In this post, I’ll be sharing a unique and versatile DIY project for a pearl scarf necklace that adds a touch of “old money aesthetic” to any outfit.
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Today, I’m excited to share a unique DIY project for a pearl scarf necklace that can be completed in just an afternoon. It’s the perfect accessory to add a touch of “old money aesthetic” to any outfit.
As a huge accessory-lover myself, the concept for this piece struck me while I was debating between wearing a neck scarf or a statement pearl necklace with an outfit. It dawned on me that combining the two would make a unique and versatile accessory that I’d reach for quite often.
If you’ve read my beginner jewelry making tips, you’ll find that today’s project falls into the easy-medium difficulty level category.
What’s great about this pearl scarf necklace is that it’s highly customizable. By swapping out the scarf and pendants, you can create endless variations to coordinate with tons of different outfits.
For this DIY, you’ll need a small-sized scarf, preferably made of a lightweight fabric like silk or chiffon. Luckily, I own a wide collection of thrifted scarves (one of my favorite thrift store sections) in various patterns and materials.
If you don’t have scarves on hand, consider using a piece of scrap fabric cut into a square shape. Depending on the material, you may need to hem it, which can be easily achieved with a simple needle and thread for a hand-rolled hem.
There’s an undeniable timeless charm to pearls. If you appreciate the old money aesthetic, this project is right up your alley. However, pearls can also add a fun twist to edgier outfits by introducing an unexpected element or blending different styles.
DIY Pearl Scarf Necklace Tutorial
Materials
- beading wire – the gauge will depend on the width of your pearl bead holes (I used 0.38 mm)
- crimp beads
- basic jewelry making tools: round nose pliers, wire cutters (I recommend this set!)
- bead crimping pliers
- lobster clasp or push gate clasp
- jump rings
- carabiner clasp
- ruler or tape measurer
- pearl beads
- square scarf or scrap fabric (ideally around 20×20 inches in a lightweight material)
- assorted charms and pendants, optional (my favorite Etsy shop for fun charms)
How To Make An “Old Money Aesthetic” Beaded Pearl Scarf Necklace
1. Calculate Length
Before you start, you’ll need to decide on the overall length of the pearl/beaded half of the necklace. I recommend keeping it on the shorter side – somewhere around collarbone length. However, the final necklace length is slightly adjustable since you can choose how tight or loose to tie the scarf.
You can measure a necklace you already have and divide the length in half to get an approximate length for the beaded side. The beaded half of my necklace turned out to be around 10.5 inches (including the clasp closures). But the pearl section itself was around 7 inches. Again, this will all depend on the size of your clasps and your personal preference.
Note: If you want to recreate my version, follow the exact measurements in the steps below. If not, you’ll need to adjust the measurements according to your specific sizing.
2. Add The First Crimp
Insert one end of the beading wire through the crimp bead, then loop it back into the crimp to form a small loop. Ensure the loop is large enough to accommodate a jump ring. Leave a 3-inch tail of the beading wire on one side.
With the crimping pliers, position the crimp bead in the notched indentation, ensuring both ends of the wire run parallel inside the crimp. Squeeze the pliers to create the initial indentation. Rotate the crimp bead 90 degrees in the pliers, aligning the wire strands on top of each other. Squeeze the pliers again to secure the crimp bead. Finally, trim the short wire tail to around 1 inch.
3. String The Pearl Beads
String the pearl beads until you have reached a length of 7 inches on the beading wire. Tuck the short wire tail into the first few beads to conceal it within.
4. Add The Second Crimp
To complete the strand, add another crimp bead. Thread the crimp bead and press it firmly against the last pearl bead. Secure the crimp in place and form a loop with the remaining beading wire by threading it back through the crimp bead. Adjust the wire to create a small loop. For ease, consider adding a jump ring before creating the loop to have a stable grip while tightening the wire.
Repeat the process of securing the crimp bead with the crimping pliers. Trim the second wire tail near the crimp bead or hide it by tucking it into the last few pearl beads on the strand. Your strand of beaded pearls should now be securely fastened with two small loops at each end.
5. Add Jump Rings And Clasps
Add jump rings to both ends of the beaded strand using needle-nose pliers, then attach clasps.
For my design, I decided to use a lobster clasp and a large spring clasp on one end, and a carabiner clasp on the other. These clasps have opening mechanisms which allow you to effortlessly attach various charms later for customization and flexibility. Tip: if you skip the lobster clasp and only use the spring clasp, the necklace ends up being reversible as well.
6. Attach The Scarf
To secure your scarf, loop it through the back spring clasp and tie it to the carabiner. Experiment with various tying techniques. Tip: if your scarf tends to slip, fold it diagonally several times to make it narrower and secure it in the middle with a few stitches. However, reserve this method for scarves you plan on wearing frequently with this necklace.
This DIY pearl scarf necklace is the perfect way to infuse a hint of “old money aesthetic” into any ensemble. By combining a neck scarf with a statement pearl necklace, you can create a unique and versatile accessory that can be customized to fit your personal style. With just a few basic jewelry making tools and materials, this project can be finished in a single afternoon, and could easily become your favorite handmade jewelry piece.
Looking for more inspo!? Check out my Pinterest for tons of lifestyle, DIY, and crafting inspo… updated daily!
This post was all about a DIY pearl scarf necklace. If you like this content, check out these posts below!
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Xx- Laura
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