Tribal Gemstone Statement Necklace

Want a a beautiful, rustic tribal-looking gemstone statement necklace?

Posted by Shelly O.

About

I love the mix of vibrantly colored Imperial Jasper and antique brass. The sparkles of the crystals adds in just enough bling to add some interest to the piece.

I fell in love with a strand of top drilled, Imperial Jasper from my local Michael’s Craft Store. I think I may have gotten them some time last year. This strand was just one of those that jumped out to me. These usually run about $9.99, but you can always use your 40% off coupon or wait until they are on sale. Either way, they are well worth the price.

The little tassel bit was purchased just the other day again at my local Michael’s on clearance for a $1.99. I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it. You can easily create your own though. Adding in the blush colored Swarovski crystals added some sparkly contrast to the deepness of the antiqued brass and highlighting the striations of the Jasper.

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You Will Need (11 things)

  • 9 Top-drilled Gemstone Beads stick/slice
  • 11 3 mm Swarovski Crystals complementary colors to your gemstones
  • 1 Blue Moon Beads® Shortcuts™ Metal connector
  • 20 in Matching Chain
  • 24 in 24 gauge Craft Wire bronze colored
  • 20 in Beading Wire
  • 4 Crimp Beads
  • 3 4mm Jump Rings
  • 1 6mm Jump Rings
  • 1 Antique Gold/Brass Head Pin
  • 1 Clasp

Steps (9 steps, 60 minutes)

  1. 1

    Sort your stones into a nice collection of sizes and shapes. Set one to the side. (FYI:The Sedona bead strands have been merged into the Bead Landing strung beads)

    Next, check the rings of your connector to ensure they are properly closed. You don’t want the rings catching on your clothes or your strung part sliding off. An improperly closed jump ring can also break your beading wire.

  2. 2

    Cut two equal pieces of stringing wire as long as you are comfortable working with. I cut mine to about 10 inches each.

  3. 3

    Using a crimp bead attach the bead stringing wire to the outer rings of your connector. You can simply tuck the extra short piece of wire into your beads or trim it against the crimp bead.

    It is best to use crimping pliers as this will enure an almost perfect crimp every time. You do not have to connect the wires at the same time. I did simply because it seemed like a shortcut.

  4. 4

    String on a pattern of 5 crystals and 4 gemstone on one of the wires.

  5. 5

    What I did next was to simply gauge how long I wanted my necklace to be. I measured the length of the stones, crystals and center ring to figure out how much chain I needed to cut.

    You do not have to do this, but I did so I could make sure the necklace would rest where I wanted it to.

  6. 6

    Cut your chain to the correct length for your preference. I cut my chain into two 10 inch sections.

  7. 7

    Using a crimp bead attach your strung wire to the end of a piece of chain. Repeat for the second side.

  8. 8

    Create a wrapped loop around the top of the left over stone using 24 gauge bronze colored copper wire. Attach it to the center part of the necklace with a 4mm jump ring.

  9. 9

    Create a bead dangle by threading a 3mm crystal on a head pin and forming a loop. Attach to the wire wrapped stone.