Tourmaline, Citrine and Crystal Bracelet

About This Design

Time:  Approximately  30 minutes - 1 hour

Level of Difficulty:  Beginner - All Levels

Cost: Varies, depending on materials selected.  Approximately $40-50 as shown (depends on the quality of genuine tourmaline and citrine beads used).

Every now and then I want to make something really special and I am inspired by some of the finer beads that are available.  Tourmaline is my all time favorite because it comes in a wide range of colors from pink, to gold and greens, to black.

When you want to make something very special, use genuine semi-precious stone beads.  In this bracelet I am featuring sparkling faceted golden tourmaline beads, citrine briolette beads, and two Swarovski crystals as accents.  Strung on gold wire with a 14KT gold-filled toggle clasp.

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

Step 1

Gather your supplies

• Strand of faceted tourmaline rondelle beads (about 6 inches). Tourmaline Rondelle Beads on eBay
• 12 citrine briolette beads.  Citrine Briolette Beads on eBay
• 2 10mm round Swarovski crystal beads. (choice of color)
• 3 small gold-filled bead caps (for accenting the crystals)
• 2 gold-filled crimp beads
• 1 gold-filled headpin
• Length of thin gold Soft Flex flexible beading wire (finest gauge) to fit the desired bracelet length, plus a couple extra inches to work with.
• 1 14KT gold-filled toggle clasp (I used a simple 9mm round clasp)

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

Step 2

String all beads on wire

Tie a knot on one end of the wire, or place some tape over the end, and string all of your beads onto the wire.    Check the length and overall design and make adjustments by adding, removing, or re-positioning beads until you are happy with the look of the bracelet.  I spaced the crystal bead (with beadcaps) in the center, then evenly spaced the tourmaline and three-bead citrine design along the length of the bracelet.

You can do this first on a bead design board if you prefer, but I always like to wrap a bracelet around my wrist just to check the look and fit.  Make sure you account for the added length of the clasp.  I spaced my beads to end up with a bracelet that was 7 inches long.

TIP - You can start a bracelet by attaching the clasp to one end first,  However, if you are unclear about your final design or the finished bracelet length, it is best to simply tie a knot or place some tape over the end of the jewelry wire, string your beads, and once you are happy with the design and length, attach the clasps to the ends.  This way, if you find you need to subtract or add beads you can just remove the tape or knot and work from either end without having to cut off your clasp and start the whole thing over!

Step 3 

Crimp ends and attach the clasp

Slide a crimp bead onto the wire, feed the wire through the clasp loop, then back through the crimp bead.  Pull the wire snug, and crimp the bead closed.   Follow the How to Use Crimp Beads instructions if you are not familiar with this technique.  Repeat on other side, making sure you pull the wire tight to beads before crimping.  TIP -  Because this is a toggle clasp, you will want to leave a little "play" in the wire so the clasp is easy to put on, so leave a little room where the loop of wire attaches to the clasp.

Cut off remaining tails of wire with flush cutters.

Step 4

Attach crystal charm

Slide the bead cap, and crystal onto a head pin.  Make a round loop the top, attach to the round part of the toggle clasp so it hangs freely, and close the loop.

Matching Jewelry Set

This bracelet looks great paired with other gold jewelry.  Try these additional jewelry projects.

Gold Bead and Tourmaline Earrings

Lemon Quartz Lariat