How to Make a Shattered Marble Necklace

Glass marbles are for more than games; they can be a fashionable accessory as well.

A shattered marble necklace can be a creative fashion statement as well as a lesson in scientific principles. The visibly shattered appearance within the glass marble’s interior is caused by a physical change in the marble’s molecules when it is moved from one temperature extreme to another. You can perform this activity, half experiment and half arts and crafts project, at home in your kitchen to achieve beautifully wearable results.

Things You'll Need

• Glass marbles
• Cake pan
• Metal bowl
• Water
• Ice cubes
• Towel
• Industrial-strength craft adhesive
• Bell caps
• Jump ring
• Pliers
• Chain with closure

Instructions

1. Spread your marbles in a metal cake pan. Heat your oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and place the pan of marbles inside for 20 minutes.

2. Set out a medium-sized metal bowl while your marbles are nearly finished heating. Place five to ten ice cubes inside, then fill with water to cover the ice cubes.

3. Remove marbles from oven after 20 minutes have passed. Drop them directly into the ice water mixture. Wait 1 to 3 minutes, then remove marbles. Discard any that have broken, and gather those which have remained intact and gained a shattered look.

4. Use a towel to dry marbles completely. Place a large dot of adhesive on the underside of a bell cap, and press the cap onto a single marble. Let dry for 24 hours.

5. Grip one of a jump ring with a pair of pliers and the other side with your hand. Twist the sides on either side of the slit in opposite directions to open the jump ring. Do not pull them directly apart, bending the center of the jump ring, as you could cause it to break. Set the open jump ring aside.

6. Find the center link of your chain necklace. Thread your open jump ring through the link, then through the hole atop the bell cap. Use pliers to close the jump ring by reversing the motion used to open it.

7. Repeat as necessary to place more marbles on your chain. Adjust their positions along the chain accordingly.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use marbles made from two color halves fused together, as the heat will cause these to break in half rather than shatter inside.

References

• Nikki Lynn Design; How to Make Fried Shattered Marble Necklaces; Nikki Lynn; January 2011