Peridot Teardrop & Round Pendant in 14k Yellow Gold

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14k yellow gold, peridot

A husband came to us wanting to turn something his wife had once said in passing — a half-joking hint about a peridot necklace — into a real Christmas gift. He worked through the design with us long-distance, choosing a pear stone stacked above a round one with a touch of visible gold between them, and asked that the shipping box give nothing away so the surprise would hold until Christmas morning. When it arrived, he wrote that it was exactly as he'd described it and would make a lovely surprise for his wife.
'This looks good. This concept comes from a "thinking out loud" moment by my wife earlier this year.' — on seeing the first sketch
'The design is perfect.' — on design approval
'The necklace is just as I described it and should be a lovely surprise to my wife.' — on delivery
Quick specs

Design type

Primary Metal

Shape / Cut

Primary Stone

Accent Stones


Design Complexity


Intent: Certainty

Size
Pendant approx. 1 inch drop; pear stone 0.75ct (approx. 6mm), round stone 1.0ct (approx. 7mm); chain 18in, 1.5mm cable, 14k yellow gold.

How they made it distinctive
  • 01
    Two-stone vertical design + built around a passing comment the client's wife made, turning an offhand hint into a deliberate gift
  • 02
    Pear stone stacked above a round stone + a shape pairing chosen specifically by the client rather than a standard single-stone layout
  • 03
    Visible gold gap between the settings + client requested a small separation rather than having the stones set flush together
  • 04
    Round stone upsized by one increment after the initial estimate + client wanted a slightly bolder presence for that stone
  • 05
    Shipped in unmarked packaging + client specifically asked for generic exterior markings to protect the Christmas surprise
How you'd make it yours
Stone: this piece uses two peridots; a new commission could use amethyst, garnet, or another birthstone in the same two-stone layout
Stone arrangement: this piece sets pear above round; a new piece could reverse the order or use two matching shapes
Metal: this piece is 14k yellow gold; the same design works in white or rose gold
Chain: this piece uses an 18-inch cable chain; a new piece could use a longer length or a different chain style
Setting gap: this piece has a visible metal bridge between the stones; a new commission could set the stones closer together for a more compact look
One of a kind: this exact pendant was designed for one client's Christmas gift and is not reproduced — a new commission is an original piece inspired by this one, not a copy
Design changes made
The round peridot was sized up by one increment after the initial estimate, and the client asked for a small visible gap of gold between the two stones rather than having them set flush together.
Who this is for
This pendant is for someone who wants to take a small, offhand comment from someone they love and turn it into something real. It suits a partner who prefers a birthstone piece that reads as an actual design decision — two stones, a deliberate arrangement — rather than a single generic birthstone charm.
How it's made
Once the sketch was approved, the design moved into a 3D CAD model, followed by a wax model that was connected to a wax tree and invested for casting. The tree was fired in a kiln to burn out the wax, leaving a hollow mold, and molten 14k yellow gold was poured in under pressure to form the raw pendant. A resin preview was shared with the client partway through production so he could see the design taking shape before the final metal casting was finished. After casting, the pendant was cleaned up and polished to a bright finish across the gold. The pear-cut peridot was set first into its prong setting at the top, followed by the round peridot below it, with the prongs adjusted afterward to sit securely and evenly around each stone. The two settings are joined by a small bridge of polished gold, giving the visible separation the client asked for between the stones.
Key note
The gap between the two peridots isn't just visual — it's a small structural bridge of gold that keeps the pear and round settings independently secure rather than sharing a single connected gallery.
Pricing guidance
A two-stone peridot pendant in 14k yellow gold with a simple cable chain sits toward the lower end of custom pendant pricing. Most of the cost comes from the gold weight and the labor of setting two individually prong-set stones rather than one, since each stone requires its own secure setting and finishing pass. Chain length and gauge have a smaller but still noticeable effect on the total.
Moves price up ↑
  • ↑
    Upgrading from 14k to 18k gold increases material cost
  • ↑
    Adding a bezel setting instead of prongs, which requires more hand-finishing
  • ↑
    Increasing either stone's carat weight beyond what's shown here
  • ↑
    Adding accent diamonds around the peridots
  • ↑
    Choosing a thicker or more elaborate chain style than a basic cable chain
Moves price down ↓
  • ↓
    Reducing to a single stone rather than a two-stone design
  • ↓
    Using a smaller carat weight for both stones
  • ↓
    Choosing a thinner, more basic chain gauge
  • ↓
    Selecting a shorter chain length
  • ↓
    Using sterling silver with gold plating instead of solid 14k gold
Questions people ask
Peridot rates about 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, which makes it reasonably durable for a pendant that isn't exposed to constant impact. It's softer than sapphire or diamond, so it's best to avoid knocking it against hard surfaces or wearing it during rough activity. For a necklace pendant that sits away from the hands, this level of hardness is generally fine for daily wear. Cleaning with mild soap and water and avoiding ultrasonic cleaners will help keep the stone looking bright over time.
Yes, pairing a pear-cut stone with a round-cut stone in the same pendant is a straightforward design choice and doesn't require unusual techniques. Each stone gets its own prong setting sized to its shape, and the two settings can be joined by a small section of metal to create separation or connected directly if a more compact look is wanted. The main consideration is making sure the proportions between the two stones read as balanced rather than mismatched. This kind of two-stone vertical arrangement works well for birthstone pendants or pieces built around two meaningful stones.
A pendant like this — 14k yellow gold with two prong-set peridots and a simple chain — falls toward the lower to middle range for custom pendant work. The main cost drivers are the gold weight, the labor of setting two stones individually, and the chain style chosen. Adding accent stones, upgrading the gold karat, or choosing a heavier chain would move the price up from there.
The design phase typically takes about a week, covering the sketch, 3D model, and rendered preview for approval. Once the design is approved, production takes roughly three to four weeks, covering wax modeling, casting, stone setting, and polishing. Rush timelines are sometimes possible around holidays but should be discussed with the design team as early as possible.
Yes, this same two-stone vertical design works with any stone pairing — the setting style just needs to be adjusted slightly for each stone's hardness and typical cut availability. Common substitutions include amethyst, aquamarine, or garnet depending on the birth month being represented. The proportions and prong style shown here would translate well to most transparent faceted gemstones in similar size ranges.
Renders are a close approximation but not a perfect match — yellow gold in particular can look slightly different in a photorealistic render versus how it appears in person under different lighting. Prongs may also appear longer in a render than in the finished piece, since they get trimmed and adjusted during the actual stone-setting process. This is a normal part of the process and doesn't indicate an error in the design.
Yes, chain length is one of the easiest elements to adjust on a design like this. An 18-inch chain sits at a mid-length that works for most necklines without sitting too high or too low, but shorter or longer options are available depending on how the wearer wants the pendant to sit.
No, shipments are sent in generic packaging with no mention of jewelry on the exterior, largely for insurance and security reasons. This also happens to help when a piece is meant to be a surprise gift. An adult signature is typically required on delivery, though a hold-for-pickup location can be arranged instead if preferred.

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