I’m so excited to share these rhinestone statement earrings — I’ve been wearing them for weeks and getting nonstop questions. They’re a DIY, and credit goes to my friend Cyn (better known as @hotpinkpineapples), who made them and kindly agreed to share the tutorial. When I opened the gift box, I immediately messaged her: “Did you make these? Will you share how?” She said yes to both, and here we are.
Some of the rhinestoned beads Cyn used were new to me, and she found the supplies across several bead and craft stores. These pieces are perfect for a craft night because there are endless color and shape combinations to try. Below Cyn walks through the basics so you can adapt the steps and create many variations.
DIY Statement Earrings
Total Time: About 15 minutes per pair
Supplies
Most supplies are available at local craft stores such as Michaels or Jo-Ann’s. If you prefer shopping online, these are the types of items to look for:
Jewelry tools: flat or needle nose pliers, round nose pliers, wire cutters
Gumball-style rhinestone earrings:
Two 24mm rhinestone gumball/chunky beads
Two flat-back triangle rhinestones (about 19–23mm)
Two 2.5″ eye pins
Four 1″ brass tube spacer beads
Two 10mm end caps
Two flat post earring pieces
Two earring backs
Heart-style rhinestone earrings:
Two heart-shaped flat-back rhinestones (about 33–34mm for pave hearts)
Two round or heart flat-back rhinestones (about 19–23mm)
Two 14mm velvet round beads
Two 2.5″ eye pins
Four 10mm end caps
Two flat post earring pieces
Two earring backs
Directions
Gumball earrings:
1. Flatten two end caps using flat or needle nose pliers so the cap sits flush against a stone and leaves a small loop.
2. Glue a flattened end cap to the bottom of each triangle rhinestone so the small loop hangs off. Glue the flat post earring piece to the rhinestone above the end cap and allow to dry fully.
3. Cut approximately one-third off of two brass tube spacer beads; discard the small cut pieces.
4. Thread an eye pin with the gumball bead, then the larger cut piece of the brass tube spacer (this will sit inside the gumball bead), and then a whole brass tube spacer bead. Make a loop at the top of the eye pin with round nose pliers.
5. Attach the loop from the eye pin to the loop on the dried end cap, then close the loop securely with pliers. Your gumball earrings are complete.
Heart earrings:
1. Flatten four end caps with pliers.
2. Glue a flattened end cap to the bottom of each round rhinestone and to each heart rhinestone so the small loop hangs off; allow glue to dry.
3. Open the loop of an eye pin, hook it through the loop on a dried heart rhinestone, and close the loop with pliers to secure.
4. Thread a velvet bead onto the eye pin below the heart, then form a loop at the top of the bead with round nose pliers and trim any excess wire.
5. Hook the top loop to the loop on the smaller rhinestone with the dried end cap and close to secure. Repeat for the second earring.
Photos by Jeff Mindell | Tutorial + Concept by Cyn of Hot Pink Pineapples
I can’t wait to see you all wearing these. I promised it was the year of the statement earring, and these are a perfect addition. Huge thanks to Cyn for sharing her creativity. If you enjoy colorful DIYs like this, consider following her work and playful projects.
p.s. Try this technique with other embellishments, like confetti or different shaped rhinestones, to make the design your own.