Home Get Inspired Pendants Phoenix Pendant in White Gold with Diamonds & Gemstones

A white metal phoenix pendant with upswept wings on a chain, set with a gradient of red and yellow gemstones down the wing and small white diamonds near the head and top wing.

Phoenix Pendant in White Gold with Diamonds & Gemstones

$$$

14k white gold, lab diamonds, rubies, citrines, yellow sapphire

A client wanted a phoenix pendant modeled closely on a piece she already owned, with diamonds added and the bird's natural red-and-gold coloring captured in real stones instead of enamel. She worked through sterling silver and white gold options before choosing 14k white gold with lab diamonds, rubies, citrines, and yellow sapphire set through the wings and tail. When it arrived, she wrote that she loved it and was getting constant compliments — and came back asking for a second piece in the same metal.

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

'I got the pendant and I love it! I get tons of compliments!' — on delivery

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For herself Make Your Mark Identity expression

Quick specs

Design type

Pendants

Primary Metal

White gold 14k

Shape / Cut

Round

Primary Stone

Lab diamond

Accent Stones

Mixed colored Rubies

Style

3D Animals Symbolic

Design Complexity

Complex

Intent

Make Your Mark Identity expression

Intent: Certainty

Medium

Size

Pendant 40mm length.

How they made it distinctive

01
Fully sculpted 3D phoenix form rather than a flat or relief design, giving the wings and tail real dimension
02
Red-to-gold color achieved through a graduated sequence of rubies, citrines, and yellow sapphire instead of enamel, so the color is permanent
03
Lab diamonds traced specifically along the head and leading wing edge to highlight the bird's silhouette
04
Sized to 40mm to closely match a reference piece the client already owned and loved
05
Chose 14k white gold with lab-created stones over sterling silver with CZ for a longer-lasting finish

How you'd make it yours

Stone type: this piece uses lab diamonds, rubies, citrines, and yellow sapphire; a new commission could use natural stones or a different color gradient entirely

Metal: this piece is 14k white gold; the same sculptural design works in yellow gold, rose gold, or sterling silver

Size: this piece is 40mm; a new commission can be scaled larger or smaller based on the wearer's preference

Stone placement: the graduated gradient currently runs through the wings and tail; a new piece could concentrate stones in just one area for a simpler look

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 client initially asked about enamel to capture the phoenix's red and yellow coloring, then chose to use colored gemstones instead for a more dimensional, textured look across the wings and tail.

Who this is for

This piece is for someone drawn to symbolic, nature-inspired design who wants real gemstone color rather than a painted or enameled surface. It's especially right for anyone who already has a design they love and wants it reimagined with finer materials and added detail.

How it's made

Once the design was approved, the pendant was first printed as a wax model using a 3D printer, then attached to a wax tree and set in a flask. The flask was placed in a kiln to burn out the wax, leaving a hollow mold, and molten 14k white gold was cast into that mold under pressure. After cooling, the raw casting was removed from the mold and prepared for finishing. The cast piece was cleaned, polished, and refined to bring out the sculpted layering of the wing and tail feathers. Lab diamonds were then hand-set along the head and the leading wing edge, while rubies, citrines, and yellow sapphires were set in a graduated sequence through the lower feathers to recreate the phoenix's natural color transition without relying on enamel fill.

Key note

The red-to-gold color gradient across the wings and tail is achieved entirely through the sequence of different colored gemstones rather than enamel, so the color will never fade or chip with wear.

Pricing guidance

A dimensional pendant of this complexity — a fully sculpted bird form with diamonds and multiple colored gemstone types set throughout the wings and feathers — sits toward the higher end for custom pendant work. Most of the cost comes from the hand-setting labor required for the graduated multi-stone layout and the 3D sculptural modeling, not from any single material. Metal choice and stone type are where the price moves most from there.

Moves price up ↑

↑
Upgrading from lab diamonds to natural diamonds throughout the design
↑
Increasing the size of the pendant beyond 40mm, which increases both metal weight and stone count
↑
Using natural rubies and sapphires instead of lab-created or more affordable alternatives
↑
Adding diamonds or stones to both the front and back of the pendant
↑
Choosing platinum instead of white gold for the base metal

Moves price down ↓

↓
Switching to sterling silver instead of 14k white gold
↓
Using cubic zirconia and garnet in place of lab diamonds and rubies
↓
Reducing the number of colored gemstones used in the gradient
↓
Scaling the pendant down to a smaller size with fewer total stones
↓
Limiting stone placement to a single area (such as just the head) rather than the full wing and tail

Questions people ask

Can you make a phoenix pendant with real stone color instead of enamel?

Yes. Rather than filling in color with enamel, a graduated sequence of different colored gemstones can be set directly into the metal to create a natural-looking color transition. This approach uses rubies, citrines, and yellow sapphires to move from red to gold across the feathers. The result is more dimensional than enamel and won't chip or fade with wear, since the color comes from the stones themselves rather than a surface coating.

What is the difference between lab diamonds and natural diamonds in a pendant like this?

Lab diamonds and natural diamonds share the same chemical composition, hardness, and visual brilliance — there is no difference visible to the naked eye. The distinction is origin: one is grown in a controlled lab environment, the other is mined. For a pendant with diamonds set along the head and wing edge, lab diamonds typically cost significantly less than natural diamonds of comparable size and clarity while looking identical.

How much does a custom sculptural pendant like this typically cost?

A fully dimensional pendant with multiple gemstone types set in a graduated pattern across sculpted wings and feathers sits toward the higher end for custom pendant work. The primary cost driver is the hand-setting labor for the multi-stone layout and the 3D modeling needed to sculpt the form, rather than any one material. Choosing a less expensive base metal or simplifying the stone placement are the two most effective ways to bring the cost down.

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

A piece of this complexity typically takes around five to six weeks from design approval to completion. The process starts with a 3D design and rendering stage, followed by a wax model print, casting in the chosen metal, and then hand-setting of all the gemstones. The multi-stone gradient setting adds time compared to a single-stone pendant because each stone is placed individually in sequence.

Can a pendant like this be made in sterling silver instead of white gold?

Yes, sterling silver is a common alternative base metal for a sculptural pendant like this, typically using cubic zirconia, garnet, citrine, and yellow sapphire in place of lab diamonds and rubies. The visual design and stone placement stay the same regardless of metal choice. Sterling silver will require more frequent polishing to maintain its shine compared to white gold, which holds its finish longer.

Does the size of the pendant affect how many stones can be set?

Yes, the overall size directly affects both the number of stones that can be set and the scale of the sculptural detail. A 40mm pendant allows for a full graduated stone pattern across the wings and tail feathers with room for the sculpted layering to read clearly. A smaller pendant would require either fewer stones or smaller stone sizes to maintain the same proportions.

What chain works best with a pendant like this?

A box chain in a matching metal is a clean option that won't compete with the sculptural detail of the pendant itself. The bail is sized to accommodate a standard chain width, so most conventional chain styles will fit without modification. A simple cable or box chain lets the pendant's dimensional form and the gemstone gradient remain the visual focus.

Can the gemstone colors be changed to match a different bird or design?

Yes, the same graduated multi-stone setting technique can be adapted to different color combinations depending on the subject. Blue sapphires and diamonds could create a different bird's coloring, for example, while keeping the same sculpted wing and feather structure. The stone-setting approach is flexible; it's the specific gemstone choices that change to match the desired color story.