Home Get Inspired Pendants Engraved Dog Portrait Pendant — Gold Keepsake for a Partner

Engraved Dog Portrait Pendant — Gold Keepsake for a Partner

Gold-plated silver

A wife commissioned this pendant for her husband while their dog Athena, whom he had rescued as a puppy, was declining in health at age 13. She wanted something he could always carry with him of his favorite girl. The first render had more surface detail than she expected, and she asked for a cleaner outline and a forward-facing portrait instead of a profile — the final design removed a collar and softened the linework to let the dog's expression come through. She gave it to him on Christmas, and a few days later they made the difficult decision to say goodbye to Athena. She wrote back: 'John his necklace on Christmas and he loved it... it was such a comfort to us both.'

'Oh my!! How beautiful! Thank you so much.' — on delivery

'John his necklace on Christmas and he loved it... it was such a comfort to us both.' — on giving the pendant to her husband, shortly before their dog passed away

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Christmas Daily wear Gift for partner In Their Memory Pet memorial

Quick specs

Design type

Pendants

Primary Metal

Gold plated silver

Primary Stone

No stone

Accent Stones

None

Style

Animals Engraved Memorial Photo pendant Portrait

Design Complexity

Moderate

Intent

In Their Memory Pet memorial

Intent: Certainty

High

Size

Pendant approximately 1in diameter (25mm); chain width approximately 3mm.

How they made it distinctive

01
Portrait adjusted from full profile to a forward-facing half-profile after client feedback, so the dog's expression reads more directly
02
Surface detail deliberately simplified — wrinkles, texture dots, and a collar were removed to keep the focus on the outline and expression
03
Name engraved on the back rather than the front, keeping the visible design gender-neutral for a husband's everyday wear
04
Matte finish applied only to the recessed portrait lines so the engraving stands out clearly against the polished plaque
05
Bail sized specifically to fit the client's existing rope chain rather than a generic fitting

How you'd make it yours

Portrait style: this piece uses a simplified engraved outline; a new commission could use more dimensional or photorealistic detail

Metal: this piece is gold-plated silver; the same design works in solid 14k or 18k gold, or sterling silver without plating

Pendant shape: this piece is a round plaque; an oval or other shape could carry the same engraved style

Back engraving: currently a name in script; a new piece could carry a date, short phrase, or different font

Size: this piece is sized to match an existing chain; a new commission is sized to its own wearer and chain

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

Design changes made

The first render included more surface detail — wrinkles, dot texture, and a collar — which the client felt distracted from the dog's expression; these were removed in favor of a cleaner engraved outline, and the pose was adjusted from full profile to a half-profile facing more forward.

Who this is for

This piece is for someone who wants to give a partner a quiet, wearable way to carry a pet close, without it reading as an overt memorial to everyone who sees it. It's especially right if the person receiving it prefers something understated — a portrait on the front, a name tucked away on the back — that only means something extra to the people who know the story.

How it's made

The design began as a 3D model built from the client's reference photo, refined through two rounds of client feedback before being finalized as an engraved round plaque. Once approved, a wax model was 3D-printed and attached to a tree inside a flask, which was then kiln-fired to burn out the wax and leave a hollow mold. Molten gold-plated silver was cast into that mold, then the piece was extracted, cleaned, and polished. The front portrait was engraved as a clean outline with a matte finish applied to the recessed lower portions, making the linework stand out clearly against the polished high points. The back was separately engraved with the dog's name in a script font the client selected for being personal but not overly feminine. The bail was sized to fit the client's existing rope chain, confirmed from photos before production.

Key note

The recessed portrait lines were given a matte finish specifically so the outline reads clearly against the surrounding polished gold, rather than relying on depth alone.

Pricing guidance

An engraved photo-style pendant like this sits toward the lower end of the price range for custom pendant work, since it uses an engraving process rather than dimensional sculpting. Most of the cost comes from the 3D design and modeling work needed to translate a photo into a clean engraved likeness, plus the gold plating. Size and the amount of engraved detail are the main variables from there.

Moves price up ↑

↑
Upgrading from gold-plated silver to solid 14k or 18k gold
↑
Increasing the pendant size beyond one inch
↑
Adding more dimensional or 3D relief detail rather than a flat engraved outline
↑
Engraving on both the front and back with additional text or imagery
↑
Requesting a more complex background or cut-out design

Moves price down ↓

↓
Reducing the pendant to a smaller size
↓
Choosing sterling silver without gold plating
↓
Simplifying the engraving to a more minimal outline with less linework
↓
Skipping the back engraving
↓
Using a plain bail instead of a custom-fitted one

Questions people ask

How long does gold plating last on a pendant like this?

Gold plating on sterling silver typically lasts one to three years with regular daily wear before it starts to show thinning, especially at high-contact points. How long it lasts depends on how often the piece is worn and exposed to moisture, lotion, or friction from clothing. Higher karat plating (18k versus 14k) tends to hold its color slightly longer. Re-plating is a straightforward and common service most jewelers offer when the base metal starts to show through.

Can you engrave a pet's face from just a photo?

Yes. The process starts with a 3D digital model built from the photo you provide, which is then refined into a clean engraved line drawing rather than a photographic reproduction. Higher resolution and well-lit photos produce a clearer likeness, but even a casual phone photo is usually enough to capture recognizable features like ear shape and expression. You'll see a render of the design before anything is cast, so adjustments can be made before production starts.

What does a custom engraved pet memorial pendant typically cost?

A round engraved pendant of this size and complexity sits toward the lower end of custom pendant pricing, since it relies on an engraving process rather than sculpted dimensional detail. Most of the cost is the 3D design work required to turn a photograph into a clean engraved portrait, plus the metal and plating chosen. Upgrading to solid gold or adding more detailed engraving increases the cost from there.

How long does it take to make an engraved pendant like this?

The design phase typically takes about a week, during which you'll review a 3D render and request any changes before approval. Once the design is approved, production takes roughly three to four weeks, covering wax modeling, casting, and finishing. Rush timelines are sometimes possible for date-driven gifts like holidays, but should be discussed upfront.

Can the engraving be changed after I see the first design?

Yes, this is a normal part of the process. It's common for clients to request changes to detail level, pose, or engraved text after seeing the first render — in this case, the design was simplified from a more detailed image to a cleaner outline, and the pose was adjusted based on feedback. Most design revisions can be made before the piece moves to production without additional cost, though major changes after casting begins may not be possible.

Is gold-plated silver a good choice for a pendant that will be worn every day?

Gold-plated silver is a popular choice for pendants because it gives the look of solid gold at a lower material cost, and sterling silver underneath is a durable, tarnish-resistant base. The tradeoff is that the gold plating is a surface layer that will gradually wear thinner with daily contact, particularly where the pendant rubs against clothing or skin. For someone who wants the gold look without the cost of solid gold, and doesn't mind eventual re-plating, it's a practical option. Solid gold is the alternative if you want to avoid replating entirely.

Can you put a name or word on the back of a pendant like this?

Yes, engraving a name, date, or short word on the back is a common addition to a front-facing design like this one. You can typically choose from a range of font styles, from bold block lettering to a softer script, depending on the tone you want. Back engraving doesn't interfere with the front design and is usually included in the base engraving process rather than priced as a major add-on.

What's the difference between an engraved outline and a fully dimensional pendant?

An engraved outline pendant is essentially a flat plaque with the design cut or etched into the surface, often with a matte finish in the recessed areas to make the linework stand out. A fully dimensional piece is sculpted in three dimensions, with raised and shaped surfaces that give it more physical depth and texture. Engraved designs are generally less expensive and faster to produce, while dimensional pieces cost more but can capture more lifelike detail. Both approaches can produce a clear, recognizable likeness — the choice mostly comes down to budget and preferred aesthetic.