How to Wire Wrap a Heart-Shaped Gemstone

Wire wrap jewelery was very common throughout the Ancient Egyptian era, and is currently one of the most popular jewelery styles around. From necklaces to bracelets and earrings, the look can be altered by using different metals and jewels, and is easy to match to an outfit. It's also surprisingly easy and fun to make, and the jewelery makes great presents. Once you've got started, you can even add elegant details such as heart-shaped gemstones, which really transform the look of the piece.

• 1

  Place your heart gemstone onto a piece of paper, and draw around it carefully.

• 2

  Hold your mandrel to the piece of paper and identify which part of the mandrel is the same size as the drawing.

• 3

  Wrap the wire around the correct section of the mandrel. Most wire-wrapped jewelery is made using 16 gauge wire, but you could also use 18 gauge.

• 4

  Clip the wire when the length of the wire around the mandrel is the same as the length of your drawing. You can check this by holding the mandrel to the page. Ensure you clip the wire straight, and do not create any sharp edges on the coil.

• 5

  Pull the coil into a heart shape by holding it over the drawing and pulling with round-nosed pliers.

• 6

  Slide the heart gemstone into the bottom of the coil, and use the pliers to close the hole.

• 7

  Wind the two loose ends together and wrap a small piece of wire around the joint, sealing with pliers.