THE INTRICATE CRYSTAL EMBELLISHMENT and mix of organic and geometric natural stone of this necklace are surprisingly easy to construct. We used pyrite and agate slabs, but you can use this technique with any flat stone. Don’t worry if the stones overlap when you wear it; it creates a full look around your collarbones. Be warned: once you start embellishing, you might have a hard time stopping—it’s addictive!
5 trapezoid agate slices, approximately 3 cm wide × 4 cm long
Mix of crystal stones in marquise, baguette, oval, round, and square shapes, ranging from 5 to 15 mm wide
22 in/53 cm gunmetal curb chain, 10 mm
30 medium gunmetal jump rings
6 in/15 cm gunmetal double curb chain, 10 mm
1 medium gunmetal spring ring clasp
1 large closed gunmetal jump ring
9 gunmetal headpins
4 slabs of pyrite, approximately 2 cm wide × 3.5 cm long
9 gunmetal beads, 2 mm dia. (used as stoppers if needed)
E-6000 glue
Clippers
Ruler
Chain-nose pliers
Round-nose pliers
Embellish the agate slices
1 Lay out the agate slices flat on the work surface. Use the glue to embellish the agate slices with a mix of the crystal stones. Make the design on each agate slice slightly different, for a loose, organic feel. Let the glue dry overnight before continuing.
Create the chain base
2 Cut the curb chain into two lengths, one 101/2 in/26.5 cm long and the other 111/2 in/29 cm long. Place the chain lengths in a curved double row on the work surface, with the shorter piece as the inner row and the longer as the outer row. A
3 Using chain-nose pliers, connect these two chains with medium jump rings so that they will lie flat on your neck. Start with a jump ring connecting the two centermost links and work outward, adding another jump ring every fifth link. B
4 Using chain-nose pliers, attach a medium jump ring to the end of each row of chain for a total of 4 jump rings. Connect each jump ring to the end of the double curb chain. C
5 Cut the double curb chain in half. Attach the spring ring clasp to one end of the double curb chain with a medium jump ring. Attach the large closed jump ring to the other end of the double curb chain with chain-nose pliers.
Attach the stone slabs and slices
6 Insert headpins into each stone (agate or pyrite) slice or slab. If the holes are larger than the head of the headpin, use a small 2-mm gunmetal bead as a stopper—just thread the small bead onto the headpin before you add the agate slice in order to keep the agate from falling off the headpin. D
7 Using the round-nose pliers, create a loop at the top of each stone slab or slice and connect the headpin loops to the outer curb chain with medium jump rings. Start at the center, with an embellished agate slice. Space the stones about 1 in/2.5 cm apart, alternating between agate and pyrite.
