How to Make the Black Pearl Necklace
Use your SilverSilk 3-Needle Chain to create a clever floating necklace style. 3-Needle Chain fits easily in large hole pearls as well as other stones and beads that have at least a 1.5mm hole through the bead. The finished necklace is clasp-free, worn long or double-draped if you make it super long. SilverSilk 3-Needle Chain is SilverSilk’s thinnest chain, which makes it great for stringing through beads with slightly larger holes. Three needles stitch a single wire that’s as thin as human hair into a flexible, supple and highly decorative chain, perfect for adding that extra special unique touch to your jewelry. For more details on what 3-Needle Chain is and other ways to make jewelry with it, check out the 3-Needle education page here. Follow along each step in this tutorial guide, as well as in video form, to create this incredible design.
Before we dive into the magic, let's gather our tools and materials:
Tools:
Cutters (Lindström Tools): Flush cutters used for making precise cuts to your 3-Needle Chain
Loctite Glue: Essential for securing the 3-Needle Chain into large-hole beads
Materials:
36in • SilverSilk 3-Needle Chain in Black or Hematite
9 • 9x11mm Black (or any color you wish) Freshwater Large-Hole Pearls
Black Pearl Necklace Video Tutorial
Black Pearl Necklace Written Step-By-Step Guide
Step 1: Planning and Measuring the Spacing for your Design
When planning your design, you can use a necklace design board to help with precise calculations on how to make even spacing. Working with as few or as many beads as you’d like, lay them along the planning length in the position where you’d like them to float. Once you are happy with how the beads look, take note (perhaps using a measuring tape) of the spacing between each bead, and that measure is the length of 3-Needle Chain you’ll want to cut.
In the sample design, an approximate length of 36in was planned for the final necklace. To keep it simple, I decided on an equal spacing of 4in between nine large-hole pearl beads.
Step 2: Cutting 3-Needle Chain Segments
Use your flush cutters to cut segments of 3-Needle Chain that are each the desired spacing length. For the sample, nine 4in long segments were cut. Using a tape measure, cut the first segment. You can then use that segment to measure and cut the next, eight segments so that they are all a perfect match.
Step 3: Gluing the First Beads
Working with one of the segments, place a generous dot of glue onto the end tip of the 3-Needle Chain. Insert the glued end into a pearl bead, a little past halfway through the bead. You can assess this through the other side of the bead. Just make sure the wire is not poking out the other side of the bead.
Step 4: Create More Segments
Repeat Step 3 to create three more segments with a pearl glued to each end. Set aside to dry, which takes about 10-15 minutes to properly set.
Tip: Stage them in the order they are glued so you can select and work with each one in order of when it was glued, maximizing the glue-dry time for each.
Step 5: Add an Additional Segment of 3-Needle Chain to each Pearl Segment
Working with your first glued segment, place a dot of glue on a new length of 3-Needle Chain and insert that into the other side of the pearl. Push the chain through until you feel some resistance. Ideally, if you can get the chain to pass just above the other chain inside the bead, you’ll have a tight fit with the glue inside the bead.
Step 6: Combining the Segments
Repeat Step 5 to add the remaining segments of chain to all four pearls that already have 3-Needle segments attached to them (from Step 4). Then, set each segment to thoroughly dry before picking them up again for Step 7
Step 7: Linking the Final Segments Together
Next, use the remaining pearls to link to together the open ends of each segment. To finish the design, glue the last open 3-Needle chain ends inside the last pearl.
Conclusion:
Creating floating jewelry designs is not only easy but also incredibly fun. These pieces are stylish and timeless, effortlessly matching any outfit in your wardrobe. The clasp-free design makes them perfect for layering, so you can create and wear multiple pieces together. We hope you enjoyed this tutorial and feel inspired to make a set for yourself or a loved one. Don't forget to check out the full video tutorial on YouTube. If you enjoyed it, give us a thumbs up and subscribe to our channel for more exciting tutorials.
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