How To Make Child Birthstone Bracelets

Birthstones are precious stones linked by calendar month. They may be precious such as garnet and sapphire or semiprecious such as turquoise or lapis lazuli. Creating a child's birthstone bracelet makes a unique, specially made keepsake for a child, mother, or even grandmother.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 6-faceted bicone crystallized Swarovski birthstones 12 Bali sterling silver bead caps 6 small Bali sterling silver spacers 10 medium sterling silver seamless rounds 7 faceted-cubed birthstones 6 sterling silver roundelle spacers 2 sterling silver crimp beads 1 silver lobster claw clasp Beading wire, 18 gauge Wire nippers Crimping pliers

1. Determine the child's birth month. Consult online birthstone charts for traditional, contemporary, or mystical gemstones. Figure out which kinds of beads you'd like to use. You can combine Swarovski crystals with semiprecious gemstones and add charms or letter beads. Potential bead and gemstone combinations are unbounded when making a child's birthstone bracelet.

2. Arrange the beads on a bead board to prevent them from rolling off the table. Create a pattern as follows: small silver spacer, Bali spacer, medium round, Bali cap, bicone, Bali cap, medium round, Bali spacer, medium round, Bali cap, bicone, Bali cap, medium round, Bali spacer, medium round, Bali cap, cube, roundelle, cube, roundelle, cube, roundelle, cube, roundelle, cube, medium round, Bali cap, bicone, and Bali cap. Repeat the beginning sequence to finish the pattern.

3. Measure nine inches of beading wire. Cut it with wire cutters. Attach one silver crimp bead ½ inch from the end of the wire. Slip on the jump ring from the lobster clasp. Take the beading wire and go through the jump ring of the clasp to make a loop. Push it back through the crimp bead. Slightly pull the loop to tighten it. Squeeze the crimp bead with crimping pliers to keep the wire from shifting off the clasp.

4. Start adding the beads onto the wire in the order of the above design. Use a bead needle for greater control when stringing beads. Continue stringing beads until they have all been placed onto the beading wire. Before crimping the end, check to make sure there is a consistent beading pattern.

5. Place the last silver crimp bead onto the end of the beading wire. Thread it through the hole on the lobster clasp. Loop the wire and place it back through the crimp bead. Crimp as before using the crimping pliers. Cut off any exposed wire, and the bracelet is complete.

Tips & Warnings

• Find a birthstone chart online. Use traditional or contemporary gemstones. Experiment with different styles of spacers and bead shapes. Change bead materials to pewter, gold, or copper. Incorporate seed or wood beads for a more casual bracelet. Change the sequence of the design and incorporate alphabet beads to spell out the child's name.
• Keep beads and components away from small children and pets.

Resources

• The World of Gemstones
• Bernardine Fine Art Jewelry