Jade and Pearl Necklace

Spring is in the air with this gorgeous gem and pearl treat!

This necklace idea started with the focal bead that I wanted to create a special piece for. It was especially eye-catching, and I knew only a spectacular supporting cast would do. I gathered some favorite jade gemstones, glass pearls and I was off on my creative journey!

Round up: gold beading wire, crimp beads, gold magnetic clasp, chain-nose pliers (for pulling wire tight), crimping pliers, nail clipper or wire cutters for snipping, white glass (or freshwater) pearls in 6mm, 8mm and 10mm sizes; green/turquoise(ish) glass pearls in 5mm, 7mm and 9mm sizes; jade beads, gold spacers and focal bead.

First, start with your focal bead and place it in the center of your design board. You are going to add beads going outward, starting from your focal bead. As this is a two-layer necklace, you are going to be adding beads on a ‘lower’ level and an ‘upper’ level. Note that your jade pieces cover both levels, so we’ll start with a jade piece on either side of the focal piece. Then the fun part: start adding your pearls and spacers in varying color and size sequences. I did 6mm white pearl on top and 9mm green pearl on bottom to start the sequencing, and then I changed up the sequencing, alternating between white and green pearls, small and larger millimeter sizes and tossing in two different style gold spacers here and there for flavor and interest.

Once you’ve got your beads arranged, extract the focal bead and treat it as you would a clasp; that is to say, pull two strands of wire through two holes/openings on either side of the focal bead, and add your crimp bead to each, crimping with the crimping pliers. Do the same to the other side.

Begin adding your beads, just as they are laid out on your design board. Do one side first, then the other side. Once one side is completed, add half of the magnetic clasp, and then add the other half when you complete your other side. Be sure to pull your wire tightly through the crimp bead as you are finishing and adding your clasp. Magnetic clasps are wonderful, and I’m a big fan, but do take care that your magnetic clasp has enough ‘pull’ to support this heavier piece. I’ve seen some magnetic clasps with weak ‘pull’; you definitely don’t want that with this gorgeous piece. Enjoy!

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