Byzantine Chainmaille Tutorial

1. Open all of your rings except 2. These 2 rings need to be closed.

 

2. Now place the 2 closed rings onto an open ring, and then close the ring.

 3. A 2^nd open ring now needs to be added to the original 2 closed rings. This will give you a chain of 2-2 rings.

4. Add 2 new open rings to the 2 rings just added. This will give you a 2-2-2 chain

5. You now need to ‘fold back’ the new rings you have just added, one above the chain and one below. 

6. Going between the 2 rings that are now sticking out, you now need to add 2 new open rings to the exposed edge of the 2 folded back rings. This then ‘locks’ the folded back rings into place.

7. Add 2 new rings to the rings just added.

 

8. Again, add 2 new rings to the rings just added.

9. Fold back the latest 2 rings added, again 1 above the chain and 1 below.

10. Going between the 2 rings that are sticking out, add 2 new rings to the exposed edge of the folded back rings, locking them into place. 

11. You now have one complete unit of Byzantine.

Repeat steps 7-10 until your chain reaches the required length.

 

12. Add an open ring to the last 2 rings of the chain to add one half of the clasp. Repeat at the other end of the chain for the other half of the clasp.

Congratulations! You have now made yourself a Byzantine Chainmaille Bracelet.

© Shazzabeth Creations

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A to Z of Gemstones - N is for Nephrite

Nephrite is one of two different minerals referred to as Jade, the other being Jadeite. Nephrite is essentially a calcium silicate composition with varying amounts of iron. The origin of the word Nephrite comes from the Greek word nephros meaning kidney.

Frequently now referred to as Nephrite Jade, Nephrite, Jade, Greenstone and Pounamu are just some of the names given to this semi-precious green stone revered across many cultures for thousands of years. The Chinese refer to Jade as "yu" which means "heavenly" or "imperial".

Nephrite is more common than Jadeite and deposits have been found in New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, China, Canada, Zimbabwe, Russia, Taiwan, Alaska and Poland. British Columbia is the largest source of Nephrite Jade in the world. It is easily the most sought after because of its deep and light green colouration.

The colour of Nephrite can vary depending on its source and quality. Commonly it is envisioned as an imperial green stone yet can hold almost any shade of green, orange, black, white, blue, grey and yellow.

Jade plays a part in the history of New Zealand. It has been treasured for many years by the Maoris who call it Pounamu, Greenstone or NZ Jade. Pounamu has been made into Maori tools and weapons. Nephrite today is believed to be a stone of dreams. It is thought that it can bless whatever it touches.

Pictured above is a wire sculptured pendant that I made using Nephrite Jade, and which for once, I kept for myself.

Below are some more examples of Nephrite Jade jewellery made by members of the Jewelry on Etsy team.

Jade Gold Pendant Necklace by Lees Earring Boutique

Green Nephrite Jade Sterling Silver Necklace by The Silver Bear

Hunter Green Jade Earrings by Nikha Jewelry

Pendants Complete!

Well, after a very busy weekend I now have 15 new gemstone pendants ready to go on sale in the Handmade shop. Most have been done using cabochons but 3 have been made with uncut gemstones. All have been made with sterling silver, most with square wire but a few with round wire.

I was asked whether these were my own designs, and yes they are. To be honest, although I have a general formula I tend to use for wrapping cabs, especially when like this I'm making a lot at once, once the stone is wrapped I just play with the wire on each pendant, deciding as I go what to do with each one.

With the stones that are more just a plain colour I am more likely to have the wires sweeping across the stone, using the stone as a backdrop for the wire. However, the more ornate or patterned a stone is, the less I will have the wires going across the stone, instead trying to use them more to enhance it.

Thus you can see from these two pictures that no two pendants are the same in terms of the wire wrapping/decorating.

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Work in Progress - Pendants

Having filled out a stockist application for the shop at the Handmade Expo in Wellington I am now busy making the jewellery I said I would stock.

I'm currently working on making gemstone pendants having stated that I would supply 15. The pendant shown as half completed in the picture is now finished so I am 4 down 11 to go with several stones waiting to be wrapped.

Watch this space for the complete range - hopefully within a couple of days.

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