Home Get Inspired Pendants Inverted Cross Pendant in Silver with Topaz and CZ

An inverted silver cross pendant on a thin chain, set with clear round stones along the arms and a row of blue stones across the horizontal bar, hanging against a marbled light blue background.

Inverted Cross Pendant in Silver with Topaz and CZ

Sterling silver, cubic zirconia, blue topaz

A client came to us wanting a very specific symbol — an inverted St. Peter's cross, not a standard cross — rendered with a mix of clear and blue stones from a reference photo he provided. When the design came back, he wrote simply: 'That looks absolutely amazing!' and later, on delivery: 'So psyched. Thanks so much!'

'That looks absolutely amazing!' — on seeing the first render

'So psyched. Thanks so much!' — on delivery

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For himself Just because Make Your Mark Identity expression

Quick specs

Design type

Pendants

Primary Metal

Sterling silver

Shape / Cut

Round

Primary Stone

Blue topaz

Accent Stones

Other

Style

Cross Orthodox cross style Religios

Design Complexity

Simple

Intent

Make Your Mark Identity expression

Intent: Certainty

Medium

Size

Pendant 19×12.7mm (0.75in x 0.5in); chain width small, length 14in.

How they made it distinctive

01
Inverted orientation specifically requested — a St. Peter's cross rather than a standard upright cross
02
Two-tone stone layout with clear cubic zirconia and blue topaz, matched to a reference photo the client provided
03
Compact 0.75-inch scale chosen deliberately for comfortable everyday wear on a fine chain
04
Scrolled bail detail adds a decorative touch beyond a plain loop connector

How you'd make it yours

Stone type: this piece uses cubic zirconia and blue topaz; a new commission could use lab sapphire or natural sapphire for the blue tone

Metal: this piece is sterling silver; the same cross design works in gold-plated silver or solid gold

Size: made to this piece's 0.75-inch specification; a new piece can be sized larger or smaller

Stone layout: the two-tone clear/blue split can be adjusted to a single color or a different arrangement on a new design

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

Design matched the initial brief without major changes — the client clarified early on that he wanted an inverted St. Peter's cross rather than a standard upright cross, and that direction was incorporated from the first render.

Who this is for

This piece is for someone who wants a specific religious symbol rendered exactly as they picture it, not a generic cross off a shelf. It suits someone comfortable asking for an unconventional detail — like an inverted orientation — and who wants that detail taken seriously and executed precisely.

How it's made

Once the design was approved, the 3D model was printed in wax 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 sterling silver was poured into the mold to cast the raw pendant. After cooling, the piece was removed from the mold and prepared for cleanup before finishing began. The cast pendant was cleaned, polished, and refined from its rougher as-cast state — the 3D print stage runs oversized with longer prongs, which are shortened and smoothed once the stones are set. Round cubic zirconia stones were hand-set along the vertical arm and upper portion, while round blue topaz stones were set across the horizontal bar to match the color layout from the client's reference image.

Key note

The 3D-printed wax model is produced roughly ten times larger than the finished piece, with longer prongs that are only trimmed down to their final height after the stones are set.

Pricing guidance

A sterling silver cross pendant of this size and stone count sits toward the lower end of custom pendant pricing. The main cost driver is the hand-setting of multiple small stones rather than the metal itself, since sterling silver is a comparatively low-cost base metal. Stone choice and total stone count are what move the price most from there.

Moves price up ↑

↑
Upgrading from cubic zirconia to natural or lab sapphire for the blue stones
↑
Switching the base metal from sterling silver to 14k gold or gold-plated silver
↑
Increasing the stone count beyond what fits a 0.75-inch pendant
↑
Adding stones to both the front and back faces of the cross
↑
Requesting a thicker chain or a custom-matched chain rather than a standard sourced one

Moves price down ↓

↓
Reducing the number of stones set along the arms
↓
Using a single stone color throughout rather than a two-tone layout
↓
Choosing a smaller overall pendant size
↓
Simplifying the bail to a plain loop rather than a scrolled design
↓
Omitting stones from one arm of the cross

Questions people ask

Is cubic zirconia a good stone for everyday jewelry?

Cubic zirconia is a durable, affordable stone commonly used in pendants and rings for everyday wear. It rates around 8 to 8.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, which means it resists scratching well under normal daily conditions, though it is softer than a diamond. It does not have the same long-term brilliance retention as a diamond and can show more wear over many years of heavy use. For a pendant that is not subject to constant impact, like a cross worn on a chain, it holds up reliably.

What is the difference between blue topaz and sapphire?

Blue topaz and sapphire are different minerals with different hardness and price points. Topaz rates about 8 on the Mohs scale while sapphire rates 9, making sapphire more scratch-resistant over decades of wear. Topaz is significantly more affordable than natural or lab sapphire, which is why it's often chosen as a blue-stone alternative when budget is a factor. Visually, both can read as a clear, bright blue depending on the specific stone's saturation.

Why is this cross upside down — is that intentional?

Yes, an inverted cross in this context represents the St. Peter's cross, a recognized symbol distinct from a standard upright cross. It references the tradition that Peter was crucified upside down, and it is a specific and intentional design choice rather than a styling error. Clients who request this design are specific about wanting the inverted orientation rather than a standard cross.

Does sterling silver tarnish, and how do you maintain it?

Sterling silver (.925 silver) can tarnish over time when exposed to air and moisture, forming a dull or darkened surface layer. Regular wear actually helps slow tarnishing because the friction from skin contact keeps the surface polished. A simple silver polishing cloth restores shine when tarnishing does occur, and storing the piece in a sealed bag or box when not worn reduces air exposure. This is a normal maintenance routine for silver jewelry and does not indicate a defect.

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

A custom pendant like this one typically takes about one week for the design phase, where a 3D render is created and approved, followed by two to three weeks of production. Production includes wax printing, casting, cleanup, and hand-setting of the stones before final polishing and quality control. The full process from deposit to shipping generally falls within three to four weeks for a standard timeline. Rush timelines are possible but are a separate request from the standard process.

Can you make a pendant with a mix of two different stone colors?

Yes, mixing two stone colors in a single pendant is a common and straightforward request, especially on pieces with enough surface area to set stones in distinct sections. In this cross design, clear cubic zirconia stones were set along one portion of the piece and blue topaz stones along another, following a reference image the client provided. The key consideration is making sure the stone sizes are proportioned to the metal area available, since smaller pendants can only accommodate certain stone sizes.

What size pendant is comfortable for everyday wear?

A pendant around three-quarters of an inch to one inch in length is a common comfortable size for daily wear, especially for symbolic pieces like a cross. Smaller pendants in this range sit closer to the body and are less likely to catch on clothing or feel heavy over a full day. Larger statement pendants are better suited to occasional wear rather than being worn constantly. The chain width should also be proportioned to the pendant size — a very fine chain can look underwhelming under a larger, heavier pendant.

Can the stone layout be changed on a design like this?

Yes, the stone layout on a pendant like this can be adjusted based on a reference image or a client's own color preferences. This piece used a two-tone layout with clear stones along part of the cross and blue stones along the horizontal bar, based on a photo the client shared early in the process. Adjustments like this are typically made during the 3D render stage, before any metal is cast, so the client can confirm the layout matches their vision.