DIY | Jewellery with Chains

I’ve put together a small new collection of earrings, necklaces and bracelets built around the theme of chains.

For these designs, I’ve used half‑drilled pearls, teardrops and a selection of pendants.

All pieces can also be made in sterling silver.

Bracelet with cable chain and charms

For this bracelet, the following materials were used:

16cm cable chain, gilded, 50cm
1 pc. half-drilled bead, green amethyst
1 pc. half-drilled bead, coral, 6mm
1 pc. half-drilled bead, emerald,  6mm. (Unfortunatelly, this item is discontinued. You can find other half-drilled beads here.)
3 pcs. bail, cup with peg, gilded silver
1 pc. elephant with eye, gilded brass
1 pc. dragonfly with eye, gilded brass
7 pcs. jumpring, gilded silver, 3mm
2 pcs. jumpring, gilded silver, 4mm
1 pc. lobster claw clasp, gilded silver, 9mm
5cm cable chain, jumprings, wire
1 pc. gilded sphere pendant with eye, 3mm
+ adhesive

Begin by gluing the bails onto the half‑drilled beads. Next, decide where on the bracelet the beads should hang, and attach them using a 3 mm jumpring.

Then choose the positions for the pendants. Use two 3 mm jumprings for each pendant so they will face the right way when worn.

Finally, attach the lobster‑claw clasp to one end of the chain with a 4 mm jumpring. On the opposite end, fasten the short cable chain with another 4 mm jumpring. This small chain allows you to adjust the length of the bracelet.

Earthreads with crystal teardrops

For these earthreads, we used the following DIY components:

2 pcs. half-drilled teardrop, green

2 pcs. bail, cup with peg, gilded silver
1 pair earthreads with loop and peg, 12cm
+ adhesive

Begin by gluing the bail onto the teardrop. Before you start, check that the bail isn’t too long; if it is, trim it down to the desired length.

If the eye on the earwire cannot be opened by hand, you’ll need to cut it open. Take care not to break the eye in the process. Insert the teardrop and close the eye again.

If you prefer not to cut into the eye, you can instead use a 3 mm jumpring as the connection.

Earthreads with chalcedony

For these earthreads, the following materials were used:

2 pcs. half-drilled teardrop, emerald (Discontinued. You can find alternative products here)

2 pcs. bail, cup with peg, gilded silver
2 pcs. earthreads with loop and peg, 12cm
+ adhesive

Follow the same steps as above. Begin by gluing the bail onto the teardrop. Before you start, check that the bail isn’t too long; if it is, trim it down to the desired length.

If the eye on the earwire cannot be opened by hand, you’ll need to cut it open. Take care not to break the eye while doing so. Insert the teardrop and close the eye again.

If you prefer not to cut into the eye, you can use a 3 mm jumpring as the connection instead.

Necklace with bird pendant

For this necklace, the following materials were used:

ca. 60cm cable chain, gilded (dublé)
1 pc. gilded brass charm bird
1 pc. jumpring, gilded silver, 3mm

Start by threading the chain through the bird’s eyelet. Close the chain with a jumpring. This cable chain is long enough to slip comfortably over your head. If you prefer to use a shorter chain, you’ll need to add a clasp or other fastening mechanism.

Necklace with butterfly pendant

For this necklace, the following materials were used:

ca. 60cm cable chain, gilded (doublé)

1 pc. butterfly charm, gilded brass
1 pc. jumpring, gilded silver, 3mm

Follow the same steps as above. Start by threading the chain through the butterfly’s eye. Close the chain with a jumpring. This cable chain is long enough to slip comfortably over your head. If you prefer to use a shorter chain, you’ll need to add a clasp or another fastening mechanism.

Necklace with puzzle piece

For this necklace, we used the following DIY jewellery components:

ca. 60cm cable chain, gilded (doublé)
1 pc. puzzle piece pendant, gilded brass
1 pc. jumpring, gilded silver, 3mm

Follow the same steps as above. Start by threading the chain through the puzzle piece’s eye. Close the chain with a jumpring. This cable chain is long enough to slip comfortably over your head. If you prefer to use a shorter chain, you’ll need to add a clasp or another fastening mechanism.

Enjoy your new jewellery!

For questions, comments or suggestions – please write in the commentary field below.