Home Get Inspired Pendants Cut-Out Corvette Pendant — 14k Gold Retirement Gift

Cut-Out Corvette Pendant — 14k Gold Retirement Gift

14k yellow gold

A client came to us wanting a pendant of a specific convertible sports car for a friend's retirement gift, working from two reference photos of the car. The design changed from a solid rectangular background to a fully cut-out silhouette after a mid-process clarification, so the final piece is shaped entirely like the car itself. It shipped in 14k yellow gold, sized for everyday wear.

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Achievement Daily wear Gift for friend

Quick specs

Design type

Pendants

Primary Metal

Yellow gold 14k

Primary Stone

No stone

Accent Stones

None

Style

3D Cut out

Design Complexity

Complex

Intent

A Gift That Says Everything

Intent: Certainty

High

Size

Pendant approximately 1in (25mm) at widest point.

How they made it distinctive

01
Cut-out silhouette design + shaped entirely like the reference car rather than set on a background plate, at the client's request mid-process
02
1 inch scale + chosen specifically to read clearly as a recognizable vehicle while staying comfortable for everyday wear
03
Solid 14k yellow gold construction + no plating to wear off over time
04
Metal stamp placed inside the bail + keeps the karat mark from interrupting the cut-out silhouette

How you'd make it yours

Metal: this piece is 14k yellow gold; the same cut-out design works in 10k, 18k gold, or sterling silver

Background: this piece is a fully cut-out silhouette; a new commission could use a solid background plate instead

Size: this piece is sized at 1 inch; a new piece can be scaled larger or smaller for its own wearer

Surface detail: additional engraved interior lines or small accent stones could be added to a new commission

One of a kind: this exact pendant was modeled from one client's reference photos and is not reproduced — a new commission is an original piece inspired by this one, not a copy

Design changes made

The piece moved from a solid rectangular background to a fully cut-out car silhouette after the client clarified she wanted the pendant shaped like the car itself, not set into a background plate. This also reduced the amount of metal used, which lowered the final cost.

Who this is for

This piece is for someone who wants to give a gift tied to a specific object that matters to the recipient — a car they love, a milestone they're marking — rendered as something wearable rather than generic. It's especially right for a retirement, achievement, or hobby-driven gift where the subject itself carries the meaning.

How it's made

Once the cut-out design was approved, the piece was 3D printed as a resin model — the first physical version of the pendant, shared with the client as a preview before casting. The resin was then set in investment plaster and fired in a kiln to burn out the material, leaving a hollow mold in the shape of the car. Molten 14k yellow gold was cast into that mold, producing the raw pendant. After casting, the piece was cleaned and finished to a high polish across the entire cut-out surface, since the design has a single continuous finish zone with no matte or contrasting areas. The bail was finished to comfortably fit a substantial chain, and the metal stamp confirming the gold karat was applied inside the bail where it would not disrupt the exterior silhouette.

Key note

The metal karat stamp is placed inside the bail rather than on the car body itself, so the cut-out silhouette stays uninterrupted by any stamped marks.

Pricing guidance

A cut-out sculptural pendant like this sits toward the lower-middle range for custom pendant work, since there is no stone setting involved and the cost is driven almost entirely by the 3D modeling and casting labor required to render a recognizable vehicle in profile. Removing a solid background plate, as happened here, reduces the metal weight and brings the price down further. Metal karat is the main remaining lever on cost.

Moves price up ↑

↑
Adding a solid background plate behind the cut-out silhouette, which increases metal weight
↑
Upgrading from 10k or 14k to 18k gold
↑
Adding fine engraved detail inside the car body (interior, dashboard lines)
↑
Increasing the pendant size beyond roughly 1.25 inches
↑
Adding gemstone headlights or other small accent stones

Moves price down ↓

↓
Choosing 10k gold instead of 14k
↓
Reducing the pendant size below 1 inch
↓
Simplifying the level of surface detail on the car body
↓
Choosing gold-plated silver instead of solid gold
↓
Keeping the design as a flat cut-out rather than a fully dimensional 3D form

Questions people ask

Can you make a pendant shaped like a specific car?

Yes. A pendant like this is designed from reference photos of the actual vehicle, then modeled as a 3D cut-out silhouette rather than a flat engraving. The design process includes a sketch and a photorealistic render for approval before anything is cast, so you can confirm the shape and proportions match the car you have in mind. Fine details like door lines, headlights, and wheel spokes can all be captured in the casting.

What's the difference between a solid-background pendant and a cut-out pendant?

A solid-background pendant sets the design onto a flat plate of metal, similar to a coin or medallion, which uses more material and typically costs more. A cut-out pendant removes that background entirely so the pendant is shaped exactly like the subject itself — in this case, the outline of the car. Cut-out designs use less metal, which generally lowers the cost, but they also expose more edges and fine detail to daily wear.

How much does a custom car pendant cost?

A cut-out sculptural pendant without any stones typically falls in the lower-middle range for custom pendant work, since the cost is driven mainly by the 3D modeling and casting labor rather than material. Removing a solid background plate lowers the metal weight and reduces cost further. Gold karat (10k, 14k, 18k) is usually the biggest remaining factor in the final price.

How can I tell if a gold pendant is real 14k gold?

Reputable custom jewelry makers stamp the karat mark somewhere on the piece, often in a spot that won't disrupt the design's visible silhouette — for a cut-out pendant like this, that's typically inside the bail where the chain passes through. If you can't find a stamp on the main body of a sculptural piece, check the bail or the back of a flat area before assuming it's unmarked. A jeweler can also test the metal if you want independent verification.

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

A custom sculptural pendant typically takes about one week for the design phase — sketch, 3D model, and render approval — followed by roughly three to four weeks for production once the design is approved. Production includes 3D printing a resin model, investment casting in the chosen metal, then cleaning, polishing, and finishing. Total turnaround from deposit to shipping is usually five to six weeks on a standard timeline.

Can a cut-out gold pendant be resized after it's made?

A solid cast cut-out pendant like this is made at a fixed size and generally isn't something you would resize the way you would a ring band. If you want a different size, it's best to specify that during the design and render approval stage before casting, since changing the scale afterward would typically mean recasting the piece. Minor adjustments to bail width for a different chain, however, can often be made after the fact.

Does a high-polish gold finish show scratches easily?

A high-polish finish on 14k gold will show fine surface scratches over time with regular wear, since any polished metal reflects light and makes small marks more visible than a matte finish would. This is a normal part of daily wear and doesn't affect the structural integrity of the piece. A jeweler can re-polish a piece like this periodically to restore the original shine.

Can you do a car pendant in white gold or silver instead of yellow gold?

Yes, a cut-out car pendant can be cast in white gold, rose gold, or sterling silver using the same 3D model, since the design itself isn't tied to a specific metal color. The main considerations are cost, since gold karat affects price more than color does, and finish, since white metals typically get a rhodium plating that yellow gold doesn't need. The choice comes down to personal preference and who the piece is for.