Amethyst Briolette Stud Earrings

These beautiful amethyst faceted drop briolette beads are a pretty shade of purple and look stunning finishing with any outfit. This project uses basic wire wrapping techniques for a simple yet effective design - perfect for a jewellery making beginner!

Step by step instructions

1. Start by wire wrapping the briolette bead. Use side cutters to cut your 0.2mm sterling silver wire to length - we recommend a length of wire approx 15-20cm for wire wrapping briolettes.
2. Slip the briolette onto the wire around 3-4cm down. Ensure one side of the wire is longer than the other - pinch both ends of wire together at the top of the briolette to form a triangle shape, making sure the briolette is central.
3. Hold both sides of the wire with round nose pliers and bend the longer length to a right angle. At this point, work half way up the plier nose to ensure you allow yourself enough room for a good wrap. If necessary, trim any access wire on the short side with side cutters.
4. Use round nose pliers to form a loop with the longer side of the wire by bending it to a right angle and wrapping it around the tip of the pliers. Hold the loop flat between the tips of snipe nose pliers and take the long end of wire and use your fingers to tightly wrap it around the stem of the wires - begin at the base and work downwards.
5. Use snipe nose pliers to gently squeeze the coil together and continue to wrap upwards until you reach the top of the bead. Once you're happy with the wrap, use side cutters to trim excess wire and squeeze the end into the coil for a neat finish
6. Open the loop on the earstud and hook on the briolette bead before closing with sipe nose pliers.
7. Repeat the process for the second earring. Your design is now complete!

Suggested tools for this project

Side cutters

Snipe nose pliers or flat nose pliers

You may like to get our pack of pliers & side cutters

Customise your kit

Make the design your own by using your favourite jewellery supplies

Shop briolette beads

Shop earring findings

Helpful pages

Step by step instructions with photos of how to wire wrap a briolette.

How to wire wrap a briolette bead

Read our wire wrapping advice pages with tutorials

Jewellery making books

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.