Home / Jewelry Making Patterns / Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones
Abby Hook's Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin. Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry. This simple bail, formed from a single piece of wire, is quick to make and very versatile.
Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones
by Abby Hook
  • Category: Findings
  • Technique(s): Making Findings, Making Loops, Wrapping
  • Skill Level: Beginner
This simple bail, formed from a single piece of wire, is quick to make and very versatile. It can be used for any top drilled stone - side or front - as the finishing touch for a pendant.

Special Instructions: Due to the large loops, this design is particularly useful is you are using a chunky chain like Viking knit, chain maille or a multi strand necklace, as the bail allows free movement of the pendant.
This tutorial teaches you how to make the bail for a front, top drilled stone, as well as a side top-drilled stone. See my other tutorial for making a bail for a stone donut.

Materials

18 Gauge Half Round Dead Soft .925 Sterling Silver Wire
H8-18HRD
  • Lesson Quantity: 8.00 inches
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 1FT
  • Price: $2.22
  • Gold Club Price: $1.66
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Tools

Chain Nose Wire Plier
G2-508
  • G2-508
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Round Nose Wire Plier
G2-507
  • G2-507
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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Flat Nose Wire Plier
G2-506
  • G2-506
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $32.95
  • Gold Club Price: $24.71
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5 inch Plato Slim Flush Cutters for Wire Working or Beading - Pack of 1
G35-3
  • G35-3
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $9.57
  • Gold Club Price: $7.18
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5 1/2 Inch Nylon Flat Jaw Pliers with Replacement Jaws
G2-1
  • G2-1
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $9.97
  • Gold Club Price: $7.48
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8 Piece Mini Brass Mandrel Set
G7-14
  • G7-14
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $18.97
  • Gold Club Price: $14.23
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Tape Measure
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
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Instructions
Step 1:
Prepare the wire
Cut an 8” length of 18 gauge wire and straighten, by grasping one end with the chain nose pliers and pulling the length through the jaws of the nylon jaw pliers a couple of times.
Abby Hook's Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones - Prepare the wire, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, straighten the wire
Step 2:
Shape the first loop
Measure 2” from one end of the wire, hold this point against the mandrel. Ensure that the wire is at a 90° angle to the mandrel and wrap long length of wire around the mandrel, forming one complete circle.
Abby Hook's Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones - Shape the first loop, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, hold the wire against the mandrel
Abby Hook's Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones - Shape the first loop, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, wrap the wire around the mandrel
Step 3:
Shape the next 2 loops
Wrap the wire around the mandrel another 2 times, so that the straight wires either end cross each other, forming a straight line. You now have 3 complete loops.
Abby Hook's Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones - Shape the next 2 loops, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, wrap the wire 2 more times around the mandrel
Step 4:
Bend the wire
Check that the 2” length you started with is still 2” long and hasn’t got bent around the mandrel, adjust if necessary.
Grasp the 2” length at the point it completes the third loop with the flat nose pliersBend upwards 90°, so that it is pointing straight up from the mandrel.
Abby Hook's Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones - Bend the wire, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, grasp the wire at the mandrel with flat nose pliers
Abby Hook's Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones - Bend the wire, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, bend the wire up
Step 5:
Form a loop
Measure 1/8” from the bend, grasp with the flat nose pliers and bend outwards 45°, so that it is pointing in the same direction as the bail.
Remove the wire carefully from the mandrel. Grasp just after the bend with the round nose pliers and form a large loop.
Pro Tip: Tip: - Make sure that the loop is at least as big as the gap between the hole in the stone and the top of the stone.
Abby Hook's Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones - Form a loop, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, bend the wire to 45 degrees
Abby Hook's Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones - Form a loop, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, remove the loops from the mandrel
Abby Hook's Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones - Form a loop, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, mind the gap
Step 6:
Attach the stone
Carefully open the loop slightly, by twisting it open.
Pro Tip: Tip - Do not pull the loop apart, as this will weaken the wire and cause the loop to become misshapen.
Re-insert the mandrel so that you do not distort the shape of the bail wire while you work. Thread the bead onto the wire, so that the front of the bead is facing the same direction as the straight wires are pointing.
Close the loop again by pinching or twisting closed with the chain nose pliers.
Abby Hook's Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones - Attach the stone, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, open the loop slightly
Abby Hook's Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones - Attach the stone, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, re-insert the mandrel
Abby Hook's Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones - Attach the stone, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Close the loop
Step 7:
Bend the wire
Remove the mandrel again. Grasp the straight wire from the bottom loop, level with the 1/8” straight wire, with the flat nose pliers and bend upwards 90° so that they are parallel.

Trim the wire so that it touches the bottom of the 3 circles of the bail (1/8”) Reinsert the mandrel
Abby Hook's Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones - Bend the wire, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, remove the wire from the mandrel again
Abby Hook's Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones - Bend the wire, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, trim the wire
Step 8:
Prepare to wrap the bail
Grasp the long straight wire with the flat nose pliers and bend 90° to the left, so that it crosses straight under the 3 loops of the bail. Take care that the wire remains straight and the 3 loops do not become distorted, by holding them in position against the mandrel.
Abby Hook's Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones - Prepare to wrap the bail, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, bend the wire to 90 degrees
Step 9:
Wrap the bail
Grasp the end of the wire with the chain nose pliers and carefully wrap the wire around the 2 x 1/8” straight wires, pulling them together, while holding the 3 loops in position against the mandrel with your less dominant hand.

Abby Hook's Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones - Wrap the bail, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, grasp the wire with chain nose pliers
Abby Hook's Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones - Wrap the bail, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, wrap the wire
Step 10:
Trim the wire
Trim the wire on the side of the bail, so that it is just past the wire from the bottom loop.
Carefully tuck the end in, by bending it round the wire from the bottom loop with the chain nose pliers. Ensure all bindings are neat and straight.
Abby Hook's Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones - Trim the wire, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, trim the wire
Abby Hook's Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones - Trim the wire, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, tuck in the end
Step 11:
Final step
Remove the mandrel and carefully splay the wires, by bending the outer one either side out a fraction with your fingers.
Abby Hook's Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones - Final step, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Splay the wires
Abby Hook's Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones - Final step, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, splay the wires
Step 12:
Side drilled/ Drop Stone
Follow steps 1 to 4, forming the 3 bail loops and bending the 2” wire upwards.
Measure 1/8” from the bend and make a 45° bend to the side using the flat nose pliers.
Abby Hook's Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones - Side drilled/ Drop Stone, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, wrap the wire 3 times around the mandrel
Abby Hook's Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones - Side drilled/ Drop Stone, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, make a bend in the wire
Step 13:
Attach the bead
Measure the distance between the hole and the top of the bead, in this case ¼”.
Therefore measure ¼” (or whatever the distance was) from the last bend and bend 135° inwards, so that the wire draws a line under the bail.

Thread the bead onto the wire.
Abby Hook's Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones - Attach the bead, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, measure
Abby Hook's Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones - Attach the bead, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, measure from the last bend and make another bend at 135 degrees
Abby Hook's Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones - Attach the bead, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, Thread the bead onto the wire
Step 14:
Finish shaping the wire
Grasp the straight wire with the flat nose pliers, just after the bead and bend 135° inwards, forming a triangle. Leave a small gap in the wire just after the bead before you make the bend, to allow the bead to move freely and stop the wire rubbing on it.
Abby Hook's Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones - Finish shaping the wire, Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, bend the wire up
Step 15
Follow steps 7 to 11, bending the wire upwards, trimming to 1/8”, wrapping closed and finally splaying the bail wires.
Abby Hook's Wire Wrapped Bail for Top-drilled Stones - , Findings & Components, Toggles & Clasps, Earwire & Headpin, Findings, Clasps, Components, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, splay the wires

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