Super chic and feminine pearl necklace DIY tutorial

Delicate and feminine, and yet so simple to make, this DIY single pearl necklace is the perfect handmade jewelry gift idea or even a treat for yourself!

They’re also the perfect solution to all those beads you’ve been collecting.

(Don’t tell me I’m the only one who hoards craft supplies like a squirrel in northern New England on the hunt for acorns at the end of autumn.)

A few years ago I was suddenly OBSESSED with freshwater pearls. I started hunting around Etsy for the perfect strand of round, smooth beauties. Pink, burgundy, peacock, silvery-white — I couldn’t get enough.

Within a week, I had amassed at least a dozen strands of freshwater pearls in a rainbow of shapes, sizes, and colors.

With each click of the “buy” button, I continued on my quest for more freshwater pearls to add to the collection like it was my job.

Unfortunately, the more I ordered, the less I seemed inclined to actually make something with them.

Until years later, when inspiration hit and I realized they would be the perfect complement to a simple mobius spiral and make a gorgeous DIY pearl pendant.

Just a heads up, for your convenience, I have included affiliate links in this post. You can read my full disclosure here.

You can make your own freshwater pearl necklace multiple colors, or substitute the pearl for your favorite type of gem or eco-friendly bead. (Just make sure it’s a small one, as these spirals are quite small themselves!)

hands making necklace

In this DIY pearl necklace tutorial, you’ll learn:

  • How to make an wire eye loop above a bead using a ball head pin
  • How to make a pearl pendant
  • How to create your own custom-length chain

some tips for making this spiral pendant necklace:

Below you’ll find instructions on how to make pearl necklace at home step by step. But before we jump into how to make this necklace, here are a few notes:

I HIGHLY recommend these flat nose pliers for any of my jewelry tutorials. Keep in mind you will need two pairs of these pliers. Yes, they are pricey, but they are WORTH the investment. They are hands down the best jewelry tool I have ever purchased. (So much so that when they were confiscated by airport security after I forgot to take them out of my carry-on I immediately purchased another set.)

two pairs of purple pliers with silver jump rings in the background

The main feature of this tutorial is a 3-ring mobius spiral. Unsure how to make one? You can learn how in my free mini video course.

This tutorial assumes some basic jewelry-making skills, including creating a simple eye loop above a pin. If you’ve never done this before or are a bit rusty at it, here’s a video tutorial of it. (By the way, this video tutorial is part of my signature course, Jewelry Making Fundamentals, a beginner level jewelry making course where you’ll learn how to make your own beautiful jewelry in just a few hours!)

How to make a bead and spiral necklace

Learn how to make your very own pearl and spiral pendant necklace with this diy jewelry tutorial. These necklaces are very delicate and feminine and make for the perfect wedding jewelry or gift idea. It is a great jewelry tutorial for advanced beginners!

Delicate and feminine, and yet so simple to make, these spiral pearl necklaces are the perfect DIY birthday present, mother’s day gift, or even a treat for yourself!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Active Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Difficulty Easy

Instructions

  1. Using the three largest jump rings (9.5 mm), make a 3-ring mobius spiral. Pliers with sterling silver moibus spirals
  2. String a headpin through the pearl. Using the round nose pliers or the step pliers, create a loop above the pearl so you can hang it from the pendant later.
  3. Take one of the smaller jump rings (3.5 mm) and string it through the large spiral you made (make sure the three large rings in the spiral stay together). Then string on the pearl through that lovely little loop you just made, and close the jump ring with the pearl and pendant together.hands making jewelry pendant
  4. Using the cable chain, loop the really tiny jump ring (2.2 mm) onto one end of the chain and then hook on the lobster clasp so that it's hanging from the chain. Close the ring so it is nice and secure.
  5. String on the pendant, making sure to go through the small jump ring (3.5 mm) so that the large spiral and pearl hang down.
  6. Series of pliers making jewelryOnce it is strung on, string another tiny jump ring (2.2 mm) on the other end of the chain and close it. Loop the small jump ring (3.5 mm) through the tiny one and close. (This is where you will hook on the clasp.)

Notes

I recommend purchasing all of the metal materials (i.e. jump ring, chain, clasp) from CreatingUnkamen. They're a wonderful family-owned business and sell high quality materials.

In my FREE mini video course, Jump Ring Jewels, you'll learn the right way to open and close a jump ring and how to make a Mobius spiral. Click here register or go to www.linkouture.com/jewelry-making-basics.

This tutorial assumes some basic jewelry-making skills, but if you'd like a video tutorial of this and all of the other skills used in this tutorial, I recommend you register for my paid course, Metal to Masterpiece. Click here to register or go to www.linkouture.com/fundamentals

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

(And note to self: make sure there is no shmutz on your hand before you photograph your hands for a jewelry tutorial. And moisturize. By the way, this is what my hand looks like after I have airbrushed it. Imagine what it looked like before!)

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