This necklace is an elegant update on a classic look. Pearls have traditionally been knotted when strung on silk or other stringing materials. This is to prevent the pearls from rolling away should the strand break. With the newer, imitation pearls, you don't run the financial risk of the potential loss, but it still adds a touch of authenticity if you knot the strand as you string it.
Step one: If you are not familiar with how to knot pearls, please review the Handy Tip in our Learning Center called How to Knot. You may want to practice with some sample beads to become comfortable with the procedure before beginning with your Swarovski pearls. Start by stringing your beadtip as instructed in the Handy Tip. Next, string a 5mm white pearl, pull it tight against the beadtip and knot it. Repeat until you have 15 of the 5mm white pearls, knotting between each as you go.
Step two: After you have the first 15 pearls, begin graduating sizes and alternating colors. The pattern is as follows: 7mm light grey pearl, 8mm white pearl, 8mm light grey pearl, 8mm white pearl, 9mm light grey pearl, 9mm white pearl, 9mm light grey pearl, 9mm white pearl, 10mm light grey pearl and finally the 12mm white pearl.
Step three: Reverse the pattern and work back to the other end of your strand. When you have strung the last light grey pearl, add the remaining 15 5mm white pearls, of course continuing to knot between each as you go. Do not knot after the last pearl.
Step four: Pass your needle through the hole of your beadtip from the end where the joint is toward the inside. Make a surgeon's knot, holding your tweezers as far down in the clamshell as possible, and carefully tighten it. Do not let go until the knot is in a satisfactory position and very secure. Once you have secured the knot, trim the excess cord on both ends of the necklace, place a drop of GS-Hypo glue on each knot and pinch the beadtips closed.
Step five: Attach a jump ring to each loop of your toggle clasp and close the rings. Attach the beadtips to the jump rings by wrapping the ends of the bead tips through the jump rings using your round nose pliers until the metal makes a loop to touch the beadtip again. For help with jump rings, click here.
Approximate size: 17¾ inches
Tools Used: Knotting tweezers (TOOL-112) Micro snips (TOOL-111) GS-HYPO cement (GS-HYPO) Ergonomic round nose pliers (TOOL-127) Ergonomic bent chain nose pliers (for jump rings) (TOOL-129) Griffin bead cord No. 6 white (GSILK6WH)
List of Components: 5mm Swarovski pearl white (5810-WHITE5, qty 30) 8mm Swarovski pearl white (5810-WHITE8, qty 4) 9mm Swarovski pearl white (5810-WHITE9, qty 4) 12mm Swarovski pearl white (5810-WHITE12, qty 1) 7mm Swarovski pearl light grey (5810-LTGRY7, qty 2) 8mm Swarovski pearl light grey (5810-LTGRY8, qty 2) 9mm Swarovski pearl light grey (5810-LTGRY9, qty 4) 10mm Swarovski pearl light grey (5810-LTGRY10, qty 2) Clamshell bead tip (SS-BDTIP2, qty 2) Round toggle clasp with flower (SS-TOG45, qty 1) Sterling silver open jump ring (SS-OJR35-E, qty 2)
Alternate Components: Swarovski 5810 4mm Round Pearl Cream (5810-CRM4) Swarovski 5810 6mm Round Pearl Powder Rose (5810-PRO6) Swarovski 5810 6mm Round Pearl Black (5810-BLK6) Swarovski 5810 8mm Round Pearl Bordeaux (5810-BXP8) Swarovski 5810 3mm Round Pearl Night Blue (5810-NBLU3) Swarovski 5810 4mm Round Pearl Powder Green (5810-PGN4) Swarovski 5810 6mm Pearl Bright Gold (5810-BGOLD6) Swarovski 5810 6mm Round Pearl Dark Purple (5810-DPUR6) JBB Sterling Silver Large Heart Toggle Clasp (ISCL-0064) Sterling Silver 15mm Wrapped Toggle Clasp (SS-TOG12)
