How to make jewelry from a coconut shell

A simple, creative way to turn a coconut shell into jewelry that's actually wearable!

2401
STEPS
TOOLS

Take a piece of the shell that is bigger than the size you want your final product to be. I just happened to have had a coconut before and I saved the shell.

Take a piece of the shell that is bigger than the size you want your final product to be. I just happened to have had a coconut before and I saved the shell.

Using coarse sandpaper, sand until all of the "hair" is removed from the shell. When you're done, it should look like the shell on the right.

Using coarse sandpaper, sand until all of the "hair" is removed from the shell. When you're done, it should look like the shell on the right.

Do the same thing to the inside of the shell.

Do the same thing to the inside of the shell.

Take a medium - fine grit sandpaper and sand the front until it's smooth.

Take a medium - fine grit sandpaper and sand the front until it's smooth.

Take the finest grit sandpaper you have and go over the front until it looks polished. Don't worry about the light colored lines - they make the final pendant look interesting.

Take the finest grit sandpaper you have and go over the front until it looks polished. Don't worry about the light colored lines - they make the final pendant look interesting.

Draw or trace any shape you want onto the back of the shell. I wanted mine to be simple, so I just did a circle.

Draw or trace any shape you want onto the back of the shell. I wanted mine to be simple, so I just did a circle.

Now your goal is to get ride of anything outside of the outline by sanding it down. Last time I made this I did it totally by hand, and it took FOREVER.

Now your goal is to get ride of anything outside of the outline by sanding it down. Last time I made this I did it totally by hand, and it took FOREVER.

Once you finish shaping it, smooth the edges with the fine grit sandpaper. Drill a hole about three millimeters away from the edge. I used a 1.6 mm drill bit, but feel free to change the bit size.

Once you finish shaping it, smooth the edges with the fine grit sandpaper. Drill a hole about three millimeters away from the edge. I used a 1.6 mm drill bit, but feel free to change the bit size.

Melt a tablespoon or two of coconut oil in a small bowl.

Melt a tablespoon or two of coconut oil in a small bowl.

Drop your shell in the oil and let it soak for about 30 seconds. It doesn't really matter, you just want it to absorb some oil.

Drop your shell in the oil and let it soak for about 30 seconds. It doesn't really matter, you just want it to absorb some oil.

Take the shell out and wipe off the excess oil with a rag or a paper towel. The oil is to make the shell shinier and darker.

Take the shell out and wipe off the excess oil with a rag or a paper towel. The oil is to make the shell shinier and darker.

Now that you've made the pendant, you need to put it to use! Either look at the rest of the guide for a method of hanging it or do it your way.

Now that you've made the pendant, you need to put it to use! Either look at the rest of the guide for a method of hanging it or do it your way.

Gold wire, wire cutters, and cord.

Gold wire, wire cutters, and cord.

Cut a piece of wire and slide it into the hole.

Cut a piece of wire and slide it into the hole.

Loop it around twice, and twist/crimp the ends until you know it will stay put.

Loop it around twice, and twist/crimp the ends until you know it will stay put.

Cut the amount if cord you want. I used about three feet.

Cut the amount if cord you want. I used about three feet.

If your cord was crimped from how it was packaged, go over it once or twice with a flat iron.

If your cord was crimped from how it was packaged, go over it once or twice with a flat iron.

Thread the string through the wire and knot the cord where you want. It's finished!

Thread the string through the wire and knot the cord where you want. It's finished!

So far I've made two necklaces and a few beads.

So far I've made two necklaces and a few beads.

Thanks for watching! :) Have a great day!

  • Coconut Shell
  • Sandpaper
  • Sander
  • Coconut Oil
  • Gold Wire
  • Suede Cord