How to Have a Coin Made into a Necklace
Its easy to create your own coin jewelry with the use of a bezel. Bezels are settings that will hold your coin so that it can be hung from a chain or any other piece of jewelry, such as a charm bracelet. Bezels come in many different sizes and often have a decorative "frame" around the piece that will hold your coin in place. Make a coin necklace or yourself or as a great gift for someone else.
Instructions
-
-
1
Choose the coin that you want to use for your necklace. If you're making a gift for someone from a different state, their state quarter would be a good choice. You can also use an attractive coin from another country or even a "lucky penny" that you found on the side walk.
-
2
Measure the coin. You will need to know the exact diameter (width across) and thickness of the coin to know what size of bezel to get. You should do this even if you already know the size of a certain kind of coin, because the exact size can vary slightly depending on when and where the coin was minted. A penny minted in 1950 might have slightly different thickness than one that was minted in the year 2000. If you are using a ruler, make sure you are using the side that measures in millimeters and lay the coin on a flat surface next to the ruler. If you are using a micrometer, place the coin between the two prongs and measure the width in millimeters. Measuring in millimeters generally gives an exact measurement. If the edges are worn, measure from a few different angles across the coin to get an average width. Use the same technique to get a measurement for the thickness.
-
-
3
Go to a website or a store that sells coin bezels and order one in the size that you need for your coin. Choose one that enhances the general theme, look and feel of your coin necklace. If you are using an exotic foreign coin, for example, you might want to set it in a bezel with an exotic-looking design on the frame. A fancy-edged bezel can add style to a simple coin, while a plain bezel shows off a more elaborate coin. Make sure the bezel you purchase is made specifically to be hung on a necklace.
-
4
Open the bezel by removing the tiny screw on top with a small jeweler's screwdriver, one that has a blade no more than 1.20 millimeters wide. Once the screw is out, you can gently and slowly open the bezel just wide enough so that you can get your coin inside. Do not open it any wider than necessary because it could break or bend out of shape. After you have gotten your coin in place, close the bezel tightly and replace the screw.
-
1
