Some of the most treasured gifts are the ones someone made with their own hands. If you have ever wanted to try jewelry making but felt unsure where to start, a simple gemstone pendant necklace is the perfect first project. It takes about an afternoon, needs only a few basic tools, and makes a thoughtful holiday gift for a friend, a sister, or a teacher. Here is how we would approach it using a few of the focal beads and charms we carry.
What makes a good first pendant project
A pendant necklace is forgiving. There is no complicated stringing pattern, no clasp to get exactly right on a bracelet, and only one or two components that need to hang neatly. The stone does most of the work. Pick a focal piece you love, give it a clean chain, and it already looks finished.
For beginners we suggest starting with a pendant that already has a loop or bail attached, then moving on to drilled focal beads once you are comfortable with a few wire basics.
Gemstone focals and charms to start with
These are the pieces in our Art and Craft Supplies collection we would reach for first.
- Gold-leafed amazonite shield focal, $7.20. A soft sea-green stone with a faceted face and gold leaf edging. Amazonite is traditionally associated with calm communication and honesty, and the color pairs nicely with gold or brass chain. Our amazonite shield focal pendant is an easy first piece because it is ready to hang.
- 14k gold-filled teardrop bezel charm, $3. A small multifaceted drop in milky white or peach, set in a gold-filled bezel. Our gold-filled teardrop charm works well on its own for a delicate look, or layered beside a larger focal.
- Labradorite faceted rectangle focals, set of two, $21.60. Labradorite is known for the flash of blue and green that appears when light hits it at an angle, and many people use it as a stone of intuition and new beginnings. Our labradorite rectangle focal beads come as a pair, so you can make one necklace for yourself and one to give.
- Labradorite fancy briolette focals, set of two, $24. A longer, more dramatic drop shape. These labradorite briolette focal beads are a good next step once you have made your first wire-wrapped loop.
Stock on the labradorite focals is limited, so if you have your heart set on them, we would not wait too long.
What else you will need
Besides the stone, a basic pendant needs only a few supplies, most of which you can find at any craft store.
- A finished chain, 16 to 20 inches for most adults
- A few jump rings in a matching metal
- Two pairs of flat-nose or chain-nose pliers
- For drilled focals, a short length of craft wire or a head pin and round-nose pliers
Putting it together
For a pendant with a loop, open a jump ring by twisting the two ends away from each other, never by pulling them apart. Slide on the pendant, slide on the chain, and twist the ring closed. That is the whole project.
For a drilled focal bead, thread a head pin or a piece of wire through the hole, bend it at a right angle just above the stone, and use round-nose pliers to form a small loop. Wrap the tail two or three times around the base of the loop, trim it, and tuck in the end. Your first loop may look a little uneven, and that is fine. By the third one, you will have the hang of it.
To layer, hang the teardrop charm on the same jump ring as a larger focal, or attach it a little higher on the chain for a gentle cluster.
Making it a gift
A homemade necklace feels even more personal with a short note about the stone. Our Little Book of Crystal Meanings is a printable guide you can download and print at home, then tuck a page about amazonite or labradorite into the gift box. If this is your first order with us, code WELCOME10 takes ten percent off orders over twenty-five dollars, which makes it easy to pick up enough pieces for several gifts at once.
We share crystal meanings as traditional associations, not as health advice. What we can promise is that a necklace someone made just for you carries a meaning of its own.
Have a question about bead sizes or which findings to pair with a focal? Send us a note and we are happy to help.