How to Wire Wrap a Pendant

Source: wikiHow

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In this Article:Forming the Base of the PendantSecuring the Stone with the WiresAdding Design ElementsCommunity Q&A20 References

Wire-wrapped jewelry is beautiful and stylish! You can wrap a stone with any color wire you like to create a custom pendant as a gift, to sell online, or to wear yourself.

Select a stone to wrap and wire to wrap it. Then, get to work and you’ll have your finished pendant in no time!

1. 1 Get a roll of non-tarnishing 20 gauge silver wire. This type of wire is available in the jewelry making section of a craft supply store. Purchase enough wire to cover the diameter of your item times 12.^[1]
   • For example, if the stone you want to wire wrap is 2 in (5.1 cm) wide, then you will need at least 24 in (61 cm) of wire.
   • You may also use 20 or 21 gauge copper or colored wire if you prefer. 20 or 21 gauge is ideal for wrapping a pendant since it is easy to work with, but strong enough to secure the stone.^[2]

   Tip

   Choose wire that complements the color of your stone, such as copper wire for an amber stone, silver wire for a black stone, or gold wire for a green stone.

2. 2 Cut 2 pieces of wire that are each 6 times the diameter of your stone. Put on a pair of goggles or safety glasses before you cut the wire.^[3] Measure out a length of wire that is 6 times the diameter of your item. Then, use a pair of wire cutters to sever the wire at this point. File the ends of the wire with a metal file to remove any sharp or jagged points.^[4]
   • For example, if the stone is 2 in (5.
     1 cm) wide, then you will need 2 pieces of wire that are each 12 in (30 cm) long.
   • Repeat to make a second piece of wire of the same exact length.
3. 3 Straighten the wire with your hands. Grasp 1 of the wires at the ends and pull them apart to straighten the length of wire as much as possible. Uncurl any spots in the wire that have gotten twisted. Then, repeat for the second piece of wire.^[5]
   • The wires do not need to be perfectly straight. Make them as straight as you can, but don’t worry if they are slightly wavy in some spots.
4. 4 Fold the lengths of wire in half around your index finger. Line up the 2 pieces of wire so that their ends are even. Then, locate the center of the wires and use your hands to bend them at this point to fold them in half. Use your index finger to maintain some space at the center point of the wires.^[6]
   • This will be the opening for the chain or cord that you string your finished pendant onto.
   • The wire will bend in half easily, so there is no need to use pliers to do this.
5. 5 Grasp the bent portion of the 2 lengths of wire and twist. Place your index finger into the center point of the wires. Then, use your fingers or a pair of pliers to grasp the wires about 0.5 to 1 in (1.3 to 2.5 cm) from the fold and twist to create a loop at the center of the wire. Twist 2 times to ensure that the loop is secure.^[7]
   • Remove your index finger from the fold after you have created the loop.
   • You can do this part with your hands or with a pair of pliers.

1. 1 Select a disc-shaped stone to wrap. You can wrap any type of stone, bead, or crystal you like, but items with a disc-like shape are easiest to wrap. Choose a flat stone as your first wire-wrapping project.^[8]
   • Your item will also be easier to wrap if it has uneven or jagged (but not sharp) edges. This will make it easier for you to anchor the wire to the outside of the stone.

   Other Items to Wire Wrap

   Beach Glass. This is glass that has been worn down by sand and water until it is a smooth stone-like piece.

   Geode slice. This is a stone with crystals on the inside, and you can get geode slices encased in resin. You can buy a slice of a small geode to wire-wrap.

   Large beads. Some beads work well for wire-wrapping. Choose a large disc-shaped bead so that you will have lots of surface area to work with.

2. 2 Spread out the 4 wires extending from the loop so they are equidistant. Use your fingers to separate the wires at the base of the loop you created. Arrange the wires so that each 1 is pointed in a different direction and at an…

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