Home Get Inspired Pendants Cut-Out Kanji Pendant in 18K Gold Plated Silver

A gold-toned pendant cut in the shape of two stacked Japanese kanji characters with open negative space where the background was removed, hanging from a gold chain.

Cut-Out Kanji Pendant in 18K Gold Plated Silver

Gold-plated silver

A client brought in his own design — Japanese script he wanted turned into a pendant, with the background cut away so the piece was pure outline rather than a solid plate. When the first render came through he wrote back right away: 'That is freaking fantastic!!! I love it!' He kept the piece on his own chain, which gave the design room to read as a clean, graphic cut-out rather than a flat tag.

'That is freaking fantastic!!! I love it! I'm so excited to have this on my chain. Thank you 1000X.' — on seeing the first render

'Yes I received the pendant a couple days ago. Thank you very much for everything. I absolutely love the pendant!' — on delivery

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For himself Just because Make Your Mark Cultural or heritage, Identity expression

Quick specs

Design type

Pendants

Primary Metal

Gold plated silver

Primary Stone

No stone

Accent Stones

None

Style

Cultural heritage Cut out Word text

Design Complexity

Moderate

Intent

Make Your Mark Cultural or heritage, Identity expression

Intent: Certainty

High

Size

Pendant approximately 1.5in long, width proportional to length. Bail sized for a 3.3mm chain.

How they made it distinctive

01
Fully cut-out construction — the background was removed entirely rather than engraved, leaving pure open linework
02
Sized to the client's own 3.3mm chain with a custom-fitted bail rather than a generic one
03
Based on a design the client supplied himself, translated into a 3D model before any metal was cast
04
Cast in 18k gold-plated silver to balance a gold look with a lower cost than solid karat gold

How you'd make it yours

Metal: this piece uses 18k gold-plated silver; a new commission could use solid 10k, 14k, or 18k gold for a longer-lasting finish

Size: this piece is 1.5 inches; a new piece can be sized larger or smaller depending on the design's detail level

Design source: this piece used a client-submitted script design; a new commission could start from a different symbol, word, or graphic

Finish: this piece is high-polish throughout; a new commission could use a matte or brushed finish instead

One of a kind: this exact pendant was designed and cast 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 is for someone who already has a specific design in mind — a word, a symbol, a piece of script — and wants it turned into a real object rather than kept as a flat image. It suits someone who prefers graphic, open linework over a solid engraved plate, and who already has a chain they want to put it on.

How it's made

The client's design and description were translated into a 3D digital model, which determined the exact outline of the cut-out shape and the metal weight needed before any pricing or production began. Once the design was approved, the model was 3D-printed in wax and attached to a wax tree inside a flask; the flask went into a kiln to burn out the wax, leaving a hollow mold in its place. Molten metal was then cast into that mold and allowed to cool before the raw piece was removed for finishing. After casting, the piece was cleaned to remove investment residue from the mold, then polished to bring out a uniform high-shine finish across every edge of the open cut-out design — a more involved step than polishing a solid plate, since each interior edge of the negative space has to be finished by hand. The bail at the top was sized and finished last to confirm it would accept the client's existing 3.3mm chain before the piece was plated.

Key note

Because the design is a full cut-out rather than a solid plate, every interior edge of the negative space has to be hand-polished individually, not just the outer silhouette.

Pricing guidance

A cut-out script pendant of this size and detail level sits toward the lower end of custom pendant pricing, especially in a plated metal. The main cost driver is the 3D modeling and casting work needed to render a fully open, skeletal design rather than a solid shape, since every cut edge must be cleaned and polished. Metal choice is the next biggest factor, with solid karat gold running well above a plated option at the same size.

Moves price up ↑

↑
Upgrading from gold-plated silver to solid 10k, 14k, or 18k gold
↑
Increasing the pendant size beyond 1.5 inches, which adds metal weight and polishing time
↑
Adding a more intricate or multi-character design with more cut-out edges to finish
↑
Requesting a thicker chain that requires a larger custom bail
↑
Adding stones or engraving to the solid portions of the piece

Moves price down ↓

↓
Reducing the pendant size to under 1 inch
↓
Simplifying the design to fewer characters or less intricate linework
↓
Choosing a thinner gauge of metal where structurally appropriate
↓
Skipping any added engraving or stone accents
↓
Using a standard pre-made chain instead of a custom-fitted bail

Questions people ask

Can you turn a design I already have into a pendant?

Yes, a client-submitted image or description can be used as the starting point for a 3D model, which is then refined into a wearable pendant shape. The design team builds a digital render first so you can review proportions and detail before anything is cast. This approach works well for script, symbols, logos, or any graphic shape with a clear outline. The 3D model also determines the metal weight needed, which is used to finalize pricing before production starts.

What does it mean for a pendant to be a cut-out design?

A cut-out pendant removes the background material entirely, leaving only the outline and structural lines of the design as open metalwork rather than a solid plate. This creates a more skeletal, graphic look and makes the piece lighter than a solid pendant of the same size. It also means every interior edge has to be polished individually rather than just the outer border. The tradeoff is a bit more finishing labor in exchange for a more dramatic, dimensional look.

How much does a gold-plated silver pendant typically cost compared to solid gold?

Gold-plated silver pendants typically fall toward the lower end of custom pendant pricing because the base metal is silver rather than gold, with a gold layer plated over the surface. A comparable pendant in solid 10k, 14k, or 18k gold will cost meaningfully more at the same size, since the pricing scales with the actual gold content and weight. Plated pieces are a common way to get a gold look on a budget, though the plating will wear over time with regular use. Higher-karat plating generally holds its color longer than lower-karat plating.

Will gold plating wear off over time?

Yes, plating is a thin surface layer of gold over a base metal, and it will gradually wear with daily contact, especially at points that rub against skin or clothing. How long it lasts depends on use, but many wearers get a year or more of good color before any fading becomes noticeable. Re-plating is a standard jewelry service and can refresh the finish when needed. This is a normal tradeoff of choosing a plated piece over solid karat gold.

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

The design phase typically takes about a week, during which a 3D render is created and refined based on client feedback before anything is cast. Once the design is approved and production begins, casting and finishing generally take about four more weeks. A cut-out design adds some extra finishing time compared to a solid pendant because every interior edge of the open design has to be polished by hand. Total turnaround from deposit to shipping is usually around five to six weeks on a standard timeline.

Can I use my own chain with a custom pendant?

Yes, many clients already own a chain they want to pair with a new pendant, and the design team will size the bail specifically to fit it. It helps to confirm the chain's width in millimeters ahead of time so the bail opening is neither too tight nor too loose. This avoids the added cost of ordering a new chain and lets the pendant pair with a piece the client already wears. If the chain width isn't known, a simple photo next to a coin can help estimate the scale.

Is a fully cut-out pendant more fragile than a solid one?

A well-designed cut-out pendant is structurally sound for normal daily wear, but open designs do have thinner connection points than a solid plate, so the overall design has to account for that during modeling. Script and linear designs like lettering or symbols generally hold up well because the strokes themselves provide structural support. Very thin or delicate cut-out areas can be more prone to bending if snagged, so metal thickness is chosen with this in mind during the 3D design phase. This is one of the details worked out before casting rather than something left to chance.

Can a cut-out pendant be made in a different metal or finish later?

A new commission inspired by a cut-out design like this one could be made in a different metal, such as solid 14k or 18k gold instead of a plated option, which would change both the look and the long-term maintenance needs. A matte or brushed finish could also be used in place of a high polish for a different aesthetic. Each new piece is modeled and cast individually, so metal and finish choices are decided fresh for that commission. The original design concept — a fully open, cut-out script pendant — translates well across different metal choices.