Moroccan Lotus Pond Knotted Ruby Choker

Moroccan Lotus Pond Knotted Ruby Choker

Materials Needed:

• 2-3mm Ruby Natural Faceted Rondelles (117 beads)
• Amoracast – Lotus Pond, Moroccan (1)
• Griffin Silk #3 Dark Pink (1)
• Clamshells 14k Gold Filled (2)
• Lobster Claw Clasp 14k Gold Fill (1)
• Chain 14k Gold Filled (large enough links to fasten into, used for extension chain 2” Used
• 4mm Round 19g 14k  Gold Fill Jump Rings (3)
• 3mm Sandblast Beads, 14k Gold Filled (8)
• 2mm Sandblast Beads, 14k Gold Filled (3)
• 3.6 x 2mm Saucer Beads 14k Gold Filled (1)
• Head Pin – 1 ½” 26g 14k Gold Filled (1)

Finished Length 17 - 19”

Tools Required

Needle Nose Pliers

Round Nose Pliers

Cord Knotting Tweezers or Awl

Thread Zapper or Scissors

Flat Nose Pliers

Instructions on Construction:

I am not usually a big fan of ironing my Griffin silk but do find that when using the lower #’s (thinner cords) & smaller beads this helps a lot, it takes out the kinks that happen from the packaging. With heavier beads this isn’t usually a problem, the weight will pull the kinks out. You can also pre-stretch your cord which should help keeping knots where you want them to be!

1. The first thing you will do is attach the cord through the clamshell so that you have a means of attaching the finished, knotted gemstone, chain to the clasp. Tie an overhand knot at the end of your silk cord (the opposite end to where the needle attaches) leaving a small tail (sometimes I do a 2^nd knot) and then take a size 11 seed bead & thread on so that it sits next the knot. At this stage you are ready to thread your needle & cord through the hole in the clamshell where your knotting will start. 

* The reason I add a small seed bead on the inside of my clamshell is because it adds an extra layer of security against my knot pulling through the hole in the clamshell. This is especially important when using the smaller gauge knotting cords). 

** Also note that some clamshells hinge at the back & some on the side, plus some have hole to use jump rings with & others (like the ones used here have a small arm that you bend to form the link that attaches to clasp. Phew, information overload!

2. The cord should now be exiting your clamshell at the appropriate place. Tie your first knot so that it sits tight against the opening of clamshell. Use you preferred way of knotting, tweezers, awl or fingers… just make sure that your knots are in the correct place before tightening fully…. It is a bear to try to undo knots!

3. At this stage I thread all my beads in the sequence that I desire. With this necklace it went as follow: 1 x 2mm sandblast gold bead, 28 x rubies, 3 x 3mm sandblast gold, 23 x rubies, 1 x 3mm sandblast gold, 7 x rubies and now you are at the mid-point.

4. Attach the Lotus Pond charm to the 4mm round jump ring, using your flat nose & needle nose pliers to open the jump ring. Open to the side & only open enough to allow you to thread on charm, then place cord through the jump ring before carefully closing ring.

5. Finish adding beads to mirror image the first side. Pattern as follows: 7 x rubies, 1 x 3mm sandblast gold, 23 x rubies, 3 x 3mm sandblast gold, 28 x rubies, 1 x 2mm sandblast gold.

6.The griffin silk has a built-in needle that helps a lot with threading your beads. I try to thread the beads straight from the strand they come on, directly onto my griffin silk. * You may find this easier if you trim the needle a little, not so bendy that way!

7. Let the knotting begin! In this piece I knotted between every bead, making sure that the knots were nice and tight against the previous bead.

8. Once you reach the end, do a final knot, then enter into the second clamshell so that you are in the position with cord coming through from outside into the interior of the shell (the opposite of how you started your piece). You will now add a size 11 seed bead & tie one or two knots to tightly secure the seed bead.

9. At this stage I trim or use my Thread Zap to get rid of excess cord…make sure your knots are secure before trimming! I use a little glue to secure the bead/knot to the inside of clam shell…. You do not want excess cord to show when clamshell is closed.

10. If you are using the type of clamshell with 2 rings you may now gently close your clamshell with your needle nose pliers & you can use jump rings to attach lobster claw clasp to clamshell on one end & extension chain on the other end. Open your jump rings with flat nose plier & needle nose plier (one on either side of the break point) open to the side & only as much as needed to thread on clasp or chain, then close so that pieces line up nicely.

11. If you are using the other type of clamshell you will need to take your round nose pliers and manipulate the arm so that it will be enclosed when the clamshell is closed. This acts in place of a jump ring so don’t forget to thread on lobster claw clasp/chain before gently closing your clamshell with needle nose pliers.

12. The chain is finished with a cool wire wrapped dangle. I have taken the headpin added 1 x 2mm sandblast gold, 1 x ruby & 1 x gold saucer bead, then wire wrapped this to the end of the chain. If you do not have wire wrapping in your skill set yet, you could add a petite charm to the end of the chain with a jump ring, this would also be a cool way to finish this necklace.

13. Try on your new necklace & admire your handiwork!

14. Enjoy!

Jewelry designed by Steph Stirniman

Check out how to make the matching Moroccan Lotus & Ruby Earrings