How to bezel set a rivoli with seed beads

In this post, I’ll be showing you how to bezel set a 7mm crystal rivoli using Miyuki Delicas and seed beads.

You can create some really awesome pieces of jewellery by making some of these. Check out my step by step tutorial below!

Materials required

For this project, you’ll need:

• 7mm crystal rivolis in the colour of your choice. (Note – PandaHall has a great selection available in bulk packs.)
• Miyuki Delicas in size 11/0.
• Miyuki round seed beads in size 11/0 and 15/0.
• Beading thread, such as Nymo.
• Beading needle in size 10.

Step 1 – creating a circle of beads

Thread your beading needle with 2 feet of thread and pick up 20 Miyuki Delicas. Move the beads down the thread, leaving an 8-inch tail. Go back through all 20 beads with your needle, and pull the beads into a circle. Go through the first bead only again to close up any gaps.

Step 2 – peyote stitch another row of Miyuki Delicas

Use peyote stitch to work around the circle of beads. Here, you’ll add another 10 Miyuki Delicas. Peyote stitch involves skipping the bead next to the one where your thread is exiting out of, picking up a bead, and going through the bead after the one you’ve skipped. If you’re not sure how to do peyote stitch, check out my easy-to-follow peyote tutorial with pictures here.

Step 3 – peyote a row of seed beads

Just like you did in the previous step, you’ll continue to peyote around the circle of beads you’re creating. Only this time, you’ll pick up Miyuki round seed beads in size 11/0 instead of Delicas.

Step 4 – stepping up into the next row

I didn’t take a picture of this when doing peyote with the Delicas. But this is how you step up to a new row (see pic above). You pick up your last bead in the row – here it’s a size 11/0 seed bead – then you go through the first bead of the last row (the Delica), then go through the first bead in your current row (the first seed bead you picked up). This puts you in place for the next row.

Step 5 – shaping the bezel and adding another row of peyote

You’ll follow exactly the same process as before, but now you’ll use the size 15/0 seed beads. These are smaller and they’ll cinch the beadwork together, making it gather a little. This is how you’ll shape your bezel. As you peyote around, turn the beadwork in on itself, so that you’re not beading outwards, but instead creating that little frame needed for the rivoli.

Step 6 – finishing the front of the beaded bezel

When you’ve done that row, step up and add another row of size 15/0 seed beads. Pull your thread tight so that you pull the beads inwards. When you’ve done this row, there’s no need to step up again. The front is now finished. Take your needle and go through the beads towards the back of the beadwork, as you’ll be doing the back of the bezel next!

Step 7 – peyote the back of the bezel

Use size 15/0 seed beads to peyote around the back of the rivoli. Do two rows, stepping up to each row as shown earlier.

Step 8 – finishing the back of the bezel

Step up to start the third row. (Excuse the different colour beadwork!) But this time, rather than doing normal peyote (pick up a bead, skip a bead, go through the next bead), pick up 3 size 15/0 seed beads and go through the third bead in the row. See pic above.

Repeat this step two more times. Then go up through the middle bead of the first section (set of three beads) you just created. Go directly through the next middle bead of the second section, and then the third. Pull the thread tightly so that it draws those middle 3 beads in and closes up the centre of the back of the bezel.

What the back of the beaded bezel looks like

When you’re done, the back of your beaded rivolis should look something like the above. You can then turn your beaded rivolis into earrings, rings, pendants or even string a few of these little components together to make a bracelet. I created a ring with one of mine, I think it’s really pretty, what do you think?

You can follow exactly the same process with larger rivolis, but you’ll need a larger number of Delica beads to make that first circle. Use an even number of beads if you want to do even count peyote (which is a bit easier than odd count).

Working out how many Delicas you need for the first circle is a trial and error process. Bead a circle of so many beads, then slot your rivoli inside it. You’ll want the circle to fit snugly around the rivoli. If the circle is too big to begin with, you’ll end up with a baggy bezel. If it’s too small, you’ll struggle slotting the rivoli in once you’ve done the front.

I hope you enjoyed this beading tutorial on how to bezel a rivoli! If you make some, let me know how you get on! Before you go, you might like to check out these other beading-related posts here on Craftaholique:

• Silver Pretty Pellet Bracelet Kit Review
• Candy Bead & Memory Wire Cuff Bracelet Tutorial
• Pretty Chevron Beaded Earrings Tutorial

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**All images © Craftaholique.