Shown here is a five Briolette necklace.  You may opt to only use three or wish to use seven.  To do this just make more or less loops on the base wire as desired.  The length of the wire given below is great for five Briolettes.  You may wish to adjust the length of the wire if you decide to use 3 or 7 Briolettes.

 I used Sterling Silver but this would be gorgeous made in 14k Gold Fill.

MATERIALS:

 10” of 20 ga round soft Sterling Silver wire

15” of 22 ga round soft Sterling Silver wire cut into five 3” lengths.

5 - 18mm Briolette beads

Sterling Silver clasp

Two 5” lengths of Sterling Silver chain with links large enough to slip over the 20 ga wire.

 NOTE: You may use shorter or longer lengths of chain for a more personal fit

These instructions make a 16” necklace

TOOLS:

Round nose pliers

Flush cutters

Chain nose pliers

Optional: flat nose pliers

You’ll also need a black fine tip marker

Step 1

To form your center loop, first measure your 10” wire to five inches and mark with a fine felt tip pen. 

Step 2

Place your round nose pliers directly over the center of the mark you just made. 

I used the larger part of the jaw but for smaller loops just grasp your wire further down on the pliers jaw.  Be sure to put a little mark with your marking pen so your loops will be uniform.

Step 3

Bring your wire ends up and around your pliers jaw crossing over to form the loop.

Step 4

Now  measure one inch from the top center of your loop (where the wires cross)  on each side and mark the wire.

Step 5

Center your round nose pliers over one of these side marks and bring the end of the wire around as far as you can then…..

Reposition your pliers to continue making your loop like shown below .

Step 6

Now repeat steps 5 and 6 for the other side of your wire

Step 7

You now have three complete loops.  Make one more loop on each side following steps 4 through 6

NOTE: If you only want three drops stop at this point.  You also may want to adjust the length of your main wire if only using three drops.

Step 8

Take one of your 3” wires and thread your briolette onto it until about ½” protrudes from the opposite side.  Bend your longer end up and then form another bend centered over the point of your bead.  Take the short end of your wire and bend up and over the long stem wire.

Step 9

Trim this short wire as needed and snug with your chain nose pliers.

Step 10

Make a loop on your long wire about a ¼” up from the wires at the top of your bead.  Wrap the end of this wire around until you reach the top of the other wires.

Your finished bead should look something like this.

Step 11

Complete the rest of your beads in the same way.

Step 12

Now we’re ready to thread the completed briolette beads onto the main wire. 

Take one of your beads and thread it onto the end of your wire.  When you come to the loop simply push it between the two crossing wires.  Bring it on around the loop and out the other side.  Proceed to your next loop and repeat this step.  When you get to the center loop stop once the bead is into the loop.

Step 12 (continued)

Step 12 (continued)

Repeat the first two parts of step 13 for the rest of your beads.

Once all your beads are on the loops your piece will look like this.

Step 13

Measure down about an inch from the end of your main wire and make a turn as shown here.  Repeat on the other side.

Step 14

Your collarette will now look like this and you’re ready to add your chain.

NOTE: If you plan on tumble polishing do it now, before you add the chain or you’ll have a tangled mess.

Step 15

Slip an end link onto your wire and make a curl on the tip.  Repeat on the other side.  Add your clasp and your done.