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Natalie Patten's Twisted Briolette Wrap Bail, Contemporary Wire Jewelry. Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, . In this tutorial, Natalie Patten shares an easy way to add a clean, polished finish to your pendants.

Twisted Briolette Wrap Bail

by Natalie Patten
  • Category: Contemporary
  • Technique(s): Making Loops, Wrapping, Twisting
  • Skill Level: Beginner
In this tutorial, Natalie Patten shares an easy way to add a clean, polished finish to your pendants. You'll learn how to make a twisted briolette wrap bail using just one piece of wire, so the gemstone stays front and center.

It's a simple skill that works with many top-drilled stones and sizes.

Materials

39MM Dendrite Agate/Black Jasper Inlay Flat Round Pendant
E1-365
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $7.00
  • Gold Club Price: $5.25
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Wire - 22 gauge in variety of metals (20 inches to 50 inches)
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top-drilled stone pendant
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
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Tools

WireJewelry - Ultimate Wire-Pliers Jewelry Pliers with Case, Set of 5
G15-20
  • G15-20
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $170.72
  • Gold Club Price: $128.04
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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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6 Step Barrel Plier - Pack of 1
G2-503
  • G2-503
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.95
  • Gold Club Price: $11.21
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20 X 15 Inch Padded Work Mat
MAT-620.00
  • MAT-620.00
  • Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
  • Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
  • Price: $14.95
  • Gold Club Price: $11.21
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Instructions
Step 1
Use a stone or cabochon with a top drill hole.

Drill it front to back, or side to side across the top.
Natalie Patten's Twisted Briolette Wrap Bail - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, , Drill it front to back,
Step 2
Place the wire through the drill hole.
Natalie Patten's Twisted Briolette Wrap Bail - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, , Place the wire through the drill hole
Step 3
Find the center point of the wire.

Bring the ends together.

Position the stone in the middle with equal wire lengths on each side.
Natalie Patten's Twisted Briolette Wrap Bail - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, , Bring the ends together.
Step 4
Pinch the wire ends together at the top of the stone.

Make them cross over each other.
Natalie Patten's Twisted Briolette Wrap Bail - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, , Make them cross over each other.
Step 5
Pinch and hold the crossed wire ends together.

Twist the wire by rotating the stone.
Natalie Patten's Twisted Briolette Wrap Bail - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, , Pinch and hold the crossed wire ends together.
Step 6
Pinch and hold the crossed wire ends together.

Twist the wire by rotating the stone.

Gradually move your fingertips up toward the wire ends.

Travel with the twist while turning the stone for even coverage.
Natalie Patten's Twisted Briolette Wrap Bail - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, , Pinch and hold the crossed wire ends
Step 7
Twist the full length of wires together.
Natalie Patten's Twisted Briolette Wrap Bail - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, , Twist the full length of wires
Step 8
Compress the twisted wire with nylon coated pliers.

This neatens the twist.
Natalie Patten's Twisted Briolette Wrap Bail - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, , Compress the twisted wire
Step 9
Use round nose pliers or bail step pliers.

Position the jaws where the wires cross.

Place them below the twist and above the stone tip.
Natalie Patten's Twisted Briolette Wrap Bail - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, , Use round nose pliers or bail step pliers.
Step 10
Bend the wire horizontally over the pliers.
Natalie Patten's Twisted Briolette Wrap Bail - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, , Bend the wire horizontally over
Step 11
Bring the wire around the top jaw of the plier to form a loop.
Natalie Patten's Twisted Briolette Wrap Bail - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, , Bring the wire around the top jaw
Step 12
Bring the twisted wire around underneath to close the loop.
Natalie Patten's Twisted Briolette Wrap Bail - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, , Bring the twisted wire around
Step 13
Wrap the twisted wire around.

Fill the space between the loop and the top of the stone.
Natalie Patten's Twisted Briolette Wrap Bail - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, , Wrap the twisted wire around.
Step 14
Continue to wrap the twisted wire around the tip of the stone.
Natalie Patten's Twisted Briolette Wrap Bail - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, , Continue to wrap the twisted wire
Step 15
Wrap the wire around the stone to cover the drill hole.
Natalie Patten's Twisted Briolette Wrap Bail - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, , Wrap the wire around
Step 16
Cut off any excess wire on the back of the cabochon or pendant.
Natalie Patten's Twisted Briolette Wrap Bail - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, , Cut off any excess wire
Step 17
Use pliers to tuck the tail ends of the wire.

Tuck them into the briolette wrap.

This prevents sharp ends from sticking out and catching.
Natalie Patten's Twisted Briolette Wrap Bail - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, , Tuck them into the briolette wrap.
Step 18
Compress the briolette wrap around the stone.

Press gently with nylon coated pliers.
Natalie Patten's Twisted Briolette Wrap Bail - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, , Press gently with nylon coated pliers.
Step 19
The twisted wires at the back of the stone conceal the wire ends.
Natalie Patten's Twisted Briolette Wrap Bail - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, , conceal the wire ends.
Step 20
Ensure the loop is centered at the top of the pendant.

Make any adjustments to the twists against the stone.

Use pliers gently as required.
Natalie Patten's Twisted Briolette Wrap Bail - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, , Use pliers gently as required.
Step 21
Place a chain or cord through the loop at the top of the bail.

Your pendant is now ready to wear and enjoy!
Natalie Patten's Twisted Briolette Wrap Bail - , Contemporary Wire Jewelry, Loops, Wire Loop, Wrapped Wire Loop, Wire Wrapping, Wrapping, Wire Wrapping Jewelry, , Place a chain or cord through the loop

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