Earrings with Green Aventurine Gemstones and Sterling Silver Wire
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Design Idea RE2H
-- Designer --
Patti, Jewelry Designer, Exclusively for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads®
To learn more about Patti Miller, read her jewelry artist success story here.
: : : Materials : : :
Click here to view a full list of materials used in this design.
Please take the creative opportunity to select the products of your choice for this design, offered here at Fire Mountain Gems and Beads. Some materials may not be available or listed.
- Bead, green aventurine (natural), 4mm round, B grade, Mohs hardness 7
- Bead, green aventurine (natural), 6mm round, B grade, Mohs hardness 7
- Bead, antiqued sterling silver, 4x3mm beaded rondelle
- Bead, antiqued sterling silver, 5x1mm beaded flat rondelle
- Bead, antique copper-plated "pewter" (zinc-based alloy), 6x2mm double-sided beaded rondelle
- Wire, sterling silver, half-hard, round, 18 gauge
- Chain, sterling silver, 1.5mm figaro
- Head pin, sterling silver, 1-1/2 inches with 2mm ball, 24 gauge
- Jump ring, sterling silver, 5mm round, 3.4mm inside diameter, 20 gauge
- Ear wire, sterling silver, 16mm leverback with beaded design and loop
- Wire straightener, Artistic Wire®, nylon and steel, black and white, 1-3/4 x 1-1/2 inches
Instructions
Step 1
Cut the Wire and Chain
With a wire straightener, straighten 12 inches of 18-gauge sterling silver round half-hard wire, keeping it attached to the coil. Cut one 5.25-inch length of the wire.
Cut one 0.5-inch and one 0.75-inch section of 1.5mm sterling silver figaro chain.
Step 2
Create the Freeform Wire Shape
Using the largest part of the barrel of round nose pliers, make a half revolution at the end of the 5.25-inch length of 18-gauge wire. Grip the curve in the wire that you just made with the round nose pliers. Pull the wire gently around to make a loose loop beginning to spiral, with a diameter of about 16mm. Bring the free tail around again to form a second, slightly smaller loop to cross over the original curve in the tail, with the free tail now pointing upward. Use your thumb to make a gentle bend outward, then back in, in the wire just above the loops. With the remainder of the tail, make a gentle bend outward and inward in the opposite direction. Finish the tail with a simple loop. For instructions on creating a simple loop, view the "Making a Simple Loop" how-to video and illustrated instructions.
Step 3
Create the Dangles
Thread the following onto a 1.5-inch sterling silver 24-gauge ball pin:
- One aventurine 4mm round bead
- One sterling silver 5x1mm beaded rondelle
- One antique copper-plated “pewter” 6x2mm beaded rondelle
- One aventurine 6mm round bead
- One antiqued sterling silver 4x3mm beaded rondelle
Make a wrapped loop to finish the dangle, attaching it to the end of the 0.5-inch figaro chain. For instructions on creating a wrapped loop, view the "Secrets to a Wrapped Loop" how-to video and instructions.
Create a second dangle, as above, finishing it with a wrapped loop and attaching it to the 0.75-inch figaro chain.
Step 4
Assemble the Earring
Open a 5mm 20-gauge sterling silver jump ring. Add on a sterling silver leverback earring finding by the loop. Add on both dangles, then the loop of the freeform wire shape. Close the jump ring. For directions on how to close a jump ring, view the "Secrets to Opening and Closing Jump Rings" how-to video and instructions.
Step 5
Create a Second Earring
Follow all steps to create a second earring.
Have a question regarding this design idea? Email Customer Service.
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The pieces featured in the Gallery of Designs are copyrighted designs and are provided for inspiration only. We encourage you to substitute different colors, products and techniques to make the design your own.
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