Mother’s Day is a holiday where a personalized gift can really make the day! It is an opportunity to thank your Mother for everything she has done for you and to show her your appreciation with something special.
I frequently receive requests to make custom birthstone jewelry for holidays and other special occasions. My most requested item is a birthstone pendant necklace, which is perfect for Mother’s Day. Mother’s Day is right around the corner on Sunday, May 9th. Following these instructions, you can make your own birthstone pendant necklace to give your Mom!
A Mother’s Birthstone Pendant Necklace is a circle which is wrapped with the birthstones of each of her children. It is typically made with Sterling Silver or Gold Vermeil, although any metal can be used. They are simple to make, affordable, and great for beginners or experienced jewelry makers alike. This project will take approximately one hour to complete and the necklaces will last a lifetime!
These are the Supplies you will Need:
- (1)- 24mm or larger Closed Jumpring or Circle Finding (1”-1.5” in diameter is usually the preferred size)
- (24”)- 26 Gauge Wire
- (8-16)- 3mm or 4mm birthstone beads
- (1)- Sterling Silver Necklace Chain (18” is the most common length for this style of necklace)
- (1)- 5mm Sterling Silver Open Jumpring
- You will also need a ruler, sharp pair of scissors and 2 pairs of flat nosed jewelry pliers
- Mother’s jewelry typically only includes the birthstones of each child. You may want to consider adding your Mother’s birthstone as well to make it more unique and personalized.
- Decide what materials you want to use, from metals to stones. You have many choices for birthstones, including the actual gemstones or other less expensive materials in birthstone colors. For example, many people use Zircon or Crystal in place of Diamonds.
- To best match your Mother’s style, choose sizes and finishes that compliment her. Look for smooth or twisted jumprings and bright or antiqued finishes when selecting your metal supplies. For birthstones, look for smooth or faceted cuts and round or rondelle shapes.
- Decide how you want to arrange the stones. Some choose order of birth and some choose what looks best aesthetically. This will help you determine how many of each type of birthstone to purchase.
- For suggestions where to buy materials and pictures of finished pendants, please visit: www.ambertortoisecreations.com/custom_birthstone_jewelry
✻January: Garnet/Dark Red
✻February: Amethyst/Purple
✻March: Aquamarine/Light Blue
✻April: Diamond/Clear
✻May: Emerald/Green
✻June: Pearl or Moonstone/White
✻July: Ruby/Bright Red
✻August: Peridot/Yellowish Green
✻September: Sapphire/Deep Blue
✻October: Opal or Pink Tourmaline/Multi-colored
✻November: Citrine or Yellow Topaz/Yellow Gold
✻December: Blue Topaz or Turquoise/Bright Blue
To Make the Pendant :
*All instructions are written for someone who is right-handed. If you are left-handed, simply reverse each step.
- Cut a 24” piece of 26-gauge wire. Wrap the wire tightly around your large closed jumpring 5 times. To start your wrap, leave a “tail” of approximately 1-2” to have something to hold as you wrap.
- Thread your first gemstone onto the wire and position it inside or outside the ring (see pictures for examples). Hold the gemstone in place with your left hand and then wrap the wire tightly around the ring another 4 times. Place another gemstone on the wire and repeat the process . Repeat until you have added your last gemstone and then wrap the wire 5 more times around the ring. Use wire cutters to cut both ends of the wire flush to the ring and then use flat nose pliers to crimp the ends so they lie flat against the ring. Be sure to leave a small area of the ring unwrapped so you can attach the jumpring that will connect to the necklace chain.
- Using flat-nosed pliers vertically in your left hand, hold the 5mm open jumpring so the split opening is centered at the top. Using your right hand, grab the jumpring with your second pair of flat-nosed pliers and open by pulling the right side towards you. (It is important to twist the right side of the jumpring towards you and that you do not pull it open to the right.)
- While holding the left side of the now-open jumpring in your pliers, slide the pendant onto the jumpring. Next, slide the closed necklace chain onto the jumpring. Pick up your second pair of pliers with your right hand and close the jumpring by grabbing it at the top near the opening and pushing the right side away from you. You will want to go past the point of closure and then pull it slightly back towards you in order for it to close evenly.
