Classic Pearls Necklace

One of the most classic jewelry items is a string of pearls.  Historically, pearls were strung on silk thread in a color of silk that matched the shade of the pearls.  Between each pearl in the strand was a knot in the silk thread.  This made it rather time consuming to make an 18 inch strand of pearls.  The reason for the knot was simple.  The silk thread breaks.  With the newer bead stringing wire, you can avoid the problem of breakage.  Now the question is how to you retain the classic separation between the pearls?  In this project we will show how to string pearls on Soft Touch, the newest and most flexible bead stringing wire and yet retain the classic look of pearls.  We will also make a clasp for our necklace using our WigJig tools.

Classic Pearl Necklace

In the past, one tried to minimize contact between pearls and any metal because usually the metal was harder than the pearls and over time would erode the pearls.  With these new Swarovski Crystal Pearls, we can allow metal to touch the "crystal pearl" without worrying about destroying the glass pearls.

Pearl Bracelet

• 6 inches of 18G wire preferably 1/2 hard (necklace)
• 4 inches of 22 or 24G wire preferably 1/2 hard (necklace)
• 60 6mm Swarovski Crystal Pearls (necklace) (24 for bracelet)
• 60 1mm Crimp Beads (necklace) (24 for bracelet)
• 30 inches of Soft Touch bead stringing wire
• 2 2x2mm crimp beads (both)
• One commercial clasp (Bracelet)
• 2.5 inches fine chain (bracelet)

• Round Nose Pliers
• Flush Cutter
• Soft Flex Cutter
• Chain Nose or Bent Chain Nose Pliers (2)
• Any WigJig acrylic jig
• 2 metal pegs and two 3/16" Super Pegs
• Bead Crimping Pliers
• 30 minutes of free time

Pearl Necklace

Step 3:  Make a loop in one end of the wire using your round nose pliers (or step jaw pliers if you have them).

Step 6

Step 7

Step 9:  Now thread a 2x2mm crimp bead onto one end of the bead stringing wire.  Then wrap the wire through the closed loop in the one of the wire components that you made and back through the crimp bead.  When done, your piece should appear as shown at right.  Once the crimp bead is in place, crimp it closed using the jewelry making technique shown here.  Cut the excess wire off using your stainless steel wire cutters.

Step 9