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Sculptural Letter & Number Pendant in Polished Silver

Sterling silver

A client wanted a pendant combining a letter and a number — a personal combination that meant something to him, rendered as one connected design rather than two separate charms. He approved the first sketch and the render without any changes, and moved straight into production once the design was confirmed.

'Looks good, let's move forward!' — on seeing the first render

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For himself 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

Letter initial Word text

Design Complexity

Simple

Intent

Make Your Mark Identity expression, Personal symbol / signet

Intent: Certainty

Medium

Size

Pendant approximately 1 inch tall. Chain 20in x 1.6mm.

How they made it distinctive

01
Letter and number modeled and cast as a single continuous form rather than two separate charms joined afterward
02
Script-style T paired with a connected 15, giving the pendant a monogram feel rather than a generic initial charm
03
Polished sterling silver finish throughout, with no stones to keep the design clean and minimal
04
Compact one-inch scale makes it wearable as an everyday piece rather than a large statement pendant

How you'd make it yours

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

Size: this piece is about one inch; a new piece could be scaled larger or smaller depending on preference

Letter and number: this piece combines a T and 15; a new commission could use any other letter-and-number or letter-and-letter combination

Chain: this piece hangs on a 20-inch cable chain; a new piece could use a different length, width, or chain style

Engraving: the back of the pendant could carry a date or short inscription 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 a personal identity marker worn close to the chest — a letter and number that mean something specific to them, not a generic initial charm. It's especially right for someone who wants a clean, minimal pendant that reads as intentional and connected rather than two separate symbols stuck together.

How it's made

Once the design was approved, the pendant was 3D printed in wax and attached to a wax tree inside a flask. The flask went into a kiln, where the wax was burned out to leave a hollow mold in its place. Molten sterling silver was then cast into that mold under pressure, producing the raw pendant once it cooled and was removed from the mold. After casting, the piece was cleaned to remove any casting residue from the mold-making process, then polished to bring up the bright, mirror-like finish visible on the finished letter and number. Because the design has no stones, no setting work was required — the finishing passes were focused entirely on smoothing the connecting points between the T and the 15 so the two elements read as a single continuous form rather than two attached pieces.

Key note

The letter and number were modeled and cast as one continuous piece rather than two separate elements joined after casting, which is why the connection between the T and the 15 has no visible seam.

Pricing guidance

A small single-letter-and-number pendant in sterling silver with no stones sits at the lower end of the price range for custom pendants. Most of the cost is in the 3D design and casting work rather than materials, since silver and a stoneless design keep material costs low. Size and metal choice are what move a piece like this up or down from the baseline.

Moves price up ↑

↑
Upgrading from sterling silver to 14k gold or gold-plated silver
↑
Increasing the pendant size beyond one inch, which requires more material and a larger casting
↑
Adding stones or engraving to the letter or number
↑
Choosing a thicker or more decorative chain in a precious metal

Moves price down ↓

↓
Reducing the pendant to a smaller size than one inch
↓
Simplifying the design to a single letter or number rather than a combined piece
↓
Choosing a thinner, more basic chain rather than a chain in a precious metal

Questions people ask

Can you make a pendant with a letter and a number combined into one piece?

Yes, a letter and a number can be designed and cast as a single connected piece rather than two separate charms joined together afterward. This is done by modeling both elements together in the 3D design phase so the connection point is part of the original casting, not a solder joint added later. The result is a cleaner look with no visible seam where the two elements meet. This approach works well for personal combinations like initials paired with a meaningful number.

Is sterling silver durable enough for a pendant worn every day?

Sterling silver is .925 fine silver, meaning it is 92.5% pure silver alloyed with other metals for strength, and it holds up well to regular daily wear. It can tarnish over time with exposure to air and moisture, but this is easily reversed with a polishing cloth. It is softer than gold or platinum, so a design with fine or narrow elements benefits from occasional careful handling. For a pendant like this with no stones, there is nothing to worry about losing or loosening over time.

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

A small, stoneless silver pendant with a custom letter-and-number design falls at the lower end of the price range for custom jewelry. The cost is driven mainly by the 3D modeling and casting labor rather than material, since sterling silver is one of the more affordable metal choices. Pendant size, metal choice, and any added stones or engraving are what shift the price from there. A simple one-inch design like this is close to the most economical option in the custom pendant category.

How long does it take to make a custom pendant from scratch?

The full process from design approval to a finished, shipped pendant typically takes four to six weeks. The first week or so covers the sketch and 3D render, which the client reviews and approves before anything is cast. Once approved, production — 3D wax printing, casting, cleaning, and polishing — takes about four to five weeks. The client is updated with a photo of the resin or wax model partway through before the final metal piece is finished.

Can I choose my own chain for a pendant like this?

Yes, chain length and width are typically chosen separately from the pendant design itself, and the jeweler can offer a few chain options to pick from. If none of the offered options are quite right, the pendant can also be worn on a chain purchased elsewhere, since the bail is designed to fit standard chain widths. It is worth confirming the bail opening size if you plan to use a thicker chain than what was offered. Chain choice does not affect the pendant's own design or casting process.

Can a letter-and-number pendant be made in gold instead of silver?

Yes, the same letter-and-number design can be cast in 14k or 18k gold, gold-plated silver, or other metals instead of sterling silver. Switching to solid gold will increase the cost noticeably since gold is a significantly more expensive material than silver. Gold-plated silver is a middle option that gives a gold appearance over a silver base, though the plating will wear over time with regular use. The choice mostly comes down to desired color, budget tier, and how the wearer feels about plating maintenance.

Will the metal color in the render match the finished piece exactly?

The render is a close approximation but the actual finished metal can vary slightly in tone from what is shown on screen, since screen rendering and real metal reflect light differently. This is a normal part of the process and jewelers typically note this before production begins. For a polished sterling silver piece like this, the real difference tends to be minor — mostly in how reflective or bright the surface appears under different lighting. Any significant design elements, like the shape of the letter and number, will match the approved render exactly.