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Crystal Cross Necklace

by Dwyn Tomlinson


This charming crystal necklace would make an elegant gift that would be treasured by anyone. The main pendant cross hangs from a double bail for a balanced, and unique look. And, it is simple enough for any beginner to make. Using a bail is a good way to hang a pendant that would otherwise hang at sideways on the finished necklace.

Bail is the term for the loop that hangs a pendant.

Supplies List (to make the same necklace, but feel free to improvise!)

Tools

Attach the bails to the center cross pendant, and the donuts. Use the chain nose pliers to bend the arms of the bails. In order to get them to bend nicely, close to the bead hole — don't just flatten them, but curve them the pliers so that they fit nicely into the holes. They are also stronger this way.

Put two bails on the center cross pendant, both into the same hole.

String the cross on the softflex with a 6 mm bead between the two bails, and move to the center of the softflex cable.

 

On each side of the center, string,

  • 1 6 mm Swarovski faceted round
  • 1 8 mm Swarovski faceted round
  • 1 6 mm Swarovski faceted round
  • 1 donut on a bail
  • 1 6 mm Swarovski faceted round
  • 1 8 mm Swarovski faceted round
  • 1 6 mm Swarovski faceted round
  • 1 donut on a bail
  • 1 6 mm Swarovski faceted round
  • 1 8 mm Swarovski faceted round
  • 1 6 mm Swarovski faceted round
  • 1 4 mm sterling ball

then string

  • 1 4 mm round Swarovski faceted round
  • 1 6 mm round Swarovski faceted round
  • 1 4 mm round Swarovski faceted round
  • 1 4 mm sterling round

    repeat this 6 more times (for a total of 7 each side.)

  • Add 6 more 4 mm rounds (adjust here if you want to make longer or shorter.) This necklace is 17.5 inches, with this clasp.

  • Add 1 4 mm round sterling
    A 2 mm sterling crimp tube
    The soldered ring from the clasp

To get the jumpring off the clasp, as many of them come with the rings already installed, open the clasp by twisting it sideways to remove the rings.


click for a larger view

Thread back through the crimp tube, and snug the cable up tight, and crimp with the crimp pliers

Use a pair of crimp pliers (or chainnose pliers) to securely crush the crimp bead and fasten the end. It is important to crimp the bead so that there is an indent between the two pieces of cable.

To use crimp pliers, use the second hole (use it first) to crush the crimp bead and put in the indent. The first hole (using this is optional) folds the bead around itself for a neat finish.

To use the chainnose pliers instead of crimp pliers, start by threading the cable in the same way. Use the chainnose pliers to firmly squash the crimp bead. Then, using roundnose pliers, turn the pliers to lengthwise (with the cable,) and squash an indent between the two pieces of cable. Squash hard.

Repeat for the other side.

Thread the remaining Softflex wire through some of the beads, as many as possible, and cut off the tail end of the wire carefully (you don't want to cut the main wire and have to start again!).

Replace the ring on the clasp, bend one side up to hold the ring in place permanently, and the other out a little so that you can get the ring on and off.

And there you have it - an easy evening's project to make a truly elegant crystal necklace.


Copyright 2004 Dwyn Tomlinson, All Rights Reserved. Used with permission by the Beading Times. If you'd like to see a specific project or technique explained, just email me at dwyn@beadingtimes.com

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