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14k yellow gold, pink enamel, lab diamond

A client found a fairy pendant on Pinterest and wanted it recreated as her own, at a specific 1.5-inch size with a diamond accent and the wing color changed from blue-green to pink. She reviewed three sketch concepts before settling on her favorite, then approved the 3D render without any changes. When it arrived, she wrote simply: 'I do thank you...I'll be back.'

'I do thank you...I'll be back.' — on delivery

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For herself

Quick specs

Design type

Pendants

Primary Metal

Yellow gold 14k

Shape / Cut

Round

Primary Stone

Lab diamond

Accent Stones

None

Style

3D Art Deco Dragonfly Enamel Human figure

Design Complexity

Complex

Intent

Make Your Mark

Intent: Certainty

Medium

Size

Pendant approximately 1.5in length; chain 2mm width, 18in plus pendant drop.

How they made it distinctive

01
Enamel wing color changed from the original blue-green reference to a soft pink, at the client's specific request
02
Fully dimensional figure-and-wing sculpture rather than a flat or engraved rendering of the reference image
03
Single bezel-set diamond placed at the exact point where the wingtip meets the figure's arm, echoing the reference photo's accent placement
04
Leaf-vein etching pattern carried into the enamel to preserve the texture of the original inspiration image
05
Sized precisely to a 1.5-inch length specified by the client rather than a standard stock pendant size

How you'd make it yours

Stone: this piece uses a single lab diamond accent; a new commission could add a second stone or use a natural diamond for the same look at higher cost

Enamel color: this piece uses light pink; a new commission could use the original blue-green, a different solid color, or a gradient

Metal: this piece is 14k yellow gold; the same figural design works in 18k yellow gold or rose gold

Size: this piece is 1.5 inches; a new commission is sized to the wearer's preference

Chain: this piece uses a 2mm cable chain at 18 inches plus drop; length and gauge can be set differently 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

The wing color was changed from the original blue-green reference photo to a light pink enamel, per the client's request from the very first message. No other changes were made after the sketch and render stages — the third of three sketch concepts was chosen and carried through to the final piece without further revision.

Who this is for

This piece is for someone who found an image that captured exactly what they wanted and needed it translated into a real, wearable object rather than settled for something close. It suits a person drawn to figurative Art Deco style who has a clear preference — like a specific color change — and wants that preference carried through faithfully from sketch to finished piece.

How it's made

Once the sketch concept was approved, the design moved into a 3D digital model, which was used to produce a wax model on a 3D printer. That wax model was attached to a wax tree, invested in plaster, and fired in a kiln to burn out the wax and leave a hollow mold. Molten 14k yellow gold was then cast into the mold, cooled, and extracted for finishing. After casting, the figure and wings were cleaned and polished to bring out the dimensional detail in the fairy's form. The wings were then hand-finished with light pink enamel applied in a fine leaf-vein pattern to echo the original reference image. The single round lab diamond was bezel-set last, positioned where the wingtip meets the figure's arm, and the finished pendant was fitted to a 2mm cable chain sized to the client's preferred total length.

Key note

The enamel is applied after casting and polishing, since the wing color and vein pattern would be damaged by any later mechanical finishing work.

Pricing guidance

A dimensional figural pendant with hand-applied enamel and a single bezel-set diamond sits in the mid range for custom pendant work. Most of the cost comes from the sculptural modeling of the figure and wings and the hand enamel application, which is a separate finishing step from casting. Diamond size and metal karat are the main variables that shift the price from there.

Moves price up ↑

↑
Adding a second or third diamond accent along the wings
↑
Upgrading from 14k to 18k gold
↑
Enlarging the pendant beyond 1.5 inches, which increases metal weight and enamel surface area
↑
Using a natural diamond rather than a lab diamond
↑
Adding enamel detailing to both the front and back of the wings

Moves price down ↓

↓
Reducing the pendant to a flat or low-relief design rather than a fully dimensional figure
↓
Omitting the diamond accent entirely
↓
Using a thinner chain gauge
↓
Choosing a single flat enamel color rather than a shaded leaf-vein pattern
↓
Sizing the pendant smaller than 1.5 inches

Questions people ask

What is enamel on jewelry and how durable is it?

Enamel is colored glass powder fused to the metal surface under heat, producing a smooth, glossy, permanently colored finish. It is quite durable for normal wear but can chip if struck hard against a hard surface, so it is best suited to pendants and earrings rather than rings that see constant impact. Unlike plating, enamel does not wear away gradually with daily use — it holds its color well over years. If it is ever damaged, a jeweler can typically touch up or reapply enamel to the affected area.

Can you turn a photo or Pinterest image into a real piece of jewelry?

Yes, this is a common request and the process starts with a sketch phase where a few concept options are drawn based on the reference image and your description. Once you pick a favorite concept, it moves into a full 3D digital render for your approval before anything is cast. This lets you adjust colors, proportions, and small details before the piece is made, so the final result reflects your preferences rather than a literal copy of the reference.

What does a custom enamel pendant like this typically cost?

A dimensional figural pendant with hand-applied enamel and a diamond accent falls in the mid range for custom pendant work. The main cost driver is the sculptural modeling and the hand enamel finishing, both of which take real time regardless of metal choice. Adding stones, upsizing the piece, or moving to a higher gold karat all push the price higher from that baseline.

Is a lab diamond a good choice for a small accent stone?

Yes. Lab diamonds have the same hardness, brilliance, and chemical makeup as natural diamonds, so at a small accent size there is no visible difference. The main advantage is cost efficiency, which is especially useful when the diamond is a supporting detail rather than the focal point of the piece. A VS1 clarity grade, as used here, means the stone is eye-clean with no visible inclusions.

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

The design phase for a piece like this typically takes about a week, covering initial sketches and then a 3D render for approval. Once the design is approved and production begins, casting, enamel work, and stone setting usually take an additional four to six weeks. So the full process from first approval to a finished, shipped pendant generally runs five to seven weeks.

Can the pendant size or chain length be adjusted?

Yes, both are customizable on a new commission. Pendant size is typically specified in inches of total length, and chain length is chosen separately — you can specify whether you want the chain length to include the pendant drop or be measured independently of it. A 2mm cable chain, like the one used here, is a fine, everyday-weight option, though thicker gauges are available if a bolder look is preferred.

Can the enamel color be changed to something other than pink or blue-green?

Yes, enamel can be mixed to a wide range of colors, so the wing color on a piece like this is not limited to the two options discussed in this particular design. The main consideration is how a given color will read against the leaf-vein etching pattern and the yellow gold figure, so a jeweler can advise on which shades will show the detail most clearly. Lighter and mid-tone colors tend to show fine vein detailing better than very dark, saturated colors.

Does a dimensional pendant like this catch on clothing?

A fully three-dimensional figure does have more surface texture than a flat pendant, but the wings and limbs on a piece like this are kept close to the body of the design rather than extending outward as sharp points, which minimizes catching. It is best suited to being worn over clothing rather than layered under a fitted collar. Clients who wear dimensional pendants daily generally report no more catching than they'd expect from any pendant with raised detail.