Rhythms and Blues Choker

By: Fernando DaSilva for Beadalon

Use a variety of crystal briolettes to create this Rhythm and Blues Choker. Beaded jewelry patterns don't get much better than this - the colors and design will truly enchant you. This is a great gift idea for anyone you love. If you enjoy working with beads and wire, you'll have a great time putting this necklace together. Free beading projects give you a chance to test your skills and see what kind of creative projects you can make at home. There's no need to head to an expensive jewelry store or boutique when you can make your own creative jewelry designs in your own home.

Rhythm and Blues Choker

Materials:

50 Blue chalcedony flat faceted graduated briolettes
160 dark amethyst 7 X 3mm faceted briolettes
30 Swarovski 11 X 5.5 mm tanzanite crystal briolettes
33 Swarovski 13 X 6.5 mm aquamarine crystal briolettes
Set of Sterling Silver toggle square design
9 silver plated crimp tubes – JFCT3S-1.5G
5 silver plated crimp covers – 312B-110
140” Beadalon 19 Strand-.925 Solid Sterling Silver wire .24”
Beadalon Designer Flush Cutter
Mighty Crimp Tool
Standard Crimp Tool

Instructions:

Using flush cutter, cut three 30” pieces of Beadalon silver plated wire.
String a crimp bead onto the Beadalon wire, then loop it through half of the toggle and back through the crimp, making sure wires are side by side (not crossed). Place crimp into the inner jaw of the Beadalon Standard Crimp Tool and crimp it. Repeat the same step with the other 2 pieces of the Beadalon wire; use the same ring you have used on the first crimp. All the 3 pieces of Beadalon wire will be attached on the same place. Use 2 crimp cover with Mighty crimp tool to cover completely 2 of the crimped tubes.
String 1 blue chalcedony and 1 amethyst onto the wire A; String 1 amethyst and a aquamarine crystal onto the wire B; String 1 amethyst and 1 tanzanite crystal onto the wire C.
Start braiding the wires and stringing beads on your desired combination but keep small amethyst briolettes running on its center braid and as a filling between the big briolettes. Every 2 braids string 1Swarovski crystal briolette onto 2 wires together and braid this wire through the other two strands. Alternate blue chalcedony, aquamarine and tanzanite Swarovski drops beads and place a briolette with double wire every 2” and snug beads to form the cluster look all over the necklace.
String a crimp tube onto sterling silver wire and loop through the other side of toggle and back trough the crimp and crimp it, using standard crimp tool. Repeat the same step with the other two strands. Cover two of these crimps, using crimp covers. Use outer jaw of Mighty crimp tool to close completely.
Loop the 40” length piece of Beadalon Sterling Silver wire through one side of toggle. Holding two sides of wire side by side, string a crimp tube onto the double wire, place close to toggle and crimp it
Cross the wires over and under the beads strand approximately ¾” intervals, continue this until you reach the Lobster Claw side, then attach each end to the other side of toggle a crimp tube. Cover each of the crimp tubes with a copper plated crimp cover and close carefully with the mighty crimp too.