Home Get Inspired Pendants King of Hearts Playing Card Pendant in Gold and Black Enamel

A rectangular gold pendant with a black enamel King of Hearts playing card design, engraved 'Big Brother' above the card, hanging from a gold rope chain.

King of Hearts Playing Card Pendant in Gold and Black Enamel

Gold-plated silver, black enamel

A client wanted a King of Hearts playing card turned into a pendant, personalized as a gift with the words "Big Brother" engraved above the card and a two-letter monogram on the back. After a small typo in the first render was corrected, he approved the design and had it made in gold-plated silver with black enamel. When it arrived, he wrote simply: "Love it!"

'Love it!' — on delivery

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Daily wear For himself Make Your Mark Identity expression

Quick specs

Design type

Pendants

Primary Metal

Gold plated silver

Primary Stone

No stone

Accent Stones

None

Style

Cultural heritage Engraved Word text

Design Complexity

Moderate

Intent

Make Your Mark Identity expression

Intent: Certainty

High

Size

Pendant approximately 25mm x 38mm (1 inch); chain width confirmed via client photo, rope-style chain.

How they made it distinctive

01
Playing card motif rendered in black enamel and gold for high contrast against the polished metal
02
"Big Brother" engraved above the card face, personalizing what could otherwise be a generic novelty design
03
Two-letter monogram centered on the back as a second, more private personalization
04
Bail custom-shaped to fit the client's own existing rope chain rather than a standard width
05
Enamel fill chosen specifically for its durability over black rhodium plating

How you'd make it yours

Card or suit: this piece uses the King of Hearts; a new commission could use any card or suit combination

Finish: this piece uses black enamel fill; a new piece could use black rhodium plating for a different look

Metal: this piece is gold-plated silver; the same design works in solid 14k gold or sterling silver

Engraving: the front and back text can be changed to a different name, nickname, or initials on a new piece

Size: this piece is sized at 1 inch; a new commission can be made larger or smaller

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 back engraving was corrected from "GC" to the requested "GQ" after the client caught the typo in the first render — the only change made to the approved design.

Who this is for

This piece is for someone who wants a playing card motif to mean something specific rather than just look sharp — a nickname, an inside reference, or a relationship worth naming on the piece itself. It's especially right if you already have a chain you love and want a pendant designed to fit it rather than buying a new one.

How it's made

Once the design was finalized, a 3D digital model was built from the client's reference photo and engraving specifications, then printed as a resin model to confirm the layout and bail fit before casting. The resin was attached to a wax tree, invested in plaster, and burned out in a kiln to leave a hollow mold. Molten gold-plated silver was then cast into the mold to form the raw pendant. After casting, the piece was cleaned and polished to bring out the card's fine linework, and the bail was shaped and fitted specifically to accommodate the client's own rope chain rather than a standard bail width. The recessed card details were then filled with black enamel to create the contrast against the polished gold, and the front and back engravings — "Big Brother" and "GQ" — were added in a simple serif font as the final finishing step.

Key note

The bail was custom-shaped to fit the specific rope chain the client already owned, rather than being cast to a standard bail width.

Pricing guidance

A moderately detailed enamel pendant with custom engraving sits toward the lower end of the mid-range for personalized pieces. Most of the cost comes from the enamel fill work and the two engraved text elements, which each require separate finishing steps beyond the base casting. Size and metal choice are what move the price most from there.

Moves price up ↑

↑
Increasing the pendant size beyond 1 inch, which requires more metal and more enamel surface area
↑
Upgrading from gold-plated silver to solid 14k or 18k gold
↑
Adding engraving in a script or custom font that requires more detailed hand work
↑
Adding a second color of enamel fill instead of a single black fill
↑
Setting a small accent stone into the card design

Moves price down ↓

↓
Reducing the pendant to a smaller size, such as 3/4 inch
↓
Removing one of the two engraved text elements
↓
Using a plain polished finish instead of enamel fill
↓
Choosing a simpler card or symbol with less fine linework to engrave

Questions people ask

How durable is black enamel on a gold pendant?

Black enamel is a fired-glass fill that sits in recessed areas of the metal, which makes it more durable than paint but not indestructible. It resists everyday wear well, though sharp impacts or repeated flexing can chip the edges over time. Most enamel pendants hold up for years with normal wear if not knocked against hard surfaces. If a chip does occur, most jewelers can refill small areas of enamel as a repair service.

What's the difference between black enamel and black rhodium plating on a pendant?

Enamel is a fired glass material that fills recessed engraved areas, giving a glossy, permanent color fill that resists fading. Black rhodium is a thin metal plating applied over the entire surface, giving a matte black look but wearing thinner with friction over time, especially on high-contact areas. Enamel is generally the more durable choice for a design like a playing card where the black areas are recessed and detailed. Rhodium plating typically needs re-plating every one to two years to stay looking fresh.

How much does a custom playing card pendant like this cost?

A one-inch gold-plated silver pendant with black enamel fill and two engraved text elements sits toward the lower end of the mid-range for personalized pendants. The enamel work and engraving are what add cost beyond a plain polished pendant of the same size. Choosing a larger size, upgrading the metal, or adding more engraved detail would move the price higher.

Can you turn any playing card into a pendant?

Yes, any card from a standard deck can be adapted into a pendant design, including the suit symbols and court-figure artwork. The design team builds a 3D model from a reference image and adjusts the linework so it engraves and enamels cleanly at pendant scale. Fine details from the original card art are simplified slightly to make sure they hold up in metal rather than getting lost.

How long does it take to make a custom enamel pendant?

The process typically takes about one week for the design phase, where a 3D render is created and refined based on feedback, followed by three to four weeks for production. Production includes 3D printing a resin model, casting the metal, polishing, enamel fill, and engraving. The full timeline from deposit to shipping is usually around a month, though it can vary depending on how much revision the design needs.

Can I use my own chain instead of buying a new one?

Yes, many clients provide their own chain, and the pendant's bail can be custom-fitted to match its width so it hangs correctly. A photo of the chain next to a ruler or coin is typically requested to confirm the exact width before the bail is designed. This avoids the common problem of a bail that's too tight or too loose for an existing chain.

Can text be engraved on both the front and back of a pendant like this?

Yes, a pendant like this can carry engraving on both the front, above or around the main design, and the back, typically centered. Font style should be confirmed before the 3D model is finalized, since simple block or serif fonts engrave more cleanly at small sizes than elaborate script. Each additional engraved element adds a small amount to the overall cost due to the extra finishing step involved.