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Learn a Weave

Japanese Diamond Earrings

Using different sized jump rings in a Japanese weave allows you to form a diamond shape. The Japanese chain mail weave is an excellent weave for beginners.

For one pair of earrings, you will need:

68 red enamelled copper jump rings, id 3.2mm, 0.81mm (rd2-32cpr-rd) - A
16 bright aluminium jump rings, id 5mm, 1.29mm (rd4-50bral) – B
16 bright aluminium jump rings, id 6.9mm, 1.29mm (rd6-50bral) – C
2 bright aluminium jump rings, id 10.3mm, 1.63mm (rd10-64bral) – D
2 silver plated eyepins, 25mm
2 black fire polished Czech glass beads, 8mm
one pair of earwires

Tools:

two pairs of smooth faced chain nose or flat nose pliers
round nose pliers
cutters

1. Thread one eyepin with one 8mm bead. Make a loop, making sure both loops are facing the same way. For detailed instructions on how to make a loop, go to Making a Basic Loop.
2. Close thirty two red jump rings (A). Open one large ring (D) and thread eight red rings (A), one end of the beaded eyepin, eight more red rings (A) and the other end of the eyepin. Close ring (D).
3. Thread four red rings (A) onto one ring (B). Link ring (B) through the first two red rings to the right of the attached eyepin on the large jump ring (D). Repeat with a second ring (B).
4. Thread two red rings (A) onto one ring (C). Link ring (C) through the next two red rings on the large ring (D) and two red rings joined to rings (B) from step 3. Repeat with a second ring (C)
5. Thread two red rings (A) onto one ring (B). Link ring (B) through the next two red rings on the large ring (D) and two red rings joined to rings (C) from step 4. Repeat with a second ring (C).
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 twice.
7. Link one ring (C) through the last pair of red rings added, the remaining two rings on the large ring (D) and two red rings added in step 3. Repeat with a second ring (C).
8. Link one red ring (A) through one pair of rings (C) and your earwire. Repeat with a second ring (A).
9. Repeat steps 1-8 to make a second earring.

Variations

Use coloured aluminium rings instead of bright aluminium.