How to Create Your Own Gemstone Engagement Rings
Crafting an engagement ring through wire wrapping allows for an affordable homemade ring that requires only basic tools. Gemstone beads are the easiest stones to select for this project due to their predrilled holes for threading. Coin-shaped beads, in particular, offer a nice, flat surface for easy assembly. With a few simple steps, a wire-wrapped engagement ring will come together very quickly.
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Things You'll Need
- Gemstone coin bead, 20 millimeters
- Jewelry wire in gold or silver, 20 gauge
- Ruler
- Ring mandrel
- Wire cutter
- Chain nose pliers
Instructions
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Instructions
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1
Measure out 2.5 feet of jewelry wire and cut the end using your wire cutter.
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2
String the gemstone bead onto the jewelry wire and slide the bead halfway down the wire.
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3
Bend both sides of the wire down at 90-degree angles flush against each side of the bead. The wires should be running parallel to one another and in the same direction.
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4
Lay the gemstone bead onto a ring mandrel with each side of the wire flanking either side of the mandrel and pointing away from you.
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5
Slide the bead in place over the mandrel one size larger than your desired ring measurement. The final ring will shrink one size during the wrapping process.
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6
Wrap the wire on the left tightly underneath the mandrel and around the back until you reach the right side of the mandrel. Continue to wrap over the top of the mandrel, coming underneath the top half of the gemstone bead and wrapping toward the left side of the mandrel as you wrap a full circle.
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7
Repeat step 6 two more times.
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8
Wrap the wire on the right underneath the mandrel tightly and around the back until you reach the left side of the mandrel. Continue to wrap over the top of the mandrel, coming underneath the bottom half of the gemstone bead and wrapping toward the right side of the mandrel as you wrap a full circle.
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9
Repeat step 8 two more times.
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10
Grab the wire that is sticking out of the left side of the bead and bend it downward at a 90-degree angle along the outside of the mandrel.
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11
Grab the wire that is sticking out of the right side of the bead and bend it upward at a 90-degree angle along the outside of the mandrel.
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12
Slide the ring off the mandrel.
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13
Grip the wire on the left side of the ring and moving in the direction the wire is already pointing, wrap the wire tightly under the ring band just under the base of the gemstone bead and back around the band of the ring in a full circle. Repeat two times.
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14
Grip the wire on the right side of the ring and moving in the direction the wire is already pointing, wrap the wire tightly under the ring band just under the base of the gemstone bead and back around the band of the ring in a full circle. Repeat two times.
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15
Cut away excess wire with your wire cutters and flatten the end of the wire flush against the ring with chain nose pliers.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Check that your gemstone bead threads easily onto your jewelry wire before purchasing.
