Home Get Inspired Pendants Brazil Map Pendant with Sapphire Accent in Gold

A 14k yellow gold pendant in the outline of Brazil, with a small round blue sapphire bezel-set near the eastern coastal region, hanging from a twisted gold chain.

Brazil Map Pendant with Sapphire Accent in Gold

14k yellow gold, blue sapphire

A client wanted a pendant that traced the shape of Brazil, with a small sapphire marking the state of Alagoas specifically — a detail chosen to point to one meaningful place on the map rather than the country as a whole. She approved the first render without changes, and once it arrived she gifted it right away: 'I loved it and have already gifted it and they love it too!'

'It's great, just how I wanted! I love it.' — on seeing the first render

'I loved it and have already gifted it and they love it too!' — on delivery

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Daily wear Just because A Gift That Says Everything Just because

Quick specs

Design type

Pendants

Primary Metal

Yellow gold 14k

Shape / Cut

Round

Primary Stone

Sapphire

Accent Stones

None

Style

Cultural heritage Cut out Map Minimal

Design Complexity

Simple

Intent

A Gift That Says Everything Just because

Intent: Certainty

Medium

Size

Pendant approximately 0.75in; chain 18in 14k yellow gold twist chain.

How they made it distinctive

01
Outline traces the exact silhouette of Brazil rather than a generic map or globe shape
02
Single sapphire placed at the specific location of Alagoas, not centered decoratively
03
Kept to a compact .75-inch scale so the map shape reads clearly without becoming oversized
04
Open wire-like construction keeps the piece light despite the detailed outline
05
Twist-chain pairing chosen specifically to complement the pendant's delicate scale

How you'd make it yours

Stone: this piece uses one blue sapphire at a single location; a new commission could use a different gem or multiple stones at different points

Metal: this piece is 14k yellow gold; the same outline style works in white or rose gold

Size: made at .75 inches for this client; a new piece can be scaled larger or smaller

Region: this piece traces Brazil; a new commission could trace any country, state, or region meaningful to the wearer

Chain: this piece pairs with an 18-inch twist chain; a new piece could use a cable, curb, or figaro chain instead

One of a kind: this exact pendant was designed for one client and is not reproduced — a new commission is an original piece inspired by this one, not a copy

Design changes made

Design matched the initial brief without major changes.

Who this is for

This piece is for someone who wants to carry a specific place with them — not jewelry that just looks nice, but a shape that means something personal. It's especially right for anyone with ties to a particular country, state, or region who wants that connection marked in something simple enough to wear every day, as a gift for someone else or for themselves.

How it's made

Once the design was approved, the pendant was 3D printed in wax, then attached to a wax tree and set in a flask. The flask went into a kiln to burn out the wax, leaving a hollow mold in the exact shape of the Brazil outline. Molten 14k yellow gold was then cast into that mold under pressure and allowed to cool before the raw piece was removed for finishing. After casting, the open outline was cleaned up by hand to keep the wire-like silhouette crisp and even throughout its curves, since any unevenness is highly visible on a thin open map shape. The piece was then polished to a consistent shine across the entire outline. The sapphire was set last, using a small bezel to hold the stone securely flush against the gold at the precise point marking Alagoas.

Key note

The outline shape is cast as one continuous thin wire-like form rather than a solid plate, which is why the hand-finishing step focuses on evening out the curves rather than polishing a flat surface.

Pricing guidance

A cut-out map pendant in 14k gold with a single small accent stone sits toward the lower end of custom pendant work. Most of the cost comes from the gold weight and the precision hand-finishing needed to keep a thin open outline clean and even, rather than from the stone itself, which is small. Chain choice and metal karat are the main variables that shift the price from there.

Moves price up ↑

↑
Upgrading from 14k to 18k gold increases material cost for the same outline
↑
Choosing a larger pendant size, which requires more gold and more finishing time on the outline
↑
Adding multiple accent stones at different locations on the map rather than one
↑
Selecting a heavier or more elaborate chain style (e.g. thicker cable or curb chain)

Moves price down ↓

↓
Reducing the pendant size below .75 inches, which uses less gold
↓
Choosing a lower-karat or plated metal instead of solid 14k gold
↓
Omitting the chain and using an existing one the client already owns
↓
Leaving the pendant stone-free for a plain outline design

Questions people ask

Can you make a pendant shaped like a specific country or state?

Yes, a cut-out outline pendant can be made from the silhouette of any country, state, or region using a reference map or photo as a guide. The outline is modeled in 3D first so the proportions can be checked and approved before anything is cast in metal. A single stone or multiple stones can be placed at specific points within the outline to mark particular cities or regions. This approach works well for home countries, hometowns, or any place with personal significance.

How durable is a thin open outline pendant like this?

An open map-outline pendant is made from a continuous wire-like band of gold rather than a solid plate, so it is lighter than a solid pendant but still durable for everyday wear when cast in 14k gold. The main risk with any open-wire design is bending from snagging or rough handling, since there's no solid backing to resist pressure. 14k gold is a good balance of strength and workability for this kind of design. Avoiding sharp impacts and removing it before contact sports or heavy manual work will keep the outline from deforming over time.

What's the difference between a natural and lab sapphire for a small accent stone like this?

Natural and lab-created sapphires are chemically identical, with the same hardness (9 on the Mohs scale) and the same visual appearance to the naked eye. The difference is origin — natural sapphires are mined, lab sapphires are grown in a controlled setting — and lab sapphires are typically more affordable at the same size and color grade. For a small accent stone like the one used here, either option looks the same once set. The choice mostly comes down to preference and budget rather than appearance or durability.

What does a custom map outline pendant like this typically cost?

A simple cut-out map pendant in gold with one small accent stone sits toward the lower end of custom pendant pricing. The cost is driven mainly by the gold weight and the hand-finishing needed to keep a thin outline clean, rather than by the stone, which is small and inexpensive to set. Chain choice is often a separate line item and can move the total up or down depending on the style and length chosen.

How long does it take to make a custom pendant like this?

The full process typically takes about five to six weeks from approved design to delivery. The first week covers the 3D design and render, which the client reviews and approves before anything is cast. Production, including casting, finishing, and stone setting, generally takes four to five additional weeks. A tracking number is sent as soon as the finished piece ships.

Can the pendant be resized if .75 inches feels too small or too large?

Yes, an outline pendant like this can be scaled up or down during the design phase before casting, since the shape is built from a 3D model first. Because the design is a flat cut-out silhouette, enlarging or shrinking it proportionally does not distort the shape the way resizing a ring would. Once cast, however, significant size changes would require remaking the piece rather than adjusting the existing one. It's best to confirm the exact scale during the render approval stage.

Can I add more than one stone to mark different locations on the map?

Yes, additional small stones can be bezel-set at other points within the outline to mark more than one meaningful location, such as a hometown plus a second city or region. Each added stone increases the cost slightly due to extra setting work and stone sourcing. This is a common way to personalize a map pendant for someone with ties to more than one place within the same outline. The exact placement is confirmed during the 3D design stage before casting.

Do I need to provide my own chain or does one come with the pendant?

A chain is not automatically included — it's offered as a separate option alongside the pendant itself. Clients can choose a chain style and length that complements the pendant's scale, or use their own existing chain if the bail opening fits it. For a .75 inch pendant, lighter chain styles like a twist or cable link in the same metal typically look best without overwhelming the piece.