Home Get Inspired Pendants Ten Commandments Pendant with Star of David in Gold

A yellow gold pendant shaped like two arched tablets engraved with Hebrew text, topped with a small cut-out Star of David, hanging from a thin cable chain against a wood surface.

Ten Commandments Pendant with Star of David in Gold

Gold-plated sterling silver

A client found a Ten Commandments pendant design online and wanted her own version made in gold. The original reference was large, so the design was scaled down to keep it wearable while keeping the full tablet text and the Star of David intact. She approved the render on the first pass, writing simply: 'This looks wonderful! Yes, let's proceed please.'

'This looks wonderful! Yes, let's proceed please.' — on seeing the first render

Start your project

Daily wear For herself Make Your Mark Cultural or heritage

Quick specs

Design type

Pendants

Primary Metal

Gold plated silver

Primary Stone

No stone

Accent Stones

None

Style

Cultural heritage Engraved Religios Star of David Symbolic

Design Complexity

Moderate

Intent

Make Your Mark Cultural or heritage

Intent: Certainty

High

Size

Pendant approximately 2in x 1.5in; chain 1.5mm x 36in.

How they made it distinctive

01
Scaled down from a larger reference design specifically to balance budget and wearability without losing the full tablet text
02
Star of David kept as an integral part of the piece's total height rather than omitted, per the client's specific request
03
Hebrew text engraved into both tablet faces after polishing, preserving crisp lettering
04
Enamel coloring intentionally dropped in favor of a plain polished finish for a cleaner look
05
Paired with a long 36-inch chain so the pendant sits as a statement piece rather than close to the neckline

How you'd make it yours

Metal: currently gold-plated sterling silver — a new commission could use solid 14k or 18k gold for permanence

Enamel: this piece has a plain polished finish — a new piece could add enamel fill to the engraving or background

Size: this piece is approximately 2in tall — a new commission could be made larger or smaller depending on preference

Chain: this piece uses a 1.5mm cable chain at 36 inches — a new piece could use a thicker chain or different length

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 pendant was scaled down from the original reference size (3-5/8in tall) to approximately 2in tall to fit the budget and reduce the metal needed, and the enamel coloring from the reference photo was dropped in favor of a plain polished finish. The client asked that the Star of David be kept as part of the overall height rather than omitted, so the tablets were sized to share the space with it.

Who this is for

This piece is for someone who wants a faith-forward design that reads first as jewelry and second as symbol — substantial enough to make a statement, not just a small charm. It's especially right for someone who found a reference piece they loved but wants it reworked to fit their own size and budget, rather than buying it as-is.

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 placed in a kiln to burn out the wax, leaving a hollow mold, and molten metal was poured into the mold under pressure. After cooling, the raw pendant was removed from its mold and prepared for the finishing stages, starting with cleaning the surface left by the casting process. The tablets and Star of David were polished to a bright finish, and the Hebrew text was engraved into both tablet faces as a distinct final step, since engraving after polishing keeps the lettering crisp and undamaged by any later buffing. The piece was then given a final inspection before the gold plating was set and the pendant was readied for its chain.

Key note

The resin model was shared with the client as a checkpoint before casting, giving a preview of the exact proportions the metal piece would take.

Pricing guidance

A gold-plated silver pendant of this size and detail level — a two-panel engraved design with a separate decorative element on top — sits toward the lower end of custom pendant pricing. Most of the cost comes from the metal volume needed for a piece this size and the engraving work on both tablet faces. Upgrading the base metal or adding enamel coloring are the two factors that move this kind of piece up in price most significantly.

Moves price up ↑

↑
Upgrading from gold-plated silver to solid 14k or 18k gold
↑
Adding enamel color fill to the engraved text or background
↑
Returning to the original larger size (3-5/8in) rather than the reduced 2in version
↑
Adding a two-sided design with engraving on the back as well
↑
Using a thicker chain (3mm+) instead of the delicate 1.5mm cable chain

Moves price down ↓

↓
Reducing the pendant height further, below 2 inches
↓
Omitting the Star of David element to simplify to tablets only
↓
Choosing a shorter chain length than 36 inches
↓
Using a plain polished finish with no engraving detail
↓
Selecting a simpler pendant outline without the arched tablet tops

Questions people ask

What is this pendant actually made of?

This piece is made in 14k yellow gold-plated sterling silver. The sterling silver base gives the piece structure and weight, while the gold plating provides the warm yellow color and shine. Gold plating is a surface layer, so it will gradually wear with daily contact, especially at points that rub against skin or clothing. Higher-karat plating and less frequent wear both extend how long the finish stays bright before re-plating is needed.

Will the gold plating wear off over time?

Yes, gold plating is a thin surface coating over the base metal, and it will wear gradually with regular wear, particularly in high-contact areas. How quickly depends on how often the piece is worn, exposure to moisture, and skin chemistry. Many wearers get a year or more of good color before noticing fading. Re-plating is a standard jewelry service when the time comes.

Can this design be made in solid gold instead of gold-plated silver?

Yes, a design like this can be made in solid 14k or 18k yellow gold rather than gold-plated silver. Solid gold costs more because of the material itself, since the entire piece is made of gold rather than a thin surface layer. The design, proportions, and engraving process stay the same regardless of which option is chosen.

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

The full process from approved design to finished piece typically takes around four to five weeks for production, after an initial design phase of roughly one to two weeks for the 3D render and any revisions. A resin or wax model is often shared partway through so the client can preview the proportions before the final metal casting happens. Shipping time is additional once the piece is complete and inspected.

Can the Hebrew text be engraved accurately from a reference photo?

Yes, text in Hebrew or other non-Latin scripts can be engraved from a clear reference image or document, though the source material should be reviewed carefully before the 3D model is finalized to avoid transcription errors. The engraving is applied after the piece is cast and polished, since engraving after the final polish keeps the lettering sharp. Clients are encouraged to double-check any script-based text for accuracy before approving the render.

Can I add color or enamel to a pendant like this?

Yes, enamel color fill can be added to an engraved pendant like this, typically to the recessed lettering or background areas for contrast. Enamel adds a production step and additional cost compared to a plain polished finish. It's a purely aesthetic choice — the structural design and engraving process are unaffected either way.

Can the pendant size be adjusted from what's shown here?

Yes, a design like this can be scaled larger or smaller depending on preference and budget, since the amount of metal used directly affects both the final size and the cost. A larger pendant uses significantly more metal and will cost more; a smaller one uses less. The proportions of the tablets, the Star of David, and the text all scale together to keep the design balanced at any size.

What kind of chain comes with a pendant like this?

A pendant like this is typically paired with a delicate cable chain, commonly around 1.5mm in thickness, in a length long enough for the pendant to sit as a statement piece rather than close to the collarbone. Thicker chains, from 2mm up to 4mm or more, are also available and change the overall feel from delicate to bold. Chain length and thickness can both be adjusted independently of the pendant design itself.