By Naomi Fujimoto

SHARE IT

Triple strand turquoise

Pyrite and gunmetal play up the veining in these bright, organic slabs and make the jewelry a great year-round option.

Download & Print this PDF

Slabs vary widely in size and shape, so pick a pair for earrings before you make a necklace or bracelet.

I never get tired of turquoise, and now there are more varieties than ever.

SUPPLIES

necklace 16 1/2 in. (41.9 cm)

2 16-in. (41 cm) strand 20–35 mm turquoise slabs
13–18 2–3 mm faceted pyrite rondelles
4 3 mm spacers
flexible beading wire, .014 or. 015
30–33 in. (76–84 cm) chain, 16–18 mm links
5 2 1/2-in. (6.4 cm) head pins
2 12 mm jump rings
4 mm jump ring
4 crimp beads
lobster claw clasp
chainnose and roundnose pliers
diagonal wire cutters
crimping pliers (optional)

bracelet

6–7 20–35 mm turquoise slabs
5–6 2–3 mm faceted pyrite rondelles
2 3 mm spacers
flexible beading wire, .014 or .015
6–8 in. (15–20 cm) chain, 16–18 mm links
2 1/2-in. (6.4 cm) head pin
8 mm jump ring
2 crimp beads
lobster claw clasp
chainnose and roundnose pliers
diagonal wire cutters
crimping pliers (optional)

earrings

2 20–35 mm turquoise slabs
8 in. (20 cm) 24-gauge wire
7–9 in. (18–23 cm) chain, 2 mm links
pair of earring wires
chainnose and roundnose pliers
diagonal wire cutters

INSTRUCTIONS

Necklace

1. Cut a 14–16-in. (36–41 cm) piece of beading wire. String a slab and a rondelle. Repeat until the strand is 7–8 in. (18–20 cm), ending with a slab. String a second strand 8–9 in. (20–23 cm) long.

2. Cut a 6–7-in. (15–18 cm) piece of chain. On one end of a beaded strand, string a crimp bead, a spacer, and an end link. Go back through the beads just strung, tighten the wire, and crimp the crimp bead. Trim the excess wire. Repeat for the second beaded strand.

3. On the other end of each strand, string a crimp bead, a spacer, and a 12 mm jump ring.

Check the fit, and add or remove beads if necessary. Go back through the beads just strung, tighten the wire, and crimp the crimp bead. Trim the excess wire.

4. Cut a 16–18-in. (41–46 cm) piece of chain. Open the jump ring of a beaded strand. Attach the chain end of the other beaded strand and an end link of the long chain. Close the jump ring. On the other side, use the jump ring to attach the strands.

5. Use a 4 mm jump ring to attach a lobster claw clasp and one of the 12 mm jump rings.

6. On a head pin, string a nugget. Make the first half of a wrapped loop. Make five units. On each bead-and-chain strand, attach a nugget unit and a link. Complete the wraps. Attach the remaining nugget units and the long chain.

Bracelet

1. Follow steps 1 to 3 of the necklace to make a beaded strand.

2. Open the jump ring and attach a lobster claw clasp. Close the jump ring.

3. On a head pin, string a slab. Make the first half of a wrapped loop. Attach the end link and complete the wraps.

If you like the asymmetrical look, you can also wear the bracelet as a choker.

Earrings

1. For each earring: Cut a 4-in. (10 cm) piece of wire. String a slab and make a set of wraps above it.

2. Cut three 1–11⁄2-in. (2.5–3.8 cm) pieces of chain. On the wire, string an end link of each chain. Make the first half of a wrapped loop.

3. Attach the loop of an earring wire and complete the wraps.

FIND MORE: necklaces , earrings , bracelets , stringing , stone

Do you beading?

Then you’ll want to subscribe to Bead&Button magazine! You’ll get exclusive projects, gorgeous design inspirations, helpful advice about new products, and much more!

Triple strand turquoise

Want to leave a comment?