Home Get Inspired Pendants Southern Cross Pendant — Recreated in Yellow Gold

A yellow gold cross-shaped pendant with pointed finial tips on each arm and a notched circular ring at the top, hanging from a cable chain against a marble background.

Southern Cross Pendant — Recreated in Yellow Gold

Gold-plated sterling silver

A client wanted to recreate a Southern Cross pendant she'd seen someone else wearing — a design original to the 1960s, rebuilt from a single photo and her own memory of its scale and detail. She asked for it ahead of a three-month trip to Africa, wanting the symbol with her while traveling through the southern hemisphere. When it arrived, she wrote: 'I have it and it is GORGEOUS!!! Exactly what I wanted!'

'Love it! Thank you!' — on seeing the first render

'I have it and it is GORGEOUS!!! Exactly what I wanted! Thank you so so much!' — on delivery

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Daily wear For herself Just because Recreate What Mattered Lost or stolen piece

Quick specs

Design type

Pendants

Primary Metal

Gold plated silver

Primary Stone

No stone

Accent Stones

None

Style

Cross Religios Retro Symbolic Vintage

Design Complexity

Moderate

Intent

Recreate What Mattered Lost or stolen piece

Intent: Certainty

High

Size

Pendant approximately 2–2.5 inches long; circular top element approximately 18mm (nickel-sized) diameter.

How they made it distinctive

01
Recreated from a single photo and personal description of a pendant originally made in the 1960s, with no physical original to reference
02
Open circular top element sized specifically to match the client's memory of a nickel-sized detail
03
Pointed, spike-like cross arms rather than a smooth traditional cross shape, matching the original design's distinct silhouette
04
Sized at 2 to 2.5 inches to read as a visible statement piece rather than a delicate accent
05
Approved on the first render with no revisions, a sign the recreation matched the client's memory closely

How you'd make it yours

Stone: this piece has no stone; a new commission could add accent stones set into the circular top or along the arms

Metal: this piece is gold-plated sterling silver; the same design works in solid 14k or 18k gold for a longer-lasting finish

Size: this piece is 2–2.5 inches; a new commission is sized to the wearer's own preference

Dimensionality: this piece uses flat cut-out detailing; a new commission could use raised, sculptural elements instead

Engraving: the back of a new pendant can carry a short inscription

One of a kind: this exact pendant was recreated for one client from her own memory and reference photo, and is not reproduced — a new commission is an original piece inspired by it

Design changes made

Design matched the initial brief without major changes.

Who this is for

This piece is for someone who has seen a specific design somewhere else and wants that exact symbol rebuilt, not a generic version of it. It suits someone who ties a piece of jewelry to a specific place or chapter in their life, like wearing a meaningful symbol while traveling to a place connected to it.

How it's made

Once the client approved the photorealistic render, the design team printed a wax model of the pendant using a 3D printer. That wax model was attached to a tree and invested in plaster, which was then fired in a kiln to burn out the wax and leave a hollow mold. Molten 14k yellow gold-plated sterling silver was cast into the mold under pressure, producing the raw pendant, which was shared with the client as a resin photo before the final cast. After casting, the piece was cleaned to remove investment residue from the mold, then polished to bring up the finish across the open circular element, the tapered spike-like arms, and the central diamond intersection. Because the design uses cut-out and openwork sections rather than a solid plate, extra care was taken polishing the inner edges of the circle and the narrow points at each arm tip before the gold plating was applied as the final step.

Key note

The pendant's open circular top and narrow tapered arm tips required hand-finishing before plating, since cut-out sections are harder to polish evenly than a solid surface.

Pricing guidance

A mid-sized gold-plated silver pendant with cut-out detailing like this sits toward the lower end of the custom pendant range. Most of the cost comes from the 3D modeling needed to recreate a specific design from a photo reference, plus the casting and finishing of the openwork sections. Chain, plating thickness, and overall size are the main variables that shift the price from there.

Moves price up ↑

↑
Upgrading from gold-plated silver to solid 14k or 18k gold
↑
Increasing the pendant size beyond 2.5 inches, which uses more metal and more finishing time
↑
Adding stones set into the open circular element or along the cross arms
↑
Choosing a thicker or higher-karat gold chain instead of a standard plated option
↑
Adding engraving to the back of the pendant

Moves price down ↓

↓
Reducing the pendant size to under 1.5 inches
↓
Keeping the design as a flat cut-out rather than adding dimensional detail
↓
Choosing a thinner plating layer
↓
Sourcing a basic chain rather than a statement link style
↓
Simplifying the openwork detailing to fewer cut sections

Questions people ask

How long does gold plating on a pendant like this actually last?

Gold plating is a thin layer of gold applied over a base metal, in this case sterling silver, and it is not permanent. With regular wear, plating typically holds up well for one to two years before noticeable fading begins, especially in areas that rub against skin or clothing. Scuffs and scratches can appear sooner than expected, particularly in the first few weeks of wear, since the plated surface is softer than solid gold. Re-plating is a standard service most jewelers can perform when the finish starts to wear.

Can you recreate a vintage pendant design from just one photo?

Yes, a single clear photo combined with a detailed description of size and proportions is often enough to build an accurate 3D recreation. The design team builds a digital model and produces a photorealistic render for approval before anything is cast, so adjustments can be made before production starts. Minor differences in metal luster and color between the render and the finished piece are normal and expected. The more specific the description of scale and detail, the closer the recreation will match memory.

What does a custom gold-plated pendant like this typically cost?

A pendant of this size and openwork complexity sits toward the lower end of the custom pendant price range. The bulk of the cost is in the 3D design work and the finishing required for cut-out details, rather than the plating itself. Choosing solid gold instead of plated silver, adding stones, or increasing the size are the factors that would push the price meaningfully higher.

How durable is an open cut-out pendant design for daily wear?

Cut-out, openwork designs like this one are generally sturdy for daily wear but have thinner cross-sections at the narrow points than a solid pendant would, so they can be more prone to bending if caught or pulled. The tapered arm tips on a cross-style pendant are a typical thin point to be mindful of. Avoiding activities that could snag the open sections will help the piece hold its shape over time. A jeweler can usually reshape minor bends if they do occur.

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

A typical timeline runs about one week for the design and render phase, followed by three to four weeks for production once the design is approved. Production includes 3D-printing a wax model, casting it in metal, and then cleaning, polishing, and plating the final piece. Rush requests can sometimes be accommodated depending on the production schedule, though it is not guaranteed. Shipping typically adds another one to two days once the piece is complete.

Can I choose my own chain instead of the one offered with the pendant?

Yes, the pendant and chain are generally treated as separate decisions, and you can supply your own chain if you already have one you prefer. The bail on the pendant is sized to accommodate a standard chain, so most off-the-shelf chains will fit without modification. This also means the total cost can be adjusted by skipping the offered chain option. It is worth confirming the bail opening size if you plan to use an unusually thick chain.

What is the difference between solid gold and gold-plated silver for a pendant like this?

Solid gold is gold throughout the piece, while gold-plated silver has a sterling silver base with a thin gold layer applied over the surface. Plated pieces cost significantly less upfront but will show wear over time as the plating thins, especially at high-contact points. Solid gold costs more but does not fade or require re-plating. The choice typically comes down to budget and how long-term the piece needs to look brand new.

Can a design like this be made with more dimensional detail instead of a flat cut-out?

Yes, a flat cut-out design like this can be adapted into a more dimensional, three-dimensional version with raised or sculpted elements instead of flat cut sections. This generally adds to the modeling and casting complexity and increases the finishing time, since more surfaces need polishing. It also typically adds weight to the piece. The flat cut-out version shown here is a simpler and lighter alternative to a fully sculptural approach.