Spiral pearl Ear Rings

These pearl and crystal ear rings were created with uneven pearl subtly complemented with a purple crystal hand wrapped with gold filled wire. There is a natural contrast between the focal bead and the accent crystal. While the pearl has a subtle shine, the crystal has higher gloss. You can dress up or dress down with this lightweight earring.

Materials

One foot - 18 gauge round dead soft gold filled wire

Two - 8 mm uneven pearls

Two - end caps to match to the size of the pearl

Two - 4 mm rounded crystals

Tools

Flat nose pliers

Round nose pliers

Chain nose pliers

6-step Barrel Pliers

Wire cutters

Ruler

Instructions

Straighten and then cut the one foot - 18 gauge round dead soft gold filled wire into two 6" pieces. At the end of each wire, use round nose pliers to begin and flat nose pliers to create a spiral with 4 turns.At the end of the last turn, use flat nose pliers to bend the wire up at a 90° angle.

Thread your pearl, end cap, crystal on to the wire, so they are sitting on top of the spiral. Immediately above the crystal, use chain nose pliers to hold the bead wire and use your fingers to bend it at a 45° angle towards the front of the earring. Don’t forget to turn the spirals, so that one is facing left and one is facing right. 

Just above the bend, use the 5th largest step on 6-step round nose pliers to hold and form the ear "wire" toward the back of the earring.

Cut ¼" from the end, and use an emery board to file the ends.

Use flat nose pliers to slightly bend the ear wire end away from the main structure.

Now make the second earring.