Single-Strand Necklace and Earring Set with Blue Apatite Gemstone Beads and Wirework

Cut the following:

• One 10-inch length of sterling silver-filled 20-gauge dead-soft wire
• Three 4-inch lengths of sterling silver-filled 24-gauge half-hard wire
• Three 4-inch lengths of sterling silver-filled 28-gauge half-hard wire

Form a small spiral on the end of the 10-inch length of wire. At the base of the spiral, form the wire into a rectangle approximately 1-1/2 x 1/2 inches with the spiral centered along a short edge curving in toward the center of the rectangle.

With the remaining tail of wire, form a "C" with an inside diameter large enough to fit a rose montée then form the remaining length into a spiral approximately 10mm in diameter in the opposite direction. Trim excess wire.

Place the wire component onto a steel block then use a hammer to flatten and texture the wire.

Wrap one end of a 4-inch length of 24-gauge wire twice around the flattened wire component near the bottom left corner but along the long edge.

String two rose montées onto the wire then curve the wire through the center of the rectangle and wrap twice around the left edge near the center. Trim excess wire.

Pass the second 4-inch length of 24-gauge wire through the other hole of the first rose montée from Step 4. Position the rose montée so it is suspended in the bottom left corner of the rectangle then wrap the end of the wire twice around the bottom edge of the rectangle.

Position the second rose montée from Step 4 so it is suspended roughly in the center of the rectangle then pass the long end of the wire through the other hole of the rose montée. Continue to curve the wire up to the top left corner of the rectangle then wrap twice around the rectangle. Trim excess wire from both ends.

Wrap one end of one 4-inch length of 28-gauge wire twice around the rectangle along the bottom edge. String a blue apatite nugget onto the wire, suspending the nugget in the bottom right corner of the rectangle, then wrap the wire twice around the right edge of the rectangle. Trim excess wire.

Wrap one end of a second length of 28-gauge wire twice around the rectangle near the top left corner. String a blue apatite nugget onto the wire, suspending the nugget below the inner spiral then wrap the end of the wire around the left edge of the rectangle. Trim excess wire.

String a rose montée onto a 4-inch length of 28-gauge wire. Position the rose montée so it is suspended within the "C" of the top part of the hammered wire component then wrap the ends twice around the top and bottom of the C. Trim excess wire.

Using the remaining 4-inch length of 28-gauge wire, form the wire into a U-shape. String two jump rings onto the wire then wrap both ends of the wire twice around the top spiral of the flattened wire component. Trim excess wire.

Attach a chain to the jump rings to complete the necklace.

Earring Instructions

Cut two 6-inch lengths of sterling silver-filled 24-gauge wire.

String one blue apatite nugget onto a head pin then form a simple loop. Repeat to create a second drop.

String one light turquoise rose montée onto one 6-inch length of wire. Form one end of the wire into a teardrop-shaped loop approximately 10x7mm then pass the wire through the rose montée again using the perpendicular hole.

Form the ends of the wire into a heart by taking one end and forming a small inward spiral approximately 1/4 inch from the rose montée then forming the larger part of the heart with the remaining tail of wire and wrapping it around the small spiral. Trim excess wire.

Attach an ear wire to the wire heart and a blue apatite drop to the teardrop loop.

Repeat Steps 3 - 5 to create a second earring.