Graduated necklaces are so elegant and classic. I wanted to create one that will retain a timeless feel while having a modern edge. So I pulled together some onyx, popped in some sterling silver, and added a little bling in the form of the Swarovski Xillion square rondelle. This is a modern take on a classic piece.
Shanna Steele, Auntie's Beads Designer
Instructions:
1. Take a 20 piece of beading wire and center your faceted rondelle on it. Then string the 10mm Xillion square rondelle. Put your bead stopper on the other side of the onyx rondelle.
2. String four 12mm onyx beads. Separate each one with a 4mm silver bead. You should have a total of 4 onyx beads and 3 silver beads. Follow that with an 8mm Xillion square rondelle.
3. Next string five 10mm onyx beads. Separate each one with a 3mm silver bead. You should have a total of 5 onyx beads and 4 silver beads. Follow that with a 6mm Xillion square rondelle.
4. Next string six 8mm onyx beads. Separate each onyx bead with a 3mm silver bead. You should have a total of 6 onyx beads and 5 silver beads. Follow that with a 6mm Xillion square rondelle.
5. String the following: 8mm onyx, 6mm onyx, 5mm silver, 4mm silver, and a crimp bead. Run your wire through either your clasp or your 2 inch piece of chain. Then run your wire back down through the crimp bead and a the silver beads. Use your Crimper tool to secure the crimp bead. Use your Nipper tool to trim excess wire.
6. If using a crimp cover, pick it up with the outermost groove of your Crimper tool and place it over the crimp bead. Gently close the crimp bead.
7. Remove your bead stopper. Add a 10mm Xillion square rondelle. Then repeat steps 2 through 6 to complete the other side of the necklace.
Materials and Tools Needed:
Onyx Faceted Rondelle, 12x15mm (1 piece)
Onyx Round Strand, 12mm (8 pieces)
Onyx Round Strand, 10mm (10 pieces)
Onyx Round Strand, 8 mm (14 pieces)
Onyx Round Strand, 6 mm (2 piece)
Swarovski Sterling Plate Xillion Square Rondelle, 10mm (2 pieces)
Swarovski Sterling Plate Xillion Square Rondelle, 8mm, Crystal (2 pieces)
Swarovski Sterling Plate Xillion Square Rondelle, 6mm, Crystal (4 pieces)
Sterling Silver Seamless Beads, 3mm, Bag of 25 (18 pieces)
Sterling Silver Seamless Beads, 4mm, Bag of 25 (8 pieces)
Sterling Silver Seamless Beads, 5mm, Bag of 10 (2 pieces)
Trigger Clasp, Sterling Silver, 13mm
Crimp Beads, Bag of 100, 2 x 2 mm (2 pieces)
Sterling Silver Open Bead Crimp Cover, 3.2 mm, Bag of 10 (2 pieces, optional)
Beadalon 49-strand Wire, 30 ft., .018 (about 20 inches)
2 inches of chain, such as Sterling Silver Interlocking Chain By the Foot (for extender)
Nipper Tool
Beadalon Designer Bead Crimper
Bead Stopper
