DIY Vintage Statement Necklace

I’m addicted to collecting vintage rhinestone necklaces. Not only can they be inexpensive, they are great pieces to DIY with since most of the time, they are much too small to fit comfortably around the neck. And thanks to the jewelry trailblazers behind Lulu Frost, Dylanlex and Dannijo, I was inspired to rework some sparklers that were just not sufficient enough to wear on their own. It’s a straightforward project, as long as you have the right tools and tips . . . which of course, I’ll share with you. Follow along!

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You’ll need:

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For this particular project, I used 2 vintage rhinestone necklaces and 2 antique silver chains. The idea is to alternate between chain and rhinestone necklaces – I wanted to use the silver curb chain as my base, then a rhinestone necklace with a repetitive pattern, then another thinner, flatter silver chain and then finish with a more decorative rhinestone necklace – preferably with some graduation and a center drop. And since each necklace will get shorter and shorter, I picked rhinestone necklaces that had designs and patterns on the lower halves. Each necklace and chain also needs to have some sort of open link to attach jump rings to.

Start by laying the base chain down first. Then layer the rhinestone necklace right below it. Adjust the opening of the necklace as if it’s laying on your neck.

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Open a jump ring and hook it between two rhinestone links.

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Attach it to a link on the chain and close tightly.

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Lay it flat, into the same starting position. The bottom necklace should be hugging the chain. Repeat on the other side. Then, before adding a third jump ring in the middle, count the number of links to make sure the 2 middle points match. Hold it up to the neck to make sure the jump rings don’t need adjusting before trimming off the tail ends of the rhinestone necklace.

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Lay the next chain component along the bottom of the last layer. Using a jump ring, attach it to a link on the rhinestone necklace.

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Repeat on the other side and add another link in the middle. Hold up against the neck to make sure no adjustments need to be made before trimming the chain. If the sections between the jump rings are collapsing, it might need to be tightened or loosened by removing a jump ring and inching outwards or inwards.

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Lastly, lay the final rhinestone necklace component along the last layer. Add jump rings to attach.

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Hold up against the neck again before trimming the necklace. Add a lobster clasp and a large jump ring to the ends of the base chain.

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Go back and add any additional jump rings after trying on the necklace. It should lay flat!

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Your revamped vintage necklaces have been transformed into a WOW piece. Have fun!

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(images by HonestlyWTF)

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67 Comments

  1. Mira wrote:

    Wow what a beautiful diy statement necklace. One of my favorites so far. I love it 😀

    xx Mira

    http://www.glamdevils.com

    1.15.14
    Reply
  2. Tibs wrote:

    Wow, that is a beautiful statement piece! No way i could make it myself… I will stick with this butterfly one…

    http://shoptravelfood.blogspot.hu/2014/01/a-peacock-butterfly.html

    1.15.14
    Reply
  3. Rachelle wrote:

    This is awesome, I want that necklace.

    xo
    PinkSole

    1.15.14
    Reply
  4. Amazing! I’m going to have to pick up some vintage bling to try this on! I love the combo of edgy chains and girly rhinestones.
    -Christine
    http://thehitchcockiancockatoo.blogspot.com/

    1.15.14
    Reply
  5. Wow is right! So in love with this and will definitely try it out! ~ ashleigh

    My jewelry blog: http://www.joliejouel.com

    1.15.14
    Reply
  6. That is a pretty fabulous DIY!

    1.15.14
    Reply
  7. Wow this is STUNNING..great DIY..I would totally rock that!
    Sheree xxx

    1.15.14
    Reply
  8. I didn’t know it was this easy to make! Love it! I love this greyish silver. =)

    http://love-your-ego.blogspot.de

    1.15.14
    Reply
  9. This is so fun! I love dressing up bits of jewelry!

    xo, Juliette Laura
    http://juliettelaura.blogspot.com
    http://www.etsy.com/shop/InfiniteStyleShop

    1.15.14
    Reply
  10. Charnele wrote:

    Love this! Don’t know if i can pull it off though

    xo,
    Cha Cha
    Cha Cha The Fashion Genius

    1.15.14
    Reply
  11. Q wrote:

    I wouldnt try too make it… but I love the results.

    http://www.myclayexperience.com/

    1.15.14
    Reply
  12. STEL STYLE wrote:

    Gorgeous DIY! I love it!!

    DIY BLOG
    http://www.stelstyle.com

    1.15.14
    Reply
  13. Alice wrote:

    Great design love this xx

    Thanks for sharing

    Regards,
    Alice

    http://everythingfor10pounds.co.uk

    1.15.14
    Reply
  14. Anita wrote:

    OMG this is definitely my fav DIY necklace that you’ve ever posted!!! love love love. 🙂

    1.15.14
    Reply
  15. Ambyr wrote:

    This is amazing. I love the heavy mixture of dainty, girly pieces. I can’t wait to try my own mix of layered necklaces.

    xoxo
    http://www.thewrittenrunway.com

    1.15.14
    Reply
  16. 1.15.14
    Reply
  17. Elisa wrote:

    I really love that idea 🙂

    My Fantabulous World

    1.15.14
    Reply
  18. Wow! Great piece, simple, elegant layering at its best.

    Check out the ALL NEW B.A.D blog.. http://blogaboutdesign.com

    1.15.14
    Reply
  19. Jen wrote:

    I LOVE a DIY project and this one is so fun and cool looking. Great idea. xo

    http://modernensemble.com

    1.15.14
    Reply
  20. Julie Khuu wrote:

    Yowzas! She looks soooooo expensive! Fabulous job with the layering! I can see this polished up with some gorgeous neon for spring! Props!

    xo-Julie
    Peace. Love. LOL!

    Haute Khuuture Blog

    1.15.14
    Reply
  21. lena wrote:

    this is an amazing tutorial! thank you so much 🙂

    http://gregoryxgregory.blogspot.de

    1.15.14
    Reply
  22. Iren wrote:

    GREAT DIY! <3

    xoxo Iren
    http://www.liakw.com

    1.15.14
    Reply
  23. This is great! I can’t wait to try it.
    http://www.christinasstyle.com

    1.15.14
    Reply
  24. Love this! Great post!

    http://berrytrendy.com/

    1.15.14
    Reply
  25. Jodi wrote:

    This is so beautiful and so simple. Thank you for sharing this.
    A definite DIY in my very near future as well as many other ladies I’m sure.

    Jodi
    http://www.thelastcleantshirt.com

    1.15.14
    Reply
  26. vreeniii wrote:

    such a great idea. and such a beautiful result. thanks for this.

    groetjes
    vreeni from freak in you

    1.15.14
    Reply
  27. Lauren wrote:

    This looks great, does not look like separate necklaces at all!
    Lauren
    livinginaboxx

    1.16.14
    Reply
  28. great idea 🙂

    http://style-wisdom.blogspot.de

    xsophie

    1.16.14
    Reply
  29. meg wrote:

    So darn clever-putting two necklace together!
    Love it!

    http://happinessiscreating.com/

    1.16.14
    Reply
  30. Wow, amazing idea, thank you for this

    1.16.14
    Reply
  31. Sarah wrote:

    Alright where the hell did you get your jacket?

    1.16.14
    Reply
  32. Josie wrote:

    I’m so glad big, statement jewelry is coming back in style!

    http://www.hautetrader.com

    trade your fashions (!)

    1.16.14
    Reply
  33. Alli wrote:

    love it! it would look even more unique painted a bright neon color.
    alliavenue.etsy.com

    1.16.14
    Reply
  34. Heidi wrote:

    Love this! I have a few very old rhinestone bracelets from a friend of my grandmother’s I don’t wear them nearly often enough and I really like the idea of making them into a necklace.

    http://jax-and-jewels.blogspot.com

    1.18.14
    Reply
  35. María wrote:

    So pretty!! and not only the necklace, but also that lovely jacket!
    Really loved it!
    xx

    1.19.14
    Reply
  36. Awesome
    XO CHAMAFASHION
    http://www.chamafashion.com/

    1.19.14
    Reply
  37. Sheila wrote:

    Brilliant idea!! You’re very talented and creative. I’m going to try this and have everything but the bookchain and I have never seen it for sale, only in pieces I admire. Where can I find it? I have a big box of old rhinestone necklaces I’ve collected that I can have some fun with now! I just need some bookchain.
    Thanks so much, I am going to follow you for sure!

    1.21.14
    Reply
  38. lizzie wrote:

    can you PLEASE tell me what this pink coat is that you’re wearing? where is it from?!

    1.21.14
    Reply
  39. micky wrote:

    This is awesome, I want that necklace.I really like the idea of making them into a necklace.

    1.24.14
    Reply
  40. katanuga wrote:

    wooooowww awesomeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! love it!!!

    http://lovetodiy.webs.com/bolsos

    1.30.14
    Reply
  41. Jackie wrote:

    Wow! This is absolutely stunning.

    How long did it take you to make it?

    2.15.14
    Reply
  42. Shania wrote:

    Wowww.. super amazing!!!! I have also a collection of coin necklace, check it out http://www.youtube.com/user/coinnecklace

    3.12.14
    Reply
  43. Michelle wrote:

    Simply WOW! Amazing necklace…

    4.30.14
    Reply
  44. Zen wrote:

    Keep these tutorials coming! You’re one of my fav sources of inspiration! 🙂

    7.4.14
    Reply
  45. Maya N wrote:

    Thanks, awesome ideas and well design of necklace. Great collections for the sale. Especially dress with the necklace will make my day perfect. Gotta take some time now to check out each piece! Love it!!!! I found interesting collections at: http://www.vintagemaya.com/fashion/women/jewelry.html

    7.14.14
    Reply
  46. this is perfect. I have several necklaces already that I collected for a project and this makes the design clear on how to make it happen. Thanks Girlfriend, I’ve subscribed to your feed and will be awaiting more fabulous redo’s.

    8.23.14
    Reply
  47. jean wrote:

    Do you sell your pieces anywhere? I love your stuff!

    9.28.14
    Reply
  48. jean wrote:

    Can I buy this??

    9.28.14
    Reply
  49. I need to go through my stash of old jewellery to see if I have anything I can use for this!

    10.10.14
    Reply
  50. Just included this in my Top 3 statement necklace DIY round-up on hapinesswherever.wordpress.com 🙂

    8.25.15
    Reply
  51. This necklace looks very beautiful, diy necklace is my favourite jewelry, I got a personalized name necklace from http://www.namestylish.com/, Love the design!

    11.23.15
    Reply
  52. looks like Dylan lex! love it

    12.3.15
    Reply
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    3.5.16
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    3.5.16
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    3.5.16
    Reply
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    3.5.16
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    3.5.16
    Reply
  58. Kristine Insalaco-Gaioni wrote:

    Can you send me more info on where I can buy the chains, the links do not work.

    Thank you

    4.16.18
    Reply