Biwa Pearls Necklace

by Wanda

Biwa pearls are also called stick pearls. I purchased these shiny white biwa pearls at a bead show in Costa Mesa, CA.

I was attracted to their iridescence, which has a hints of light purple or pink depending upon how the light hits each pearl.

These pearls make great beaded wedding jewelry designs. Of course, white is a classic color to use in making wedding jewelry, but biwa pearls come in many, many colors.

You should be able to find a color to match or coordinate with your chosen wedding color scheme.

This is a simple necklace made using basic bead stringing techniques. If you are unfamiliar with stringing beads, practice the techniques in this

How to String Beads Tutorial.


Jewelry Making Supplies

one strand of biwa pearls, 16" (40.6 cm)
13 4mm round crystal AB beads
25 3mm sterling silver rondelle beads
2 crimp beads
2 8mm closed jump rings
1 hook clasp
.012 or .014mm diameter flexible beading wire


Jewelry Making Tools

Wire cutters
Crimping pliers
chain nose pliers


Jewelry Making Instructions

Step One:
Decide on a length for your necklace. Add six inches to that measurement. Using wire cutters, cut a length of beading wire to that length.

Step Two:
Center one 4mm crystal bead onto the beading wire. String one 3mm rondelle bead on both sides of the crystal. (Photo 1)

Step Three:
One each side of the 3mm rondelle bead string this pattern: one biwa pearl, one 3mm rondelle bead, one 4mm crystal bead, one 3mm rondelle bead. (Photo 1)

Step Four:
Repeat Step 3 until you are within one inch of the finished length of your necklace.

Step Five:
On one end of the beading wire, string one crimp bead and one closed jump ring. Thread the beading wire back through the crimp bead and the next three beads. Tighten the wire. (Photo 2)

Step Six:
Using crimping pliers, crimp the crimp bead and trim the excess wire.

Step Seven:
Repeat Steps 5 and 6 on the second end of the beading wire.

Step Eight:
Using chain nose pliers, open the wire loop on the hook clasp. Slide the second closed jump ring onto the wire loop. (Photo 3) Using the chain nose pliers, close the wire loop.

You're done!