How to Make Silver Beads

Making silver beads requires patience, and the physical ability to punch through the bead with standard jewelry-making tools. Silver beads can be used to create bracelets, necklaces, anklets and earrings, or to embellish clothing and fabric items. The most expensive part of making beads with silver is buying the raw materials. A cube of 24-gauge sterling silver will make multiple beads.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Jewelry saw
• 24-gauge silver discs, or pre-cut circular punch discs
• Die block kit
• Dapping punch
• Leather mallet
• Drill
• Tongs
• Tweezers
• Pumice stone or sand paper
• Pottery kiln
• Pumice powder

1. Cut 24-gauge silver cubes into separate 1/2-inch discs with a jewelry saw.

2. Drill a hole in the center of each disc with a number 68 drill bit.

3. Punch a hole through the center of each disc with a mallet and a number 5 die from the die block kit.

4. Punch holes in the center of the silver discs again with a number 3 die punch.

5. Fire the discs in a pottery kiln to anneal the silver. Follow heating instructions provided in the kiln operations manual.

6. Pound the number 5 die punch with force through the center of the annealed discs.

7. Hammer an 8 mm dapping punch gently around the exterior of the bead disc to round the silver into a bead shape.

8. Remove rough edges with sand paper or a pumice stone. Sand the silver disc in a circular motion until the finish is smooth.

9. Rub the bead with pumice powder to create a smooth and glossy finish.

Resources

• How to Make Silver Beaded Bracelets
• How to Make Rings with Silver Beads Video