Retired - Captured Chalcedony Earrings

Note: Components and tools listed within this INSTRUCTIONS box and the printer-friendly PDF, if available, may have been discontinued since this project was published. Refer to the PURCHASE COMPONENTS and TOOLS AND OTHER SUPPLIES sections for current availability.

1. Cut a 6 inch length of 18 gauge gold wire. Straighten the wire with nylon jaw pliers if necessary.
2. Mold the wire into a rounded teardrop shape, using the 3/4 inch wooden dapping form as a circular mandrel (if you don't have a wooden mandrel, you can use another stiff round object, such as the cap of a lotion bottle). Your wire ends should cross at the top.
3. Using round nose pliers, grip one of the wire ends where they cross and create an upward bend. Make a simple wire loop, and cut off the excess wire with flush cutters. Take the other wire end and wrap it around the neck of the wire loop twice. Cut off the excess wire with flush cutters. Your wire teardrop frame should be about 1 1/2 inches tall including the loop.
4. Place the teardrop component on your metal bench block. Holding the piece with the wrapped wire loop just off the side of the bench block, use a chasing hammer to hammer only the rounded teardrop area, to slightly flatten and texturize the wire. Since the piece has been evenly hammered, set it aside.
5. Cut a 14 inch length of 26 gauge gold wire.
6. Watch our video on how to wire wrap rows of beads onto a form. Make four wraps to anchor the wire about 1/2 inch from the neck of the teardrop. Then string your chalcedony briolette and bring the wire across the front of the frame. Make four more wraps on the other side of the frame, wrapping upward toward the top. On your fourth wrap, bring the wire downward in back of the piece and make two more wraps below the coil you just created.
7. Next, watch our video on how to do over-under basket weave wire wrapping. You'll be using a modified version of this technique to finish wire wrapping the briolette.
8. With your wire coming out from the back of the frame, bring it in front of the chalcedony briolette and then back behind the frame on the other side. Wrap it once around the side of the frame. Then with your wire coming around the front of the frame, bring it behind the briolette and then back in front of the frame on the other side. Wrap it once around the side of the frame.
9. Repeat step 8 three more times, so the wire crosses over the briolette four times in front and four times in back. You can use your fingernail to shape the wire wraps so they are evenly spaced across the gemstone. When you finish wire wrapping, cut off the excess wire with flush cutters.
10. Open a 4mm jump ring. Slide it through the loop at the top of the wire frame, and also slide on the loop of one earring hook, making sure the hook is facing forward. Close the jump ring.
11. Enjoy your earrings!

• SPCH-214 - Green Chalcedony Gemstone Beads, Faceted Heart Briolette 10mm, 4 Pieces, Aqua
  Project uses 2 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• WNT-1833 - Beadsmith Tarnish Resistant Gold Color Copper Wire 18 Gauge 10 Yards (9.1 Meters)
  Project uses 1 foot. You will need 1 package.


• WNT-2633 - Beadsmith Tarnish Resistant Gold Color Copper Wire 26 Gauge 34 Yards (31 Meters)
  Project uses 28 inches. You will need 1 package.


• FEA-3037 - Gold Plated Sleek Tapered Round Earring Hooks (10)
  Project uses 2 pieces. You will need 1 package.


• FJR-5240 - 22K Gold Plated Open Jump Rings 4mm 21 Gauge (x100)
  Project uses 2 pieces. You will need 1 package.

• XTL-5511 - Beadsmith Jeweller's Micro Pliers Chain Nose Flat Nose
• XTL-5514 - Beadsmith Jewelry Fine Round Nose Micro Pliers
• XTL-5600 - Xuron Sharp Flush Cutter Pliers - Wire/Soft Flex
• XTL-0074 - Eurotool Nylon Jaw Pliers Chain Nose- For Scratch-Free Wire Work
• XTL-0259 - Domed Wooden Dapping Shaping Forms in Assorted Sizes for Metal
• XTL-2152 - Beadsmith Jeweler's Chasing Hammer - 1 Inch Head - Metal Smithing
• XTL-0250 - Eurotool Bench Block Helper - Rubber Base With Interchangeable Steel And Nylon Blocks