Sapphire and sterling silver are a perfect combination. This September birthstone pairing features mini-sized Swarovski crystal briolette pendants, small sterling-silver crescent-moon connector charms and petite sterling silver earwires. This design is also easily adaptable for use with any birthstone color (or just your favorite color).
You will need these supplies:
- 2 each 11mm Swarovski briolette pendant (I used item #06-010-11-19)
- 2 each sterling-silver charm connector (I used item #44-049-55)
- 1 pair sterling-silver earwires (I used item #34-533)
- 2 each sterling-silver jump rings (I used item #37-295-240)
You will need these tools:
- #69-271-08 EURO TOOL Glitter, Flat-Nose Jewelry Pliers
- #69-271-03 EURO TOOL Glitter, Chain-Nose Jewelry Pliers
If you don’t already own jewelry making pliers, you might consider buying a matching set. The EuroTool Glitter Set is a Rings & Things’ “Staff Choice”.
Jewelry Tool Spotlight
EURO TOOL Glitter, Four-Piece Set
4-piece 4.5″ Glitter Line™ EURO TOOL® basic jewelry tool set with roll-up purple pouch. Includes chain-nose pliers, flat-nose pliers, round-nose pliers and semi-flush side cutters. These comfortable pliers, with glittery PVC grips, have fine, precision ground tips and double-leaf springs. Box-joint construction.
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Follow these steps to create petite sterling and crystal earrings:
Connect the crystal briolette pendant and the sterling-silver connector charm. Open a jump ring, add the bottom loop of the sterling-silver connector charm, then add the crystal briolette pendant. Then close the jump ring.
When you open and close jump rings, twist ends instead of “ovaling” them.
This keeps their round shape better, which makes them easier to close neatly and securely.
Tip: Did you know that twisting the jump ring open and closed a few times will harden the wire? By hardening the wire, a jump ring is less likely to pull open.
Add a French hook ear wire. Twist open the loop on the ear wire and connect it to the top loop of the sterling-silver connector charm. Twist the loop closed.
Repeat the steps to make the second earring.
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Sterling Silver
Did you know that in the USA, sterling silver items are not required to be stamped with a quality mark? It is true! This is why some of the sterling-silver items we sell are not marked and why we have to be careful to only purchase from reputable manufacturers. Further more, when adding a quality mark to an item, the maker is also required to add their registered hallmark or their name; that way the quality-stamped item can be traced back to the manufacturer.
Here is the 925 quality stamp on a 23-gauge ear wire.
For more information about sterling silver charms and findings, read: “Sterling Silver: Defining Quality“
“September Sky” Earrings by Rings & Things designer Mollie Valente. Visit the Rings & Things Design Gallery for free jewelry tutorials and to source jewelry-making tools and supplies.
Make Things!
Mollie
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