Chalcedony Earrings

About This Design

Time:  Approximately 30-60 minutes

Level of Difficulty:  Beginner - All Levels

Cost: Varies, depending on materials selected.  Approximately $15-25 as shown.

I wanted to showcase some perfect glowing aqua chalcedony beads.  These blue chalcedony earrings feature some fantastic rare semi-precious gemstone beads, here in a faceted briolette shape.  To bring out the color,  I topped them with a cluster of genuine turquoise rounds and aqua crystals.  Attached to sterling silver french hook earrings.  

Lovely and timeless, this design works great with any large/small bead combination, so use whatever bead combo you have on hand!

Want to make these earrings, or a variation for yourself?  Let's get started!

Step 1

Gather your supplies

• 2 Aqua Blue Chalcedony Briolette Beads. Blue Chalcedony Briolette Beads for sale on eBay
• 8 small aqua crystal beads
• 8 small turquoise round beads
• 16 Headpins 
• Length of sterling silver half hard wire (thin -  26 gauge)
• 2 earwires, french hooks, leverbacks or posts (your choice)  I used sterling silver french hook ear wires in my design

Need Supplies?  Check my Jewelry Supply pages to find what you need!

Step 2

Wire wrap the briolette bead 

Cut several inches of sterling silver wire.   Slide the chalcedony briolette bead into the center of the wire.   Bend the ends of the wire up to meet in the middle at the top of the bead.  Follow my instructions for wire wrapping a briolette to make a closed loop at the top with a stem.  We will attach the other beads to this top of the wire stem so don't attach it to the earring component just yet.

Step 3

Slide beads on headpins make loops

Next, you will attach four crystals and four turquoise round beads to the top of each earring (or more if you like!).  Slide a crystal bead onto a headpin, create a loop, and then slide the loop on the top stem,  using a closed loop.   You'll use your round nose pliers to create the closed loop. If you need help learning to make a loop, follow these instructions.   Repeat, alternating a crystal and turquoise bead until you have attached all of them to the stem.   I attached 8 beads to each earring--you can do more or less to get the look you like.

Step 4

Close top loop and attach to earring components

Now, we'll make a round loop at the top of the wire stem, not too far from the top of the other beads, and attach it to the earring component.  Use your round nose piers to form a loop, slide it through the earring component, then wrap the wire back down around the stem a few times, creating a secure closed loop.

That's it!  Your gorgeous earrings are ready to wear!