Home Get Inspired Pendants Personalized Name & Number Pendant in Sterling Silver

A sterling silver cut-out pendant shaped like a shield, with a cursive name engraved at the top and bold cut-out numerals below, on a cable chain against a marble background.

Personalized Name & Number Pendant in Sterling Silver

Sterling silver

S. came to us wanting a pendant to remember her husband, who had passed away the year before. She asked for his name and a meaningful set of numbers cut directly through the silver rather than set on a plain background, and wanted it finished in time for Christmas. When the render came through she wrote simply, 'I love it!!' and after wearing it for several weeks she added, 'I absolutely love it!!!! I couldn't have asked for better.'

'I love it!!' — on seeing the first render

'I absolutely love it!!!! I couldn't have asked for better.' — on delivery

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Daily wear For herself Just because Make Your Mark Identity expression, Personal symbol / signet

Quick specs

Design type

Pendants

Primary Metal

Sterling silver

Primary Stone

No stone

Accent Stones

None

Style

Cut out Memorial Word text

Design Complexity

Moderate

Intent

Make Your Mark Identity expression, Personal symbol / signet

Intent: Certainty

Medium

Size

Pendant approximately 1in (25.4mm). Chain 16in.

How they made it distinctive

01
Cut-out construction chosen over a solid background so the name and numbers read as open negative space rather than raised or engraved text
02
Script font paired with bold block numerals for contrast between the name and the number sequence
03
Shield-shaped frame gives the piece a defined silhouette rather than a plain rectangular plaque
04
Sized at a wearable 1 inch so the detail stays legible without the pendant feeling oversized
05
Made as a memorial piece carrying a name and numbers meaningful to the client's husband

How you'd make it yours

Metal: this piece is sterling silver; a new commission could use gold-plated silver, 14k gold, or rose gold for a different look

Font: this piece uses a script name with block numerals; a new piece could use a single consistent font style throughout

Frame shape: this piece uses a shield silhouette; a new commission could use a round, oval, or plain rectangular outline

Chain: this piece has a 16-inch cable chain; a new piece could use a different length or chain style such as curb or figaro

Engraving: the reverse side is currently blank and could carry a date or short phrase on a new piece

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.

Who this is for

This piece is for someone who wants to carry a name and a meaningful number close to them every day, in a form that feels personal rather than decorative. It's especially right for anyone who wants a keepsake that reads as quiet and wearable rather than overtly memorial in style.

How it's made

Once the design was approved, the pendant was 3D printed in wax using a digital model built from the client's reference photo and description. The wax was attached to a tree, invested in plaster, and fired in a kiln to burn out the wax and leave a hollow mold. Molten sterling silver was then cast into the mold under pressure and allowed to cool before the raw piece was removed for finishing. After casting, the pendant was cleaned up and the open cut-out sections were refined so the script name and numerals read clearly through the negative space. The entire piece was then polished to a uniform mirror finish, including the bail, which was stamped with a 925 hallmark to confirm sterling silver content. A cable chain in matching silver finish was attached to complete the piece.

Key note

The lettering and numerals are not engraved on a solid surface — they are cut directly through the metal, so the open shapes have to be refined by hand after casting to keep the script legible at this small scale.

Pricing guidance

A cut-out silver name-and-number pendant of moderate complexity sits toward the lower end of custom pendant pricing. Most of the cost comes from the hand-finishing required to keep fine cut-out script and numerals clean and legible at a small scale, plus the 3D design work to lay out the text. Chain length and metal choice are the main variables from there.

Moves price up ↑

↑
Upgrading from sterling silver to 14k gold or gold-plated silver
↑
Adding a solid background behind the cut-out text rather than leaving it open
↑
Increasing the pendant size beyond 1 inch, which requires more metal and more cut-out detailing
↑
Adding stone accents alongside the text
↑
Engraving additional text on the reverse side

Moves price down ↓

↓
Reducing the pendant to a single line of text rather than a name plus a separate number line
↓
Choosing a shorter or lighter-gauge chain
↓
Simplifying the frame shape to a plain outline instead of a shield silhouette
↓
Using a block font instead of a hand-drawn script, which reduces cut-out refinement time

Questions people ask

Can you make a pendant with cut-out letters instead of engraving?

Yes, cut-out (openwork) lettering is a standard technique where the letters and numbers are cut directly through the metal rather than engraved on top of a solid surface. The piece starts as a 3D digital design, is 3D printed in wax, and then cast in the chosen metal, with the open sections refined by hand after casting. This style works well for both names and numbers and keeps the pendant lightweight since there is less solid metal. Script fonts require more careful hand-finishing than block fonts to keep the cut-out shapes clean.

How durable is a sterling silver pendant with cut-out details?

Sterling silver (.925) is a durable metal for everyday wear, but cut-out designs are inherently more delicate than solid pendants because the open sections create thinner connection points between letters and numbers. With normal care — avoiding sharp impacts and removing it before activities that could catch or bend the piece — it holds up well for daily wear. Like all sterling silver, it will tarnish over time with air exposure and can be restored with a standard silver polishing cloth. The polished finish will show fine scratches over years of wear, which is normal for a worn-daily piece.

What does a custom name pendant like this typically cost?

A cut-out silver pendant combining a name and numbers in a moderately complex design sits toward the lower end of custom pendant pricing. The main cost driver is the hand-finishing time needed to keep fine cut-out text legible, plus the initial 3D design work. Chain length and whether you choose silver versus a gold option are the biggest factors that shift the price from there.

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

A custom pendant like this typically takes about five to six weeks from deposit to delivery on a standard timeline. The first week covers the 3D design and render, which you review and approve before any metal is cast. Production — casting, finishing, and chain attachment — takes roughly four to five weeks after approval, depending on the studio's schedule.

Can I get a pendant like this in gold instead of silver?

Yes, the same cut-out design language works in gold-plated silver, solid 14k or 18k gold, or rose gold. Gold-plated silver is the most common upgrade from sterling silver and gives a gold look at a lower cost than solid gold, though the plating will wear gradually with daily use and may need re-plating over time. Solid gold costs more but does not require re-plating and will hold its color permanently.

Can you add a photo or extra engraving to a pendant like this?

Yes, a design like this can carry additional engraving on the back of the pendant, such as a date or a short phrase, since the back surface is solid and unused by the cut-out design on the front. A photo would typically require a different production method — laser enamel photo engraving onto a flat metal base — which is a separate process from cut-out lettering and would need its own smooth surface area. Combining both techniques on one pendant is possible but would need to be planned into the initial design.

Will the cut-out numbers and letters bend or break easily?

The connection points between cut-out letters and numbers are thinner than a solid pendant, so they are more vulnerable to bending than a solid plaque, but the design is engineered during the 3D modeling stage to keep those connection points thick enough for normal wear. Avoiding snagging the pendant on clothing or during activity is the main practical precaution. If a connection point does bend, sterling silver can typically be gently reshaped, though repeated bending increases the risk of a crack at the thinnest points.