I love multi-strand necklaces and I love rainbows! So I created a multi-strand layered necklace out of stainless steel chain and rainbow colored jump rings. It can take some time to make, but I'm very happy with the result. It may remind you of my rainbow ribbon chain necklace, but what can I say, I like what I like!

I'll walk through how I made this rainbow and stainless steel chain necklace, but there are many ways you can change things up.

This necklace coordinates well with the multi strand earrings I posted previously.

Check out my shop on Etsy! You can also purchase this necklace on Etsy.

Instructable 359

Supplies

Most of the supplies were purchased from JewelryToolBox and BeadMeAStory on Etsy. Whatever you use, make sure the jump rings will fit on the chain links.

Surgical Steel Chain: 3x4mm Oval Open Links - I like open link, if you have closed link you'll need a wire cutter.
Anodized Aluminum Colored Jump Rings: 18g, 3/16", ID 5mm
I used Red Shiny, Orange Shiny, Yellow Shiny, Green Shiny, Sapphire Blue Shiny, Purple Ink Shiny, Rose Pink Shiny
End Bar Connector (6 loop) Antique Silver Plated Metal (25x13mm)
Lobster Clasp Stainless Steel
A couple jump rings - if you need to use them to connect chains or jump rings, you'll need more than a couple.
Needle Nose Pliers
Nylon Flat Nose Jewelry Pliers - I find having 2 handy for prying apart the colored jump rings

Any Amazon links are Amazon Associates links.

Step 1: Plan Your Necklace and Jump Rings

To start, you need to decide how many jump rings you'll use and where they'll go.

I decided I wanted 6 strands (since my connector had 6 loops) and I wanted 4 of each color of jump ring. With 7 colors that makes 28 total jump rings. I also knew I wanted the chains to get slightly longer as I go.

Next, I did a rough plan of where the jump rings to go. I ended up doing 2 rows of 4 jump rings and 4 rows of 5 jump rings. Since they don't have the same out of jump rings, I'll have to add a tiny bit extra length to those to strands that will have only 4 jump rings.

Step 2: Chains

You need to plan out the chain lengths. Mine were planned specifically around how big the jump rings are and how long the connector + clasp is. My lengths result in a necklace that is about 15".

My lengths are: 12.25" 12.75" 13.25" 13.75" 14.25" and 14.75"

So, like I mentioned, since the first two strands only have 4 jump rings, I'll need to accommodate. I decided to just make sure I added 2 extra links onto the lengths. So 12.25" + 2 links.

To keep things organized, I put my chains on ornament hook wires because they are bendable and I have a lot sitting around. You can pre-organize all your chains now if you want, I got them ready as I went.

Something else I planned ahead of time is how far back would be the furthest back I would want the jump rings. I decided, I didn't want any behind my neck since they wouldn't be seen most of the time. If you don't care, you can put them wherever you want. I marked on the chains the furthest back I was willing to put them.

Step 3: Add Jump Rings

Time to add the jump rings.

Disconnect the chain where you want the jump ring and carefully add in the jump ring. Don't scratch it. Continue to add the rings. I put them in randomly.

Step 4: Continue Adding Ringss

Time to add more jump rings.

After doing this a few times now, I find it is best if you add the rings starting from the end of the chain and ending in the middle of the chain. This will give you the best results on where they will end up as with each jump ring you add, the necklace gets longer. I also found it helped to attach the chain to the previous ones so you can make sure you know where the jump rings will land.

Keep going with each chain until you have all the strands done.

Step 5: Add End Bars

Now you can add the end bars.

Since my chain had detached loops, I connected them directly to the bar. You can also use jump rings, but be aware, this adds more length. Not a lot, but it still adds some.

Make sure you connect them in the right order and also make sure the chains aren't twisted when you attach both ends.