Home Get Inspired Pendants Cosmic Rocket Pendant — Black Rhodium Silver Space Design

A round sterling silver pendant on a rope chain with a matte black rhodium background and raised high-polish silver details depicting a rocket ship, two ringed planets, stars, and a radiating sunburst compass design.

Cosmic Rocket Pendant — Black Rhodium Silver Space Design

Sterling silver, black rhodium plating

A client came to us wanting a large cosmic-themed pendant built from his own reference photo and description — a rocket ship at the center of a starburst, surrounded by planets and stars, with a worn, matte, almost excavated look rather than a shiny finish. He described wanting it to look like a relic pulled from a distant, dusty world, which led to the matte black rhodium background with high-polish raised details. When it arrived, he wrote that everyone around him was jealous of it.

'Looks good. Move forward.' — on design approval

'It looks great. Everyone in my cult is jealous.' — on delivery

Start your project

For himself Make Your Mark Identity expression

Quick specs

Design type

Pendants

Primary Metal

Sterling silver

Primary Stone

No stone

Accent Stones

None

Style

3D Black Rhodium Celestial starburst Matte finish Rocket ship Sacred geometry Star

Design Complexity

Complex

Intent

Make Your Mark Identity expression

Intent: Certainty

Medium

Size

Pendant approximately 76mm (3in) diameter. Chain: 5.5mm rope chain, 24in.

How they made it distinctive

01
Matte black rhodium background paired with high-polish raised silver details creates strong contrast between the cosmic scene and its backdrop
02
Design built directly from the client's own reference photo and description, including a rocket ship, starburst, and orbiting planets
03
Large 3-inch diameter gives the piece a substantial, statement presence rather than a delicate everyday look
04
Finish chosen specifically to avoid a shiny look — the client wanted something that read as weathered and relic-like rather than polished new

How you'd make it yours

Finish: this piece uses matte black rhodium with high-polish raised details; a new commission could use an all-matte or all-polish approach instead

Metal: this piece is sterling silver with black rhodium plating; the same design language works in gold-plated silver or solid gold

Size: this piece is made at 3 inches; a new commission is sized to the new wearer's preference

Motif: this piece uses a rocket ship and starburst; a new commission could rebuild the scene around different symbols or arrangements

Chain: this piece pairs with a rope chain; a new commission could pair with a curb, figaro, or other chain style

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

The client initially wasn't sure about finish and metal options, so the rep walked him through several matte, polish, and black rhodium combinations. He chose a matte black rhodium background with high-polish raised silver details instead of a fully shiny piece.

Who this is for

This piece is for someone drawn to space, astronomy, or cosmic imagery who wants that interest expressed as a bold, wearable statement rather than a small charm. It's especially right if you want a distinctive matte-and-polish finish instead of traditional high-shine jewelry, and you're comfortable wearing a large, conversation-starting pendant.

How it's made

Once the design was approved, the team built a 3D digital model to work out the layout and weight of the piece, which was then printed as a resin model on a 3D printer. That resin was used to create an investment mold, and molten sterling silver was cast into the hollow left behind after the wax/resin was burned out in a kiln. Once cooled, the raw casting was removed from the mold for cleanup and finishing. After casting, the pendant's background areas were matte-finished to create a flat, non-reflective surface, while the raised rocket ship, starburst, planets, and stars were left high-polish for contrast. Black rhodium plating was then applied over the matte background last, since plating goes on only after all mechanical polishing is complete. The bail was finished to match the high-polish raised details before the piece was strung on its chain.

Key note

The black rhodium plating is applied only to the recessed matte background, not the raised design elements, which is why the polished rocket ship and stars stay bright silver against the dark backdrop.

Pricing guidance

A large sculptural sterling silver pendant with black rhodium plating and raised dimensional detail sits toward the higher end for pendant-category custom work, largely because of the size and the amount of hand-finishing required to create clean contrast between matte and polished surfaces. Metal choice and overall diameter are the biggest levers on cost for a piece like this.

Moves price up ↑

↑
Increasing the pendant diameter beyond 3 inches, which requires more metal and more finishing time
↑
Upgrading from sterling silver to solid 14k or 18k gold
↑
Adding gemstone accents into the starburst or planet details
↑
Using a two-sided design with raised detail on both the front and back

Moves price down ↓

↓
Reducing the pendant diameter to 1.5–2 inches
↓
Simplifying the design to fewer raised elements
↓
Choosing gold-plated silver instead of solid gold for a similar look at lower cost
↓
Skipping the black rhodium plating for an all-polish or all-matte finish

Questions people ask

Is this pendant solid silver or plated?

This pendant is cast in solid sterling silver, and the dark background you see is a black rhodium plating applied over that silver base. The raised design elements are left in their natural high-polish silver finish rather than plated. Rhodium plating is a surface treatment, not a different base metal, so the underlying structure is solid sterling silver throughout. Over time and with regular wear, plating can gradually wear on high-contact areas, though a large flat pendant like this sees less direct contact than a ring.

Will the black rhodium finish wear off over time?

Black rhodium is a durable plating, but like all plating it is a surface layer rather than a permanent color change to the metal. With normal wear as a pendant, which has less friction than a ring or bracelet, it typically holds up well for a few years before any fading becomes noticeable, especially in recessed matte areas rather than raised high-touch points. If it does begin to fade, re-plating is a standard jewelry service. Keeping the piece away from harsh chemicals and excessive handling will extend how long the finish stays sharp.

How big is a 3-inch pendant, and is it too large to wear daily?

A 3-inch pendant is a substantial, statement-sized piece rather than a subtle accessory — it sits well below the collarbone and is clearly visible from a distance. Some people wear pendants this size daily as a personal signature piece, while others reserve them for occasions when they want the design to be the focal point. The weight is manageable in sterling silver, though a heavier metal like solid gold at the same size would feel noticeably heavier. It's worth considering your personal style and how prominent you want the piece to be before choosing this scale.

Can this design be made in gold instead of silver?

Yes, a pendant like this can be cast in yellow, white, or rose gold instead of sterling silver, though the black rhodium finish behaves the same regardless of the base metal underneath it. Gold will significantly increase the cost due to material price, and at a 3-inch diameter that difference is more pronounced than it would be on a smaller piece. Some clients choose gold-plated silver as a middle option to get a warmer tone without the full cost of solid gold. The design details and finish process remain the same across metal choices.

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

The design phase for a piece like this typically takes about a week from deposit to the first render, though revisions can extend that slightly. Once the design is approved, production including 3D printing the resin model, casting, finishing, and plating generally takes three to four weeks. Sourcing a chain adds minimal time since standard chain styles are usually in stock. Altogether, most custom pendants of this scale and complexity are complete within four to five weeks of final design approval.

Can the raised details be made even more dimensional or 3D?

Yes, the level of dimensionality in raised details can be adjusted during the 3D design phase before casting — some clients want a flatter, more graphic look while others want deeper relief for stronger shadow and contrast. The current design uses moderate raised detail that reads clearly at a distance while still being comfortable and durable for daily wear. Deeper relief increases both the sculptural effect and the amount of metal used, which affects weight and cost. This is a decision best made while reviewing the 3D render, since it's easier to adjust digitally than after casting.

What kind of chain works best with a pendant this size?

A pendant of this scale generally pairs well with a chain in the 5mm to 6mm range so the proportions feel balanced rather than the chain looking flimsy under the pendant's weight. Rope, curb, and figaro chain styles are all common choices, and the decision usually comes down to personal texture and style preference rather than function. Chain length is also worth considering carefully, since a longer chain will let a large pendant like this sit lower on the chest. It's worth trying on a similar-sized pendant in person if possible to judge the proportion before finalizing length.

Can I add my own design elements to a space-themed pendant like this?

Yes, a space-themed design like this can be customized with different symbolic elements — different planets, additional constellations, a different central object, or a personalized arrangement of stars. The starburst and central-object layout used here is a flexible template that can be rebuilt around whatever specific imagery matters most to the wearer. Providing a reference image or detailed description during the design phase, as was done for this piece, helps the design team translate a personal vision into the 3D model accurately. Adjustments are easiest to make at the render stage before the piece goes into production.