Home Get Inspired Pendants Curved Sideways Cross Pendant with Name Engraving

A curved, sideways 14k white gold cross pendant with rounded ends, engraved with a name in script font at the center, and a small round emerald in a bezel setting dangling from the short end, on a cable chain.

Curved Sideways Cross Pendant with Name Engraving

$$$

14k white gold, natural emerald

A client wanted a sideways cross pendant personalized with her own name and a small emerald as a meaningful everyday piece for herself. She worked through several rounds of placement adjustments for the emerald and the engraving until every detail matched what she pictured. When it arrived, she wrote: 'Love it!!! You nailed it! Thank you!'

'Love it!!! You nailed it! Thank you!' — on delivery

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Daily wear For herself Make Your Mark Identity expression, Personal symbol / signet

Quick specs

Design type

Pendants

Primary Metal

White gold 14k

Shape / Cut

Round

Primary Stone

Emerald

Accent Stones

None

Style

Cross Dangling Engraved Letter initial Minimal Religios Word text

Design Complexity

Moderate

Intent

Make Your Mark Identity expression, Personal symbol / signet

Intent: Certainty

High

Size

Necklace total length 16in including pendant. Cross approximately 2in long, 0.25in wide. Chain width 1.5mm.

How they made it distinctive

01
Sideways orientation with a deliberate upward curve built into the cast, not bent afterward
02
Emerald placed at the very tip of the short end after two rounds of placement adjustment
03
Cross ends rounded after the first render for a softer, less angular profile
04
Name engraved in a script font chosen specifically to complement the curved silhouette
05
Chain length tuned to 16 inches for a semi-loose choker fit rather than a standard drop

How you'd make it yours

Stone: this piece uses a bezel-set emerald; a new commission could use a diamond, sapphire, or ruby in the same setting style

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

Cross shape: this piece is curved; a new commission could use a straight bar instead

Engraving: the horizontal bar can carry a different name, word, or short phrase in script or block font

Chain: this piece uses a 16-inch cable chain; a new piece could use a shorter or longer length, or a different 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 emerald placement was adjusted twice — first centered near the short end, then moved to sit at the very tip of the cross — and the four cross ends were rounded after the client saw the first render, softening the overall look.

Who this is for

This piece is for someone who wants a faith-inspired pendant that also feels personal to them specifically, not just symbolic. It's especially right if you want a piece you can wear daily without it feeling delicate, and you like the idea of a small detail — a name, a stone placement — that only makes sense to you.

How it's made

Once the design was approved, a wax model of the pendant was produced using a 3D printer 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 14k white gold was poured into the mold to cast the raw pendant. After cooling, the piece was removed from the mold for cleaning and finishing. The cast cross was polished to a bright, even finish along its curved surface, and the four ends were smoothed to the rounded profile the client requested after reviewing the render. The name was engraved in a script font centered across the horizontal bar, and a ready-made bezel holding a small round emerald was attached at the short end of the cross before final polishing.

Key note

The cross was cast with a slight upward curve built into the wax model itself, rather than bent into a flat blank afterward, so the curve reads as a continuous line rather than a bend point.

Pricing guidance

A sideways cross pendant with a name engraving and a small bezel-set gemstone sits toward the lower end of the mid range for custom pendants. Most of the cost comes from the 14k white gold content and the ready-made bezel setting; engraving adds modest labor but not significant cost. Chain length and width have a smaller effect on the overall price.

Moves price up ↑

↑
Upgrading from a ready-made bezel to a custom-fitted bezel sized exactly to a specific stone
↑
Increasing the emerald size beyond 3mm
↑
Adding stones along the cross itself rather than a single dangling stone
↑
Switching from 14k to 18k white gold
↑
Adding engraving on both the front and back of the cross

Moves price down ↓

↓
Using sterling silver instead of 14k white gold
↓
Choosing a smaller or lab-created colored stone alternative
↓
Simplifying to a straight (non-curved) cross shape
↓
Shortening the chain length
↓
Omitting the dangling stone and keeping only the engraving

Questions people ask

Can you engrave a name directly onto a cross pendant?

Yes, a name or word can be engraved directly onto the horizontal or vertical bar of a cross pendant. Script fonts are a popular choice because the flowing letterforms complement the curved shape of a sideways cross without competing with it visually. The engraving is done after casting and polishing, and is centered based on the available bar length. Most cross pendants can accommodate a short name or word of up to about six to eight characters comfortably.

Is 14k white gold or sterling silver better for a pendant like this?

14k white gold is more durable, keeps its bright white color permanently, and holds up better to daily wear than sterling silver, which can tarnish over time. Sterling silver is a lower-cost alternative that achieves a similar look but requires more maintenance to stay bright. For a piece worn daily, like a personalized cross pendant, 14k white gold is generally the more durable long-term choice. Both metals can accommodate the same bezel-set stone and engraving details.

How durable is an emerald in a pendant that's worn every day?

Emerald ranks about 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, which makes it reasonably durable for daily wear but more prone to chipping than a diamond or sapphire due to natural inclusions common in the stone. A bezel setting, which surrounds the stone's edge in metal rather than holding it with prongs, offers better protection against knocks for a pendant that moves around during the day. Emeralds should be cleaned gently and kept away from harsh chemicals or ultrasonic cleaners, which can worsen existing inclusions. With reasonable care, a bezel-set emerald pendant holds up well over years of regular wear.

What does a custom pendant like this typically cost?

A personalized sideways cross pendant with a name engraving and a small bezel-set gemstone in 14k white gold sits toward the lower end of the mid-range for custom pendant work. The main cost drivers are the gold content, the bezel setting, and the chain, while the engraving itself adds relatively little to the total. Choosing a lab-created stone or a shorter chain can bring the cost down, while upgrading the gold karat or stone size moves it up. Pricing for pieces like this is generally more accessible than multi-stone or heavily set pendant designs.

How long does it take to make a custom pendant from start to finish?

The design phase for a custom pendant typically takes about a week, during which a 3D render is created and refined based on feedback. Once the design is approved, production takes roughly three to four weeks, covering wax modeling, casting, stone setting, and finishing. In total, most custom pendants like this are completed within four to five weeks from deposit to shipping. Timelines can extend slightly if multiple rounds of design revisions are needed before approval.

Can the cross shape be made straight instead of curved?

Yes, a sideways cross pendant can be made as a straight bar instead of curved. The curve is a design choice that gives the piece a softer, more graceful line, but a straight version achieves the same personalized look with a slightly more geometric feel. The engraving and dangling stone placement work the same way on either version. The choice mostly comes down to personal aesthetic preference.

Can the emerald be replaced with a different stone or a diamond?

Yes, the small dangling stone on a pendant like this can be swapped for a different colored gemstone or a diamond depending on preference and budget. A diamond would read as more neutral and versatile, while a colored stone like emerald, sapphire, or ruby adds a personal touch, often tied to a birthstone or favorite color. The bezel setting style works well with most round stones in a similar small size range. Lab-created versions of any of these stones are also an option for a similar look at a different price point.

Does the chain length include the pendant or is it measured separately?

When a jeweler quotes a necklace length, such as 16 or 18 inches, that measurement typically refers to the total length of the finished necklace including the pendant, from clasp to clasp. It's worth confirming this explicitly when ordering, since preferences vary on how snug or loose a pendant necklace should sit against the neck. A semi-loose, choker-style fit is generally a shorter overall length, while a pendant meant to rest lower on the chest needs a longer total length. Trying a length of string or ribbon at the desired length before finalizing is a simple way to confirm comfort.