Sniper Scope Coin Pendant in 14k Yellow Gold
$$$
14k yellow gold
L. came to us wanting a custom coin pendant based on a tattoo, built around a rifle-scope motif with a faceless silhouetted figure and a set of coordinate-style numbers. Working from a rough hand sketch since the original tattoo artist couldn't be reached, the design went through a few rounds of refinement — softening the figure's ears and increasing the size to the full 1.25 inches he wanted. When it arrived, he wrote that he was amazed at the attention to detail and that everyone who saw it thought it was incredible.
'Perfect I love it' — on seeing the revised 3D render
'Thank you to Carrie and your whole team. I am amazed at the attention to detail. It has been an absolute pleasure dealing with you to make my vision into reality. 100% satisfied.' — on delivery
Quick specs
Primary Metal
Primary Stone
Accent Stones
Design Complexity
Intent
Intent: Certainty
Size
Pendant 1.25in (31.75mm) diameter; thickness 1.7mm. Chain: client's own 8mm anchor link.
How they made it distinctive
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01
Rifle-scope crosshair framing chosen specifically to echo the source tattoo design rather than a standard coin layout
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02
Figure deliberately left faceless — rendered like a masked or hooded silhouette rather than a portrait
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03
Matte finish applied only to the central figure to set it apart from the high-polish coin face and rim
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04
Diameter held at a full 1.25 inches at the client's request, despite the added weight and cost
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05
Engraved coordinate-style numerals split across the four quadrants, sized to stay legible without overwhelming the central image
How you'd make it yours
Metal: this piece is 14k yellow gold; the same coin design works in 10k gold or sterling silver with rhodium plating
Diameter: this piece is 1.25 inches; a new commission can be sized larger or smaller
Finish: the matte/polish contrast shown here could instead be an all-polished or all-matte surface
Engraving: the quadrant numerals can be swapped for different coordinates, dates, or short text
Figure design: the silhouette and crosshair motif can be adapted to a different source image or tattoo
One of a kind: this exact pendant was designed around one client's tattoo and is not reproduced — a new commission is an original piece inspired by this one, not a copy
Design changes made
The figure's ears were made less prominent after the first render, and the diameter was increased from 1.1 inches to the originally requested 1.25 inches — both adjustments made after the client reviewed the initial 3D design.
Who this is for
This piece is for someone who wants a tattoo or personal symbol translated into something they can wear on a chain rather than just on their skin. It's especially suited to anyone who thinks in specific visual terms — exact coordinates, a precise silhouette, a particular framing — and wants that precision carried into metal.
How it's made
Once the design was approved, the piece was 3D-printed in wax and attached to a wax tree inside a flask. The flask was invested in plaster and fired in a kiln to burn out the wax, leaving a hollow mold. Molten 14k yellow gold was then cast into the mold under pressure and allowed to cool before the raw medallion was removed and prepared for finishing.
The quadrant engravings and crosshair lines were cleaned up first, then the piece moved to surface finishing: the central figure was given a matte finish while the surrounding coin face, rim, and bail were brought to a high polish, creating contrast between the two zones. No stone setting was required since the design relies entirely on engraving and surface texture for its detail.
Key note
The matte-versus-polish contrast is applied as a final, deliberate finishing step — the figure is left matte specifically so it reads as a distinct silhouette against the high-polish coin face around it.
Pricing guidance
A large coin-style medallion pendant with engraved detail and dual surface finishes sits in the mid-to-upper range for custom pendants of this size. Weight is the primary driver at this diameter — a 1.25 inch pendant in gold carries significant material cost before any labor is factored in. The finishing work (matte/polish contrast and detailed engraving) adds labor cost on top of the base metal weight.
Moves price up ↑
- ↑ Increasing the diameter beyond 1.25 inches, which adds weight disproportionately
- ↑ Increasing thickness beyond approximately 1.7mm
- ↑ Choosing 18k gold instead of 14k or 10k
- ↑ Adding more intricate or multi-layer engraving across the coin face
- ↑ Ordering in platinum rather than gold
Moves price down ↓
- ↓ Choosing 10k gold instead of 14k, which lowers material cost
- ↓ Reducing the diameter slightly below 1.25 inches
- ↓ Keeping the design single-sided rather than engraving the reverse
- ↓ Using sterling silver with rhodium plating instead of gold
- ↓ Simplifying the engraved numeral detail to fewer quadrants
Questions people ask
Yes, a tattoo design can be translated into a metal pendant using a photo, a line drawing, or even a rough sketch as reference. The design team rebuilds the image in 3D, refining details like facial features or proportions based on client feedback before anything is cast. A clear photo or drawing produces the most accurate result, but a hand-drawn sketch can work as a starting reference. The process typically goes through one or two rounds of revision before the final render is approved.
A matte finish is created by lightly texturing the metal surface so it diffuses light rather than reflecting it, giving a soft, non-reflective look. A polished finish is buffed to a mirror-like shine that reflects light sharply. Combining both on one piece, as with a matte center against a polished surrounding surface, creates visual contrast and makes a central design element stand out. Both finishes hold up well to daily wear, though a polished surface will show fine scratches more visibly over time than a matte one.
A large custom coin-style pendant, around 1.25 inches across, in 14k gold typically falls in the mid-to-upper range for pendant work because of how much metal weight a piece this size requires. The thickness has a big impact on price — a thinner profile uses significantly less material than a thicker, coin-like heft. Switching to 10k gold or sterling silver with rhodium plating brings the cost down substantially while keeping the same design. Engraving detail and the number of finished surfaces also factor into the final price.
Yes, engraved numerals, coordinates, or text can be incorporated directly into a cast design rather than added afterward, which keeps the lines crisp and permanent. These details are typically laid out in the 3D model stage so their placement and size can be previewed before casting. Fine numeral engraving works best when it's kept secondary to the main visual element, since too much text competing with the central design can clutter a small surface. This approach differs from hand-engraving added after casting, which has a slightly different, more textured line quality.
14k gold is a common choice for a pendant of this size because it balances durability with a manageable weight increase compared to higher karats. At around 1.25 inches with some thickness, a pendant will carry noticeable weight no matter the karat, since gold is a dense metal. 10k gold is a lighter-cost alternative with slightly less gold content, while 18k gold would increase both the cost and the softness of the metal. For a piece worn daily on a chain, 14k offers a reasonable balance of color, durability, and cost.
Yes, a design like this can be produced in sterling silver with a rhodium plating, which protects the silver and the wearer's skin from the copper alloy used in sterling silver reacting with skin chemistry. Silver is significantly lighter in cost than gold for a piece of this size. Some wearers notice green discoloration from sterling silver's copper content, which rhodium plating is specifically meant to prevent. A 10k white gold version is also an option for someone who wants a white metal look with more durability than plated silver.
The design phase for a pendant like this typically takes about a week, during which a 3D render is created and refined based on feedback. Once the final design is approved, production generally takes an additional three to four weeks to complete, covering casting, finishing, and quality control. Larger or thicker pendants with more engraving detail can sometimes take slightly longer depending on finishing requirements. The client receives a tracking number as soon as the finished piece ships.
Yes, once an initial design is completed and approved, the same 3D file can be used as a basis for a second piece, including in a different metal. Design files are kept on record even after a project is completed, so small changes like a different engraved number or a different metal type can be priced and produced without starting the design from scratch. This makes a second or matching piece generally more straightforward than the original commission. Pricing for a repeat piece depends on the metal chosen and any changes requested.
