How to make paper diamonds: easy paper ornaments

In this post, I will show you step-by-step how to make paper diamonds – the easy way! I also call them party diamonds because they are whimsical and fun, and perfect for any celebration. 

These paper diamonds make beautiful ornaments that you can hang alone or group together to make a darling hanging mobile.  These paper diamonds whip up quick and easy with a few folding techniques I’m excited to share with you.

Are these Origami diamonds?

No. These paper gems are heavily inspired by traditional Origami Diamonds – but technically speaking, these paper diamonds are not Origami. Origami does not use glue or scissors, and these paper diamonds do.

With that FYI out of the way, let’s get started.

You will need:

• 2 sheets of square paper. In this tutorial I’m using 7×7 inch paper, which is a free printable that you can download and use today. You can adjust the size of the paper depending on how large or small you want to make these paper diamonds.
• Aleene’s Tacky Glue, or regular white glue.
• Ribbon or string.
• Wood beads.
• Darning needle.
• Creasing tool (optional) – bone folder, Cricut scraper, or any plastic like an old credit card.

How to make paper diamonds step-by-step

note: click the images to see a full size of the tutorial pictures.

Step 1:

With the pattern side down, fold the paper in half.  Unfold and fold the opposite way.

Take your time to align the edges because the more accurate these first few folds are, the better your diamonds will come together at the end.  Don’t worry too much if you need to redo a crease, you can unfold and redo – but try to avoid doing that too many times because it eventually breaks down and weakens the paper.

Once you have the edges aligned, pinch the center of the crease, and double check the alignment. If everything looks good, press the rest of the way, and finish with the crease tool

Step 2:

With the pattern side up, turn the paper diagonally and fold. And repeat on the other side.

Step 3:

See this square in the bottom right-hand corner? 

Lightly pinch the crease on the top, and the side crease – and this will collapse the paper into a square.

Align the edges and press.

Step 4:

Turn the paper diagonal, so that the crease line runs from top to bottom.

Take the right flap and bring to the center of the paper.  Place your finger inside the flap and tap the crease – this will relax the paper because you never want to force it – let it soften and relax before you press.

What is important here is that you align this top crease with the inside line.  Press lightly, making sure the edges line up.

Flip the paper, and repeat on the other side.

Step 5:

Now we’ll finish the rest of the flaps.  Take the right-hand side of the center triangle, and fold over to meet the left, make sure the edges line up.  Fold over the next right flap and repeat.

You will have a triangle with these flaps at the bottom.

Snip the flaps off because you won’t need them.

Step 6:

Turn the paper so the top of the triangle is facing away from you, and the crease line runs top to bottom.

Take the right-hand corner of the triangle and fold along the crease line so the tip is facing the top of the triangle – then repeat with the left-side corner.

Turn over and repeat.

Step 7:

See the triangle in the center, with the folded flaps?

Take the right flap and fold it over to line up with the left side. Take the next right-hand flap and flip over until you have a full triangle. Repeat Step 6.

Flip the paper over and repeat on the other side.

You will end up with this folded kite shape.

Step 8:

Undo those last corner folds and open up the paper – you need to unfold to avoid ripping the paper.

At the bottom of each peak, there will be a triangle fold. Press your finger on the bottom of the triangle and the paper should fold in and press. Do this for each peak.

Repeat Step 1-7 to make the second half of the paper diamond.

Step 9:

Before gluing, do a quick practice round and put your two diamond halves together. Rotate around until the paper relaxes, and you are sure the two pieces fit together nicely.

I like to do this before gluing because it relaxes and shapes the paper and makes the gluing together easier.

Step 10:

Choose which half of the diamond will be at the top.

Thread the ribbon or string by creating a loop on the bottom and tying a knot. Thread the ribbon or string through from the inside of the paper diamond half and out the top. Add a dab of glue to the knot, to secure.

Step 11:

Add a smidge of glue to the inside peaks of each diamond half and put the two paper diamond halves together. I will rotate and hold a few times until I know the edges align, and the glue sets up.

Step 12 (optional):

Add beads to the string – as many as you like. Lift the top bead, and add a dab of glue to the ribbon, and slide the bead down. This secures the bead so it won’t slide off.

Twirl your paper diamond and enjoy!

The paper in this tutorial is a free printable. you can download and use today.  You can use any paper you wish for these diamonds, but free printables are an affordable way to make these party diamond ornaments, and have a unique print at the same time.