Tourmalinated Quartz Wrapped Chain Necklace

This handmade Argentium Sterling Silver necklace features natural tourmalinated quartz gemstones, individually wire wrapped with hand forged silver accents for a beautifully detailed design that's easy to wear every day.

• Materials: Argentium Sterling Silver and natural tourmalinated quartz
• Gemstones: 4 mm faceted cube shaped quartz with natural black tourmaline inclusions
• Length: 16 inches, adjustable to 18 inches
• Weight: Approximately 16.2 grams
• Hammered silver bars: Approximately 0.6 inch (15 mm) and 0.8 inch (20 mm) long
• Width: Approximately 4 mm throughout the design
• Closure: Lobster claw clasp with a built in 2 inch extender chain and gemstone cube dangle
• Construction: Individually wire wrapped gemstones, hand forged silver bars, and handmade silver connecting links
• Natural variation: Each necklace has its own unique arrangement of tourmaline inclusions and subtle variations in the hand forged silver

I was immediately drawn to these beautiful little tourmalinated quartz gemstones. Tourmalinated quartz is clear quartz containing naturally formed needlelike crystals of black tourmaline, creating delicate threads and striking linear patterns within the stone. What I especially loved about this particular group was the incredible range of patterns. Some were almost completely clear with just a few fine black threads, while others were so heavily included that they appeared nearly black. The 4 mm faceted cube shapes added another interesting geometric element, and I knew I wanted to build a design around all those beautiful lines and edges.

I began by sorting the gemstones into four groups, from the clearest stones to the darkest. Rather than creating one continuous progression of color, I arranged them in a repeating pattern of light and dark, carefully mirroring the arrangement on either side of the center stone. This allows the different shades and patterns to play against one another throughout the necklace, highlighting the individual character of each gemstone.

To complement the linear patterns within the quartz, I created a series of hand forged silver bars from substantial 12 gauge Argentium Sterling Silver wire. Each bar is hammered by hand, flaring the ends in opposite directions to create a gently elongated shape. I then smooth and round the edges, drill the connecting holes, and carefully finish each piece. The subtle hammered texture catches the light differently from the sparkling faceted gemstones, adding another layer of interest without overwhelming the delicate scale of the design.

Each gemstone is individually wire wrapped with a spiral of silver that encircles the stone. I especially love this detail with smaller gemstones. The slightly heavier silver wrapping gives each tiny cube a more substantial presence, almost as though the stone is nestled into the metal rather than simply connected to the next link.

I also made small oval connecting links to separate the gemstones from the hammered bars and allow the necklace to move naturally. The arrangement begins with seven gemstones across the front, followed by alternating short and long hammered bars and additional gemstones along each side. Although the elements vary in length, I kept their widths around 4 mm to create a consistent, substantial feel all the way around the necklace.

The result is a necklace that feels delicate in scale but wonderfully solid in its construction. I love how the clear quartz, black tourmaline, and bright white silver work together. It's an easy combination to dress up, wear with jeans and a T shirt, or layer with other favorites. There is plenty of sparkle, but it's the small details, the individual gemstone patterns, the silver spirals, and the hand forged texture, that make this design especially interesting up close.

I made four of these necklaces, and each has its own beautiful combination of natural gemstone patterns and subtle handmade variations.