Winter Season - Lesson 1: How to make an elastic bracelet with 8 mm gemstones?

Welcome to our Learn to create jewelry with gemstones training course. This training course will introduce you to the art of creating costume jewelry through 5 fun and creative videos. In each lesson, you'll learn the basics of jewelry-making by following a simple, accessible tutorial.

Our first lesson will be devoted to the creation of an elastic gemstone bracelet, as this is a very popular project with our teams. Many of you have asked us which elastic thread to choose to make a bracelet with 8 mm gemstone beads. Gemstone beads are natural and poetic, but they are also very heavy. Elastic wires are fragile and are best used with lightweight beads. It is therefore not the most suitable wire for heavy pearls. The most suitable wire is wired wire, but it's rather expensive and requires several types of jewelry pliers, as well as specific elements for finishing. But if you want to make a bracelet quickly and easily, without the need for tools, elastic wire is a must. Follow our advice to make an elastic bracelet that will last as long as possible.

1 - Which elastic wire should I use with gemstones?

There are several types of elastic wire with different diameters. You can consult our comparison chart on elastic wires for more details on the subject. In simple terms, there are two main types of elastic wire: transparent and multi-strand. Transparent yarns also come in different types of material.

• Multi-strand yarn is made up of several strands of elastic thread. Overall, it is more elastic than other yarns, i.e. it stretches much more. However, it is very sensitive to friction and frays. It is therefore unsuitable for handcrafted pearls and gemstones, which may have roughness inside the hole. What's more, although it stretches more, it is also more fragile and will be better suited to lightweight beads.
• Nylon and silicone wires are stronger and more suitable for gemstone beads. They stretch less than multi-strand elastic wire and tend to relax. There are a few rules to follow.

You'll need to choose the thickest elastic wire possible, but it must pass easily through the hole in your beads. For example, if you're using pearls with 1 mm and 0.8 mm holes for your bracelet, you'll need to choose 0.7 mm wire. It will pass easily through all the beads and limit friction. As you can see, it's essential to know the hole size of your beads. You often ask the question "which elastic thread should I choose for 8 mm beads?", but without knowing the hole size of your beads, it's impossible for us to give you an accurate answer. Just because a bead is 8 mm doesn't mean the hole is necessarily 1 mm.

The hole size of the pearls is indicated on the product page, but if you want to know the hole size of the pearls you already have, here's a way to find out: you need nails whose shank diameter you know, or a precision cal iper to find out the diameter of the nail shank. Then, run your nails through the hole and you'll have an estimate of the size of the pearl hole. If the nail has a diameter of 0.8 mm and doesn't go through, the hole is smaller than 0.8 mm. If you pass a 0.6 mm nail and there's plenty of space between the nail and the edge of the bead, the hole is larger than 0.6 mm.

2 - Calculating bracelet length

1. First of all, measure the circumference of your wrist.
2. Add 1 cm to this measurement if you want a bracelet close to the wrist, and 1.5 to 2 cm if you want something looser.
3. Next, add a margin for the thickness of the beads. In the video, we've simplified things by adding 1 cm to the length. For more precision, here's the calculation you'll need to do below.
4. Calculate the diameter of your wrist + 1 cm. Ex: With a wrist circumference of 15 cm + 1 cm margin = 16 cm. 16/π = 5.1 cm.
5. Add the diameter of a pearl to this measurement. Ex: 5.1 cm + 0.8 cm = 5.9 cm.
6. Convert diameter back to perimeter. Ex: 5.9 x π = 18.5 cm. A threading of 18.5 cm is required.

3 - Tips for making an elastic bracelet

Elastic threads are made of materials that are sensitive to certain factors. To prolong the life of your elastic bracelet as much as possible, here are a few recommendations.

• Stretch your wire before stringing the beads to loosen it. This will prevent it from relaxing once the bracelet is finished.
• Avoid using a crush bead to close your bracelet. Instead, use a surgeon's knot and glue.
• Don't store your bracelet in a hot place or in direct sunlight. For example, in the car in summer.
• Remove your bracelet when showering, swimming in the sea or pool.
• Elastic threads can also be degraded by cosmetics and perfumes, as they contain solvents.