Home Get Inspired Pendants Reversible Zodiac Coin Pendant — Scorpio & Leo in 10K Gold

An oval 10K yellow gold coin pendant with a rope-twist border, featuring a 3D scorpion in relief on a matte sandblasted background on one side, worn on a cable chain.

Reversible Zodiac Coin Pendant — Scorpio & Leo in 10K Gold

10k yellow gold

A. wanted a pendant her partner could wear without worrying about losing it, after seeing how carefully he guards the zodiac pendant he's had since he was a baby. She designed a reversible coin pendant with his Leo on one side and her Scorpio on the other, so they'd both be with him. When it arrived, she wrote back: 'He loves it and wears it all the time!'

'Oh that's really nice! I love it! I hope he loves it too!' — on seeing the first render

'He loves it and wears it all the time!' — on delivery

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Christmas Gift for partner A Gift That Says Everything Just because

Quick specs

Design type

Pendants

Primary Metal

Yellow gold 10k

Primary Stone

No stone

Accent Stones

None

Style

Animals Coin medallion Matte finish Religios Symbolic Zodiac

Design Complexity

Moderate

Intent

A Gift That Says Everything Just because

Intent: Certainty

High

Size

Pendant approximately 0.75in (19mm). Chain 1.5mm width, 18in length.

How they made it distinctive

01
Reversible two-sided coin design lets the wearer show either the Leo or the Scorpio side, representing both partners in one piece
02
Sandblasted matte background chosen specifically to make the polished raised animal figures stand out clearly
03
10k gold selected over gold-plated silver so the piece can be worn daily without tarnishing concerns
04
Scale and coin format inspired directly by a family heirloom pendant the recipient already owns but is afraid to wear often
05
Twisted rope border added around the oval edge to frame both relief figures consistently on each face

How you'd make it yours

Metal: this piece is 10k yellow gold — a new commission could use 14k or 18k gold, or gold-plated silver for a different budget point

Stone accents: this piece is solid metal with no stones — a new piece could incorporate small gems on one or both faces

Border: this piece uses a twisted rope border — a new commission could use a plain or alternate edge treatment

Symbols: this piece pairs Leo and Scorpio — a new piece could use any other zodiac pairing or a single symbol

One of a kind: this exact pendant was designed for one couple's two zodiac signs and is not reproduced — a new commission is an original piece inspired by this one, not a copy

Design changes made

The piece was designed from the start as a two-sided reversible coin rather than a single-sided pendant, so both zodiac signs could be included without either one dominating. The client moved from considering loose gems to a solid metal design once she saw the cost difference, settling on the sandblasted matte background with polished raised figures to make both animals stand out clearly.

Who this is for

This piece is for someone who wants to wear a meaningful personal symbol every day without worrying about damaging or losing something irreplaceable. It's especially right for a couple who each have their own identity but want a piece that quietly carries both of them at once.

How it's made

Once the design was approved, the 3D model was printed in wax using the shop's 3D printer, then attached to a wax tree and set into a flask. The flask went into a kiln, where the wax was burned out to leave a hollow mold of the pendant. Molten 10k yellow gold was then cast into that mold under pressure, producing the raw piece before cleanup began. After casting, the pendant's rope border and both figures were cleaned and polished to a bright finish, while the flat background on each face was sandblasted to a matte texture so the raised scorpion and lion stand out in contrast. Both faces were finished identically in sequence so the piece reads cleanly no matter which side is worn facing out. No stone setting was required since the design relies entirely on the carved relief and surface contrast.

Key note

The two faces were deliberately given the same matte-background, polished-relief treatment so the pendant reads equally well from either side, since it's designed to be worn reversibly.

Pricing guidance

A reversible, double-sided solid gold coin pendant with dimensional relief carving on both faces sits toward the lower end of the mid range for custom pendant work. The main cost driver is the metal weight and karat, since a double-sided design uses significantly more material than a single-sided pendant of the same diameter. Finishing complexity from carving two distinct relief figures with contrasting matte and polished zones adds to the labor cost as well.

Moves price up ↑

↑
Upgrading from 10k to 14k or 18k gold increases material cost substantially
↑
Adding gemstone accents to either face, as originally considered, for setting and stone cost
↑
Increasing the pendant diameter beyond 0.75 inches adds more metal weight
↑
Requesting a solid (non-plated) heavier chain in the same karat as the pendant

Moves price down ↓

↓
Choosing 14k gold-plated sterling silver instead of solid 10k gold
↓
Designing the pendant as single-sided rather than reversible, halving the relief carving work
↓
Omitting the rope border detail in favor of a plain edge
↓
Reducing the pendant size below 0.75 inches

Questions people ask

Can you make a pendant with two different designs, one on each side?

Yes, a reversible or double-sided pendant is a common custom request. Each face is modeled and cast with its own relief detail, so both sides can carry a completely different design, like two different zodiac animals. This does add some cost compared to a single-sided pendant since both faces require their own finishing work. The bail is typically designed so the pendant can rotate or sit comfortably facing either direction.

What is a sandblasted finish and how does it hold up over time?

A sandblasted finish is a matte texture created by blasting the metal surface with fine abrasive particles, which scatters light rather than reflecting it like a polished surface does. It's commonly used as a background treatment to make polished raised details, like a carved animal, stand out in contrast. Over years of daily wear, a sandblasted finish can gradually pick up a slight sheen from skin contact and handling, but it holds its matte character far longer than a painted or chemically darkened finish. It can be re-sandblasted by a jeweler if the texture fades significantly.

Is 10k gold a good choice for a pendant worn every day?

Yes, 10k gold is actually one of the more durable gold options for daily wear because it has a higher proportion of alloy metals mixed in, making it harder and more scratch-resistant than 14k or 18k gold. It's also more affordable since it contains less pure gold by weight. The tradeoff is a slightly less rich color compared to higher-karat gold, though it still reads as warm yellow gold. For a pendant handled and worn often, 10k is a practical and long-lasting choice.

What does a custom zodiac coin pendant typically cost?

A solid gold, double-sided coin pendant with relief-carved zodiac figures sits toward the lower end of the mid range for custom pendant work. The price is driven mainly by the metal karat and weight, since a two-sided design requires more gold than a single-sided one of the same size. Adding gemstones or upgrading to a higher karat gold both increase the cost from there. A single-sided version in gold-plated silver would fall toward the lower end of custom pricing.

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

The design phase typically takes about a week from deposit to the first 3D render, during which you can review and request adjustments. Once the design is approved and production begins, casting and finishing usually take a few more weeks depending on the piece's complexity and the studio's schedule. A double-sided pendant with two carved figures takes somewhat longer to finish than a single-sided design because both faces need their own detailing work. Rush timelines around a specific date, like a holiday, aren't guaranteed but can sometimes be accommodated.

Can a zodiac pendant be made without any gemstones?

Yes, a solid metal design with no stones is a common and often more budget-conscious choice for a relief-carved pendant like this. The detail comes from the dimensional carving of the figure itself and the contrast between a matte background and polished raised areas, rather than from added gems. This also means there's nothing to risk loosening or falling out over years of wear. Gemstone accents can always be added to a similar design for a client who wants that extra detail.

Can you recreate an existing heirloom pendant in a new piece?

Yes, using photos and a detailed description of an existing piece, a design team can create a new pendant inspired by its scale, style, and proportions. The new piece won't be an exact duplicate since it's built from photographs rather than the physical original, but the overall look, size, and feel can closely match. This is a common way to get a wearable, everyday version of a design that someone already loves but is hesitant to wear often.

What's the difference between engraved and 3D relief detail on a coin pendant?

Engraved detail is cut into the surface of the metal, creating a recessed design, while 3D relief detail is raised above the surrounding surface, giving the image more depth and dimension. Relief carving, like the scorpion and lion on this pendant, tends to catch light differently and reads more sculptural up close. Engraving is often a bit more budget-friendly since it requires less material removal and modeling time. The choice usually comes down to the look the client wants and how much dimensional detail the design calls for.