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Raised Chinese Character Pendant in Sterling Silver

Sterling silver

A client came to us wanting a meaningful Chinese character turned into a solid, coin-like pendant rather than a thin or delicate piece. She moved from an engraved, enamel-filled design to a raised, double-sided version with softened edges once she saw the render, wanting it sturdy enough for daily wear. Months later she returned to commission a smaller quarter-inch version of the same design.

'It looks perfect.' — on seeing the first render

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Daily wear For herself Make Your Mark Cultural or heritage

Quick specs

Design type

Pendants

Primary Metal

Sterling silver

Primary Stone

No stone

Accent Stones

None

Style

Coin medallion Engraved Low-profile Word text

Design Complexity

Moderate

Intent

Make Your Mark Cultural or heritage

Intent: Certainty

Medium

Size

Pendant 12.7mm diameter (0.5in); overall length with bail approx. 25.4mm (1in). Chain 22in, complimentary silver chain included.

How they made it distinctive

01
Raised (not recessed) Chinese character chosen specifically for a more sculptural, tactile presence over a flat engraved look
02
Identical raised design repeated on both faces, rather than a plain back, for symmetry from any angle
03
Deliberately substantial, thick casting requested instead of a thin or hollow disc, so the piece reads as solid and weighty
04
Edges on the border and character strokes specifically softened and rounded by hand finishing per client request
05
No enamel fill used, keeping the piece monochrome sterling silver rather than high-contrast

How you'd make it yours

Character or text: this piece uses a single Chinese character; a new commission could use a different character, word, or symbol

Finish: this piece has no enamel fill; a new piece could add black enamel to make the raised design stand out more

Metal: this piece is sterling silver; the same raised coin design works in 14k gold or gold-plated silver

Size: this piece is a half-inch diameter; a new commission can be scaled larger or smaller

Reverse side: this piece repeats the same character on both faces; a new piece could carry a different design or date on the back

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 design shifted from a recessed engraving with an optional black enamel fill to a fully raised character with a raised border on both sides, per the client's preference after the initial options were presented. She also asked that all edges — the border and the character strokes — be softened and rounded rather than sharp, which was addressed in finishing.

Who this is for

This piece is for someone who wants a single meaningful symbol worn plainly, without stones or decoration competing for attention. It's especially right if you want something that feels solid and substantial in the hand rather than light and thin, and if you care more about how a design feels finished than how sharp it looks in a render.

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 sterling silver was then cast into the mold under pressure, producing the raw, solid pendant blank before cleanup began. After casting, the pendant was cleaned of investment material and the raised character and border on both faces were refined by hand to soften the crisp edges that are typical of a freshly cast piece. The whole pendant was then polished to bring up the finish on the raised elements and the smooth lip of the border, with a plain jump ring and bail attached to complete the piece before it was paired with a chain.

Key note

The edges on a freshly cast piece always look sharper than the final result because the wax model is viewed at many times actual size during design — the hand-finishing pass is what brings the soft, rounded edge the client asked for.

Pricing guidance

A solid sterling silver coin-style pendant with a raised, double-sided design sits toward the lower end of the price range for custom pendant work. Most of the cost comes from the metal weight needed for a substantial, non-hollow disc and the hand-finishing required on both raised faces. Adding chain, enamel fill, or additional engraving would move the price from there.

Moves price up ↑

↑
Upgrading from sterling silver to 14k gold or gold-plated silver for a warmer finish
↑
Adding black enamel fill to make the raised character stand out more sharply
↑
Engraving a different design or text on the reverse side instead of repeating the same symbol
↑
Increasing the diameter beyond half an inch, which adds metal weight and finishing time
↑
Adding a gemstone accent set into or alongside the border

Moves price down ↓

↓
Reducing the diameter to a smaller size, such as a quarter inch, which uses less metal
↓
Choosing a thinner, lighter-weight disc rather than a substantial thick one
↓
Leaving one side plain instead of raising the character on both faces
↓
Skipping the complimentary upgraded chain in favor of a simple basic chain
↓
Using a recessed engraved character instead of a raised relief design

Questions people ask

Can you make a pendant with a Chinese character on it?

Yes, a single Chinese character can be rendered either as a recessed engraving or as a raised relief design on the face of a pendant. Raised designs tend to have more presence and a tactile, sculptural quality, while recessed engravings can be filled with enamel for higher contrast. The character can be placed on one side only or repeated identically on both sides of the pendant. The exact stroke detail is confirmed with a 3D render before the piece goes into production.

How thick can a silver pendant be made?

A sterling silver pendant can be cast as a solid, substantial disc rather than a thin, hollow one — thickness is controlled during the 3D design phase based on the desired weight and feel. A coin-sized pendant around half an inch in diameter can be made with a noticeably solid, weighty presence similar to a small coin. The final weight depends on the diameter, thickness, and how much raised detail is on the surface. This is typically discussed and confirmed before the design is finalized.

What does a custom silver pendant like this typically cost?

A solid sterling silver coin-style pendant with raised detail on both sides sits toward the lower end of the price range for custom pendant work. The main cost driver is the metal weight for a solid, non-hollow piece plus the hand-finishing needed on raised design elements. Adding features like enamel fill, extra engraving, or a larger diameter would increase the cost from there. A gold-plated or solid gold version would also cost more than sterling silver.

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

The design phase typically takes about one week, during which a 3D render is created and refined based on feedback before anything is cast. Once the design is approved, production — casting, cleanup, and finishing — usually takes an additional three to four weeks. The full process from deposit to shipping is roughly four to five weeks total. Rush timelines are available in some cases if needed sooner.

Will the edges of an engraved or raised design look sharp or smooth?

Raw cast pieces often look sharper in a 3D render than they do in the finished product, because the design is typically viewed at many times its actual size during the approval stage. During finishing, the edges of raised or engraved elements are smoothed and rounded by hand. If a softened, rounded edge is important to you, it's worth mentioning explicitly during the design phase so the finishing team knows to prioritize it.

Can the back of a pendant have a different design than the front?

Yes, a pendant can be designed with different content on each side — for example, a symbol on the front and a date, name, or second design on the back. Alternatively, both sides can carry the same design for a symmetrical look, which is common with single-character pendants. This decision needs to be finalized before the 3D model is approved, since it affects the layout and casting process. Either option uses the same raised or engraved technique.

Can I get a smaller or larger version of the same pendant design?

Yes, the same design can be scaled up or down to a different diameter, such as moving from a half-inch pendant to a quarter-inch version. Scaling down reduces the metal weight and therefore the cost, while scaling up increases both. The level of detail that reads clearly at a smaller size may need slight simplification, which is something to discuss during the design phase. This is a common request for matching or companion pieces.

What kind of chain comes with a silver pendant like this?

Chain options depend on the jeweler and the specific order, but a simple cable chain in a complementary metal is a common default inclusion with a custom pendant. Chain length and thickness can usually be customized separately from the pendant itself — common lengths run from 18 to 24 inches. If you already own a chain you'd like to use, that can often be accommodated instead of ordering a new one. It's worth confirming the bail opening size to make sure your preferred chain thickness will fit.