

7. Add a crimp bead, an indigo teardrop, and another crimp bead ¾” from the last bead and crimp.

8. Finally slide on a crimp bead, a blue zircon tyre bead, and another crimp bead and fasten them onto the wire ¾” from the last bead and crimp.

9. Mirror the pattern to bead the other side of the necklace.

10. Feed one end of the bead stringing wire up through the bottom of a clamshell bead tip. Slide a crimp bead onto the wire and flatten it ¾” from the last flattened crimp. Trim the end of the wire with the wire cutters.

11. Next, slide the clamshell bead tip up and over the flattened crimp bead. Use the chain-nose pliers to press the clamshell closed so the flattened crimp is hidden inside.

12. Open a jump ring and slide it through the loops on the clamshell, then slide on the lobster clasp. Close the jump ring.

Here’s a video we made showing how to open and close a jump ring using two pairs of pliers:

Video How-to Open And Close A Jump Ring

13. To finish the other end of the necklace, feed the wire up into a clamshell bead tip followed by a crimp bead. Measure ¾” from the last flattened crimp and use the chain-nose pliers to flatten it at that spot on the wire. Trim the wire. Slide the clamshell bead tip up and over the crimp bead. Press the clamshell closed over the flattened crimp using the chain-nose pliers.

14. Open the other jump ring and attach it to the loops on the clamshell. Close the jump ring. This jump ring will act as the other side of the clasp.

Isn’t that gorgeous?! It’s all about mixing the colors and shapes of the faceted crystals. Let us know if you make a Mystic Crystal Illusion Necklace. Leave us a comment below. We’d love to hear from you!
Cheers,
Jennifer & Kitty