How to Design Your Own Silver Pearl Ring
Silver and pearls combine well to create jewelry that is always in fashion. And with the availability of silver and drilled pearl beads at quality bead and craft stores, it's easy to create your own designs at home. Make your own pearl and silver ring using basic tools and silver wire for a piece of jewelry that is uniquely yours.
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Things You'll Need
- Short piece of string or yarn
- Ruler
- About 6 inches of 16- or 18-gauge round silver wire (half hard)
- Wire cutters
- Two pairs of jewelry pliers (round nose and flat nose)
- Drilled pearl bead (should accept the wire gauge you choose)
- Ring mandrel or large dowel
Instructions
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Designing Your Pearl Ring
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1
Use the string or yarn to measure the width of your finger at the knuckle. Add to this measurement three to four inches for a large, bold ring, or two to three inches for a more delicate ring.
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2
Measure and cut your silver wire to the desired length.
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3
Thread the pearl onto the wire.
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4
Grip one end of the silver wire with your round-nose pliers and form a spiral. Repeat with the other end of wire so that you have an S-shaped wire with a pearl in the center. Push the pearl so it sits on the bottom curve of the top spiral. Bend the wire as necessary to hold the pearl in place.
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5
Wrap the wire once around using a ring mandrel (or a large dowel approximately the thickness of a finger), so that it forms a ring.
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6
Use your fingers or pliers to adjust the wire so that the pearl is comfortably nestled between the two spirals and the ring's design is balanced.
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1
Tips & Warnings
For a statement ring, make your spirals large and open. For a delicate ring, make tighter spirals.
Always use eye protection when cutting wire.
