Paua Shell Geometric Earrings
These paua shell diamond earrings are a lovely, wearable shape which use basic wirework techniques to create the popular geometric look.
Step by step instructions
Start by glueing the blue paua shell cabochon into the milled edge pendant setting using Devcon 5 Minute Epoxy glue, the glue we recommend for jewellery making.
Prepare the glue by mixing in a small dish. Use a fine point such as a cocktail stick to dab a bit of glue into the milled edge setting and gently place in the cabochon.
Once mixed, the glue sets in 5 minutes so ensure your cabochon straight away. Gently place it down and leave it to set.
Cut your silver wire in half using the heavy duty side cutters. One piece for each earring.
Now cut each piece for the diamonds using approximately one third for the smaller diamond leaving two thirds for the larger diamond.
You can adjust these lengths to suit depending on how close you want the diamonds to sit.
To shape your sterling silver wire, use snipe nose jewellery pliers to make a bend in the wire, then round nose jewellery pliers to create loops in the top of the diamond.
Using snipe or flat nose jewellery pliers open the loop of a sterling silver 7mm jump ring and attach the loops at the top of the diamond and a sterling silver earwire to the jump ring.
Using a sterling silver 3mm jump ring attach the milled edge pendant setting to the bottom of the diamond so it hangs in the centre.
Your earrings are now complete!
We have used sterling silver wire for this project but you could use silver or gold plated wire. We also have a large range of cabochons if you would prefer to use another stone.
Suggested tools for this project
Devcon 5 Minute Epoxy - For super-fast, high strength, high quality bonds
Heavy duty side cutters - for use with stronger wires where normal jewellery side cutters could get marked
Side cutters - for cutting metal wire, headpins etc. with minimum effort
Flat nose pliers - for gripping wider surfaces, bending angles in sheet or wire and opening and closing jump rings or loops
Snipe nose pliers - for bending metal sheet and wire
You may like to get our pack of pliers & side cutters which is an economical way of buying all the pliers you will need for every project!
Customise Your Kit
Make the design your own by using your favourite jewellery supplies.
HELPFUL PAGES
How to use Devcon Epoxy Glue for jewellery making
How to open and close a jump ring
Jewellery Making Books
Stonesetting for Contemporary Jewellery Makers By Melissa Hunt
'The Encyclopedia of Wire Jewellery Techniques' by Sara Withers
'The Basics of Bead Stringing' by Debbie Kanan
'Beading Design' by Kim Glover
Kernowcraft's jewellery making kits are aimed to inspire you - therefore the step by step instructions are available online only with a shopping list, where you can easily customise the design to suit you. We recommend printing or bookmarking this page ready to follow.
The suggested products used in this project are suggestions to inspire you. Products used were compatible at the time of making but do be aware that gemstones are natural and hand cut stocks can vary, so do use your own common sense as to the compatibility of each item when making.
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