OK, it's months away to graduation — but let me tell you, you might be able to cram for your finals at the last minute, but do you want to leave something as important as jewelry to the last minute? Besides, you can wear this for Valentine's Day too, as an example of what you should have gotten. Amethyst is also February's birthstone.

Two different looks

The same basic components can be used to create two different looks. Here are 2 versions, one classic, one a little more updated.

Making your own jewelry gives you the option to customize completely — you can match the color of your dress, your eyes, your shoes, however you want to put together your look.

Crystals and pearls are classic — few looks are more enduring that the simplicity of the look of pearls and crystal. Use quality materials, and the next generation may well be wearing your creation for their graduation too!

For the simple floating necklace, you will need:

• 1 yard (more or less) of SoftTouch or Acculon, very fine
• 2 x 2mm metal beads
• 2 x clamshell tips
• 3 x 8 mm Swarovski™ crystal cubes (Lt. Amethyst AB)
• sterling daisy spacers
• 6 mm faux pearls, 16 inch strand
• sterling clasp with soldered jump rings

Note: this color combination of champagne pearls and light amethyst is stunning on fair skinned blondes. There is good reason for the enduring appeal of pearls when they flatter you this much!

Tools

• Wire cutters. This beading wire is actually light enough that you can cut it with scissors. But it doesn't do the scissors any good.
• Flat nose and round nose pliers

Start by stringing the center portion first. The full necklace and the floating necklace start the same way.

Note, when using cable or beading wire this fine, it will not take as much abuse as the thicker cables, so treat it a little more gently. Avoid running it over a sharp edge, as it can take on a curl, much like a curling ribbon and this curl will not come out! While the weight of the beads will hold the necklace in place while you are wearing it — if you are making the jewelry for sale, it will detract from the look of it when on display.

String:

• 1 8 mm Amethyst AB Cube in the middle,
• put a sterling daisy spacer on each side
• followed by Two pearls on each side
• Sterling daisy spacers on each side
• 1 8 mm Amethyst AB Cube on each side
• Daisy spacer on each side
• a Single pearl on each side
• and one more Daisy spacer on each side

Hold this up to your neck and see how it looks

This is an attractive look by itself, the light line gives the illusion of the beads floating on your skin.

If you want to stay with this look, then measure off the appropriate length and where to attach the clasp, then scroll down for the instructions on attaching the clasp.

Design hint: keep a mirror, like an old compact, with your beading supplies so you can see how your work is progressing and will look on you — rather than frequent trips to check your look in the bathroom mirror, and running the risk of dropping your half-finished work and scattering beads all over the floor and down the heat register — not speaking from personal experience, of course.

For the classic look

Continue adding:

• 2 pearls and 1 daisy spacer on each side until you have the right length, then add the clasp.

Attaching the clasp

For this necklace, we will be attaching the clasp using clamshell tips:

A clamshell is a finding that closes up like a clam, usually over a knot tied over a bead. It has a hook that you form into a loop for attaching the clasp, or what have you.

• Slide on a clamshell tip
• Add a small bead, knot the line securely around the bead, cut off the end
• Add a small drop of glue or clear nail varnish if you like to stop the knot from working loose.

• Close up clamshell tip
• Fold the clamshell closed over the bead, hiding the bead and the knot completely.
  Hold the clamshell tip securely between your thumb and forefinger, pulling tight on the line to keep the knot and bead combination seated in the cup of the clamshell. Then squeeze the clamshell closed gently with your pliers.
• Add half of clasp
• Form the hook up into a loop using your round nosed pliers to curl the loop over and meet it back up with the closed clamshell.

This style of sterling "S" clasp usually comes with 2 soldered jump rings. If not, you will need to buy some separately.

Attach one of the jump rings to the clamshell tip, leaving it attached permanently to the clasp. If you need to add the jump ring, twist open the clasp, add the jump ring, and twist closed.

For the other side of the clasp, twist other half of the hook open just enough to slide a jump ring on and off. You may pull the hook out a little from the main body of the clasp, so that it will lay flat. Do not pull it open and closed again, as this will weaken it and it will break.

Hope you enjoyed this project, and have a good time at the prom!

Here's one final picture, of the classic pearls being modeled by my oh-so-handsome friend.