Home Get Inspired Pendants St. Thomas Map Pendant in Solid 14k Gold

A round 14k yellow gold pendant with a ridged edge, engraved with the silhouette of St. Thomas island and the text 'ST. THOMAS V.I.', hanging from a curb-link chain.

St. Thomas Map Pendant in Solid 14k Gold

$$$

14k yellow gold

A returning client wanted a solid gold rebuild of a pendant design he already had, honoring St. Thomas, V.I. with an island outline on one side and a palm tree on the other. He'd planned to go with a gold-plated version to manage cost, but switched to solid 14k gold once he realized he'd be wearing it every day and didn't want the plating to wear down. When it arrived he wrote: 'It's beautiful. Thank y'all again so much!'

'This looks really cool. I think I'm definitely ready to move forward!' — on seeing the first render

'It's beautiful. Thank y'all again so much!' — on delivery

Start your project

Daily wear For himself Recreate What Mattered Upgrade from cheap original

Quick specs

Design type

Pendants

Primary Metal

Yellow gold 14k

Primary Stone

No stone

Accent Stones

None

Style

Coin medallion Cultural heritage Map state Word text

Design Complexity

Moderate

Intent

Recreate What Mattered Upgrade from cheap original

Intent: Certainty

High

Size

Pendant approximately 25mm diameter (1in circumference), 12.7mm thick (0.5in). Chain: 1.6mm width, 20in length, curb style, large lobster clasp.

How they made it distinctive

01
Two-sided design carries an island outline and place name on one face and a palm tree on the other, doubling the finishing work of a single-sided pendant
02
Solid 14k yellow gold chosen over a gold-plated build specifically because the client wears it every single day
03
Larger lobster clasp fitted in place of a standard size for easier one-handed daily fastening
04
Ribbed coin-style border and matte background field create contrast against the polished raised motifs
05
Curb chain selected after comparing render images against a box-link alternative

How you'd make it yours

Design theme: this piece is engraved with a specific island outline and palm tree — a new commission could feature any place, symbol, or motif meaningful to the wearer

Metal: this piece is solid 14k yellow gold — the same design works in 18k yellow gold, white gold, or rose gold

Chain style: this piece uses a curb chain — a new piece could use a box, cable, or figaro chain instead

Clasp: this piece uses an upgraded larger lobster clasp — a standard size or a different clasp style is also available on a new piece

Pendant sides: this piece is two-sided with a different motif on each face — a new commission could be single-sided to reduce finishing complexity

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 client requested a larger lobster clasp in place of the original's smaller version for easier daily use, and switched from a gold-plated build to solid 14k yellow gold after weighing daily wear against long-term plating durability. He also chose a curb chain over a box-link option after comparing render images of both.

Who this is for

This piece is for someone who wants a specific place or memory represented in a piece they can wear without thinking twice about it — in the shower, at the beach, every day. It's especially right if you already have a design you love and simply want it rebuilt in a material that will actually hold up to constant wear.

How it's made

Once the design was approved, the team built a 3D CAD model of the two-sided pendant, which was used to calculate the metal weight and finishing labor before any gold was committed. From that model, a wax pattern was produced and invested in plaster, then burned out and cast in solid 14k yellow gold — producing both pendant faces and the ribbed coin-style border in a single pour. After casting, the pendant was cleaned up and the raised outline, lettering, and palm tree motif were polished to a bright finish while the surrounding background field was left with a matte texture for contrast. The bail was finished to fit a 1.6mm curb chain, and a larger lobster clasp was fitted to the chain per the client's request for easier daily fastening.

Key note

The matte background field and the polished raised motifs are finished as two separate steps in sequence, since polishing after matting would erase the contrast the two-tone finish depends on.

Pricing guidance

A two-sided solid gold coin pendant with a matching chain sits toward the higher end of the mid range for custom pendant work, since it requires roughly double the finishing and casting attention of a single-sided design. Chain length, width, and clasp style add to the total separately from the pendant itself. Metal choice — solid gold versus a plated build — is the single biggest factor in the final cost.

Moves price up ↑

↑
Choosing solid 14k or 18k gold instead of a gold-plated silver build
↑
Adding a second engraved or sculpted side rather than a single-sided design
↑
Upgrading to a thicker or longer chain
↑
Adding a security clasp feature or a heavier-gauge bail
↑
Increasing the pendant's overall diameter or thickness

Moves price down ↓

↓
Choosing a gold-plated silver build instead of solid gold
↓
Reducing the design to a single-sided pendant
↓
Shortening the chain length or using a thinner gauge chain
↓
Using a standard lobster clasp instead of an upgraded larger clasp
↓
Simplifying the border detail from a ribbed coin edge to a plain edge

Questions people ask

How durable is a solid gold pendant compared to a gold-plated one?

Solid 14k gold carries its color and finish all the way through the metal, so it doesn't wear thin the way a plated piece can. Gold-plated silver has a thin layer of gold over a silver base, and that layer gradually wears down with daily contact, especially at high-friction points like the bail or edges. For a piece worn every day, solid gold holds its appearance far longer without needing re-plating. The tradeoff is that solid gold costs more upfront than a plated equivalent of the same design.

Can a two-sided pendant have a different design on each face?

Yes, a two-sided pendant can carry a completely different design on each face, as this one does — an island outline and lettering on one side, a palm tree on the other. Both faces are modeled together in the 3D design phase so the proportions and thickness work as a single cohesive piece rather than two flat plates joined together. The main consideration is overall thickness, since more detail on both sides adds a bit more weight and material cost. Most two-sided designs run in a similar cost range to a detailed single-sided pendant with added labor for the second face.

What does a custom two-sided gold pendant with a chain typically cost?

A two-sided solid gold coin pendant with a chain generally falls toward the higher end of the mid-range for custom pendant work, since it involves more finishing labor than a single-sided design. The chain itself is priced separately based on length, link style, and clasp choice. Solid gold versus a plated build is the single largest cost driver on a project like this. Exact pricing depends on the final 3D model once the design is finalized.

Why would someone choose a bigger lobster clasp instead of the standard size?

A larger lobster clasp is easier to grip and operate one-handed, which matters for a chain that's fastened and unfastened often. Standard lobster clasps on narrow chains can be small and fiddly, especially for daily wear. A larger clasp keeps the same secure locking mechanism while making the day-to-day act of putting it on and taking it off simpler. It's a small functional upgrade rather than a design change to the pendant itself.

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

The design phase for a custom pendant like this typically takes about a week, during which a 3D render is produced and refined based on feedback. Once the design is approved, production usually takes another three to four weeks to complete. Chain selection can happen at any point before final production, though confirming it earlier keeps the timeline on track. The full process from deposit to shipping generally runs around five to six weeks total.

Can you recreate a pendant design I already own or have a photo of?

Yes, recreating an existing pendant design from reference photos is a common request, and the process starts with those images to build a 3D model that matches the original as closely as possible. Small details like clasp size, chain style, and metal type can all be adjusted from the original during the design phase. The finished piece is built new from the approved 3D model rather than copied directly from the original object. Minor differences between the reference and the final piece are normal, especially in fine surface texture.

Is a curb chain or a box chain better for a pendant like this?

A curb chain has flattened, interlocking links that lie smooth against the skin and tend to read as a slightly more classic, substantial look. A box chain has a distinct square-link profile that's very durable and resistant to kinking or twisting, which some wearers prefer for daily use. Both are strong, everyday-appropriate choices for a pendant of this weight. The choice mostly comes down to personal preference in how the chain looks and feels rather than one being more durable than the other.

Can a gold pendant like this be worn every day, including around water?

Solid 14k gold holds up well to daily wear and incidental water exposure, such as washing hands or getting caught in light rain. It is not marketed as fully water-resistant, since there's no special coating involved — it's solid metal all the way through, so there's no plating layer to wear away. Chlorinated pool water and saltwater can dull the finish over time with repeated exposure, so rinsing after swimming is a reasonable precaution. Overall, solid gold is one of the more water-tolerant choices compared to plated alternatives.