Compass Coin Keepsake — Reunited Love, 10k Gold
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10k yellow gold
A client came to us wanting a compass-style coin for someone she reconnected with after 38 years apart. The design holds two dates meaningful only to the two of them, worked into the compass numerals rather than engraved as an obvious inscription, and set permanently to true north rather than a functioning dial. When it arrived she wrote: 'The piece is beautiful and he loved it.'
'It's perfect thank you so much!' — on seeing the finished photos before shipping
'The piece is beautiful and he loved it.' — on delivery
Quick specs
Design type
Primary Metal
Primary Stone
Accent Stones
Design Complexity
Intent: Certainty
Size
Coin diameter approximately 25mm (1 inch).
How they made it distinctive
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01
Fixed at true north rather than a functioning dial, chosen specifically because the piece is meant to be carried, not worn
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02
Two personal dates worked directly into the compass's degree scale instead of being engraved as separate text
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03
Sandblasted background intentionally requested to give the piece a worn, well-carried look rather than a bright new finish
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04
Sized to approximately 25mm, deliberately sized like a coin so it could be carried daily in a pocket rather than worn on a chain
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05
Made in 10k gold specifically for its added hardness and durability for daily handling
How you'd make it yours
Metal: this piece is 10k yellow gold; a new commission could use 14k or 18k gold, or gold-plated silver for a lower-cost version
Finish: this piece uses a sandblasted background with polished raised elements; a new piece could use a fully polished or fully matte finish
Personal details: the hidden numerals on this piece can become initials, coordinates, or a short phrase on a new piece
Size: this coin is approximately 25mm; a new commission could be made smaller or larger depending on preference
One of a kind: this exact coin was designed for one client's reunion story and is not reproduced — a new commission is an original piece inspired by this one, not a copy
Design changes made
The two personal dates were initially placed as standalone numbers flanking the compass needle, but were moved into the outer ring of degree markings instead — replacing a couple of the standard numbers so they read as part of the compass face rather than as a separate inscription.
Who this is for
This piece is for someone who wants to give something meaningful that doesn't look overtly sentimental at first glance — a design that reads as a simple compass to anyone else, but carries something personal to the two people who know what to look for. It's especially right for someone whose recipient doesn't wear jewelry but would still carry something small and significant every day.
How it's made
Once the final design was approved, the piece was 3D printed in wax and attached to a wax tree inside a flask. The flask was placed in a kiln to burn out the wax, leaving a hollow mold, and molten 10k yellow gold was poured into the cavity under pressure. After cooling, the coin was broken out of the mold and prepared for the finishing stages.
The raised compass rose, needle, and numerals were polished to a bright finish to stand out, while the surrounding background was sandblasted to a matte texture — creating contrast between the two surfaces and giving the piece the slightly worn, well-carried look the client asked for. No stones were set on this piece; the finishing work is entirely in the contrast between polished and matte gold.
Key note
The two personal dates are not engraved as separate text — they replace specific numbers within the compass's own degree scale, so they read as part of the instrument rather than as an inscription.
Pricing guidance
A solid gold coin-style piece with raised dimensional detail and no stones sits in the mid range for custom work of this complexity — most of the cost comes from the metal weight and the labor to model and finish a dimensional compass face rather than a flat engraved surface. Choice of karat and metal type is the single biggest lever on price for a piece like this.
Moves price up ↑
- ↑ Upgrading from 10k to 14k or 18k gold increases material cost significantly at this weight
- ↑ Adding gemstones or accent stones to the compass face
- ↑ Engraving or dimensional detail on the reverse side as well as the front
- ↑ Increasing the coin diameter beyond about 1 inch, which adds metal weight
Moves price down ↓
- ↓ Choosing gold-plated sterling silver instead of solid gold
- ↓ Reducing the coin to a smaller diameter
- ↓ Simplifying the compass detail to a flatter, less dimensional design
- ↓ Leaving the reverse side plain rather than detailed
Questions people ask
Yes, a flat coin-style piece that is carried rather than worn is a common request and is produced the same way as a pendant — through 3D modeling, wax printing, and casting. Instead of adding a bail for a chain, the design is left as a standalone disc, often sized to sit comfortably in a pocket. This compass coin was made at roughly 25mm, about the size of a half dollar, specifically so it could be carried daily without a chain.
10k gold is actually the hardest of the common gold karats used in fine jewelry because it has the highest percentage of alloy metals mixed in with the pure gold. It holds up very well to daily handling and pocket carry, though it has a slightly less rich color than 14k or 18k. For a piece that gets handled often, like a carried coin, the added durability of 10k is a practical advantage, not just a cost consideration.
A solid gold coin with raised dimensional detail and no stones sits in the mid range for custom work of this complexity. The main cost driver is the metal weight combined with the labor to model a dimensional compass face rather than a simple flat engraving. Choosing a lower karat gold or a gold-plated option can bring the cost down significantly while keeping the same design.
Yes, this is a common technique — meaningful numbers can be worked into an existing pattern, like a compass's degree scale, rather than engraved as a separate line of text. On this piece, two dates replaced a couple of the standard numbers around the compass's outer ring, so they read as part of the instrument to anyone who doesn't already know their significance. This approach works well for anyone who wants personal meaning in a design without it being immediately obvious to others.
The full process typically runs about five to six weeks from design approval to delivery, though rush timelines can be arranged when needed. The first week or so covers the 3D design and render, with revisions based on feedback. Once the design is approved, casting and finishing typically take four to five weeks, though this can be compressed for clients with a firm deadline.
Sandblasting creates a matte, slightly textured surface rather than a bright polish, and is often used on the background of a dimensional design to make the raised, polished elements stand out more clearly. It also gives a piece a worn, well-handled look rather than a brand-new shine, which some clients prefer for a design meant to be carried or touched often. The contrast between a sandblasted background and polished raised detail is a common finishing choice on coin-style and medallion pieces.
Both options are possible. A compass-style design can be cast as a fixed, non-functioning piece with the needle permanently set at true north, which is simpler to produce and more durable since there are no moving parts. A functioning dial with a moving needle is also possible but adds mechanical complexity and cost. Most clients who want a compass as a symbolic or sentimental design choose the fixed version.
This specific coin was designed to be carried rather than worn, since the intended recipient does not wear pendants. It has no bail or loop for a chain, and its size, about an inch across, makes it comfortable to carry in a pocket. The same compass design could be adapted with a bail for a necklace if a client preferred to wear it instead.
