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A Simple Technique for Top-drilled Stones
by Karen Meador, Ph.D.
When I think of top-drilled stones, I'm usually reminded of a small briolette and the traditional way we prepare them for earrings, etc. Yet, I've encountered several nice size top-drilled or drilled slightly off center stones in the past few days and tried to do something different with them. In doing so, I visualized a swing on a playground. If you consider the stone as the swing seat and the wire as chain, perhaps you can see the idea in the photos.
Instructions
I used 18g wire for a few of these stones because the thinner wire didn't really fill the bead hole and the stone "swung" too much on its own. The hole in the pear-shaped stone could only accommodate 22g.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s A Simple Technique for Top-drilled Stones - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, top drilled stones
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s A Simple Technique for Top-drilled Stones - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, top drilled stones
Rather than the wire coming straight up as a swing chain does, it crosses about 1 ½ inches above the stone. I wrapped one wire around the other and used the second wire to make a wrapped loop for hanging.
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s A Simple Technique for Top-drilled Stones - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, top drilled stones
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s A Simple Technique for Top-drilled Stones - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, top drilled stones
Rather than flush cutting the extra wire, which would be acceptable, I used it as embellishment down the sides. You can see that I added a few beads on one of the pieces. I was trying to keep these from looking like the traditional cabochon wraps with swirls at the top. What do you think?
Karen Meador, Ph.D.'s A Simple Technique for Top-drilled Stones - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, top drilled stones

Materials

18 Gauge Half Round Half Hard Copper Wire
H11-18HRH
  • Lesson Quantity: 5.00 feet
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 5FT
  • Price: $2.27
  • Gold Club Price: $1.70
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Tools

Ultimate wire-pliers Set
G15-20
  • G15-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $99.95
  • Gold Club Price: $74.96
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  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Wrapping

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