How to Make Byzantine Maille Jewelry

Complex in appearance, Byzantine chain maille is actually quite straightforward to make as jewelry, whether earrings, bracelets or necklaces. By repeating a sequence of steps until you reach the desired length of chain, you can use rings of various sizes to make the chain from nearly any type of metal. Depending on your jewelry project, you may add beads, fastenings and other hardware. For beginning artisans, work with a large enough ring size so that you can manage the joinings with greater ease.

Instructions

1

Take six rings and open two of them with pliers. Close four rings.

2

String the four closed rings on one of the open rings. Close the open ring. Close the other open ring in the same manner, so that there are two rings joining two pairs of rings, a pair on either side.

3

Arrange the rings so that there are three sections of two rings each, from left to right.

4

Bring back the rightmost two rings so that they form a V-shape enclosing the first pair of rings. Use the awl, if necessary, to separate the individual pieces as you work.

5

Take an open ring and place it between both the two horizontal rings and the two vertical rings, then close the ring. Attach a second open ring in the same way.

6

Take two closed rings and string them onto an open ring. Place the strung open ring through the rings you just added and close the ring. Add another open ring and close it.

7

Create the V-formation again with this new portion of the chain and repeat the previous steps until you obtain the length of Byzantine maille chain you wish. Join a clasp to the finished chain for a necklace or bracelet.