How to Make Pearl Earrings

Last Updated: September 23, 2021 Tested

Pearl earrings are easy to make, yet they convey elegance and sophistication. Whether you're making them for yourself, giving them as a gift, or starting your own little jewelry business, you can make these earrings quickly and easily yourself.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Preparing Your Pearls and Equipment

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/37\/Make-Pearl-Earrings-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Pearl-Earrings-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/37\/Make-Pearl-Earrings-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid238402-v4-728px-Make-Pearl-Earrings-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Choose beautiful, real pearls for your earrings. Real pearls should have a slightly rough surface that creates friction. They will also not be perfectly round. However, it is almost impossible to tell if a pearl is real. ^{[1]
X
Research source} Make sure the pearls you are using are the size and shape you’re looking for. They’ll also need a hole to run the pin through them.
Use clean pearls . If you need to clean your pearls, there are effective and easy ways of doing that without damaging the pearls. You’ll need designated jewelry cleaner and a soft cloth. Avoid ammonia, harsh chemicals, ultrasonic cleaners, toothbrushes and other abrasives. Use only jewelry cleaners specifically labeled as safe for pearls.

Advertisement
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Make-Pearl-Earrings-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Pearl-Earrings-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Make-Pearl-Earrings-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/aid238402-v4-728px-Make-Pearl-Earrings-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

This is not absolutely necessary but very helpful. Assembling both earrings together will make it easier for you to do each step, particularly when you’re new to the process. This also tends to make each step for one earring consistent with each step for its matching earring.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Make-Pearl-Earrings-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Pearl-Earrings-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Make-Pearl-Earrings-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/aid238402-v4-728px-Make-Pearl-Earrings-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

4
Prepare your equipment, including safety equipment. Don’t forget to wear safety goggles as well to protect your eyes. You’ll also need two headpins, two French hook earring wires, round nose pliers, and wire cutters. Headpins and earring wires are available at craft stores or art supply outlets.
- Headpins are straight pins that have a ball or a flat circular surface at one end to stop a pearl or bead from sliding off. Decide whether you want a flat or balled end, and whether you’d like a silver or brass/gold-colored pin. ^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
- French hook earring wires are long, curved hooks that go through the ear and hang on their own; they don’t require an earring back.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Assembling Pearl Bead Earrings

Download Article

It should not slide off the other side, but be held in place by the flat head or ball head of the pin. So, let the pearl slide to that side of the headpin. ^{[3]
X
Research source}
Bend close to the pearl, just about a half centimeter above it. Use your hands to bend the pin above the pearl at approximately an 80 degree angle. ^{[4]
X
Research source}
Grip the bent wire with round nose pliers directly above the pearl.
Start making a loop by bending the headpin clockwise around the tip of the round nose pliers. Adjust your pliers if you need to. ^{[5]
X
Research source}
The loop should not be very large. It should wrap nicely around the round nose pliers so that it’s just the circumference of the end of the pliers.
Use wire cutters to cut off the extra wire that does not form part of the loop. Cut above the loop so that just the loop is remaining. Always protect your eyes with safety goggles when cutting wire.
Using your round nose pliers, open the loop just enough to slide the French hooks onto the loop.
Re-close the loop completely to prevent the hooks from slipping out. All finished!

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Can I use paper clips?

Community Answer

It will hurt more, and be more uncomfortable. They're also harder to bend, so it is best if you do not use paper clips.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 9
Question

Can I make them with fake pearls?

Community Answer

Yes. Those are a lot cheaper and still very pretty. Fake pearls come in stands in oodles of metallic colors (or you can just stick with the classic white or cream).

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 9
Question

What can I use instead of wires?

Community Answer

You can make your own earring wires out of plain wire instead of buying them pre-made, but it's best to just use something made of metal, like a paper clip.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 4

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Protect your eyes when cutting the wire by using safety glasses.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

Things You'll Need

Two headpins of 2 inches (5.1 cm)
Two or more pearls of your choice
Two French hook earring wires
Round nose pliers
Wire cutters
Safety glasses

You Might Also Like

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

Log in

How to Make Pearl Earrings

Steps

Preparing Your Pearls and Equipment

Assembling Pearl Bead Earrings

Community Q&A

Tips

Warnings

Things You'll Need

You Might Also Like

References

About This Article

Reader Success Stories

Did this article help you?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Explore Categories