Home Get Inspired Pendants Two-Tone Claddagh Shamrock Pendant — Large Cuban Chain Fit

A two-tone pendant on a gold chain featuring a yellow gold oval frame with a white gold or silver three-leaf shamrock made of heart shapes, resting above a yellow gold Claddagh hands-and-crown motif with a white heart at center.

Two-Tone Claddagh Shamrock Pendant — Large Cuban Chain Fit

Sterling silver, 14k yellow gold plating, rhodium plating

J. wanted a larger version of a Claddagh and shamrock design he had struggled to find anywhere near the size he pictured — big enough to anchor a Cuban link chain he already owned. He worked through sizing carefully with the team, measuring his own chain and clasp before settling on just under two inches, and asked that the back be finished flat so it wouldn't scratch him during daily wear. When it arrived, he wrote back: "Great Job! Thank you!"

'I love it!!!!' — on seeing the first render

'Yes, great Job! Thank you!' — on delivery

Start your project

Daily wear For himself Make Your Mark Cultural or heritage

Quick specs

Design type

Pendants

Primary Metal

Two tone

Secondary Metal

Yellow gold 14k

Primary Stone

No stone

Accent Stones

None

Style

Cultural heritage Heart Religios Symbolic

Design Complexity

Moderate

Intent

Make Your Mark Cultural or heritage

Intent: Certainty

High

Size

Pendant 2in x 1.5in; bail 0.75in; chain Cuban link compatible.

How they made it distinctive

01
Scaled up to nearly 2 inches specifically because the client couldn't find this design large enough anywhere else
02
Back finished flat and smooth after the client described being scratched by non-flat pieces in the past
03
Bail custom-proportioned to fit a Cuban link chain's clasp, which was wider than the chain itself
04
Two-tone finish separates the Claddagh frame from the shamrock hearts, giving each motif its own visual identity
05
Combines two distinct Irish symbols — the Claddagh and the shamrock — into a single pendant rather than using one alone

How you'd make it yours

Metal: this piece uses gold-plated silver; a new commission could use solid 14k or 18k gold for a longer-lasting finish

Size: this piece is sized near 2 inches for a Cuban chain; a new piece is sized to its own wearer and chain

Finish: this piece uses a two-tone plating split between the Claddagh and shamrock; a single-tone version is also possible

Engraving: the flat back on a new commission could carry a name, date, or short phrase

One of a kind: this exact pendant was sized and finished to one client's chain and preferences and is not reproduced — a new commission is an original piece inspired by this one, not a copy

Design changes made

The piece was scaled up significantly from standard pendant sizing to meet the client's specific size request, and the back was confirmed to be finished flat and smooth after he raised concerns about pieces that had scratched him in the past. Design matched the initial brief without major changes beyond sizing and finish confirmation.

Who this is for

This piece is for someone who has a clear picture of a design they love but can't find it in the scale they want. It's especially right if you wear a thick chain and need a pendant proportioned to match it, and if you've been bothered by pendants with unfinished, scratchy backs before.

How it's made

Once the two-tone design was approved, the team built a 3D model and printed a resin version on a 3D printer to confirm proportions before any metal was committed. The resin was attached to a wax tree, invested in plaster, and fired in a kiln to burn out the pattern, leaving a hollow mold. Molten silver was then cast into the mold under pressure for the main body, producing the raw pendant. After casting, the piece was cleaned, polished, and finished with careful attention to the back surface, which was kept flat and smooth per the client's request to prevent scratching during wear. The shamrock hearts were plated in rhodium for a white-gold look, while the Claddagh frame, crown, and hands received a 14k yellow gold plating, creating the two-tone contrast visible in the finished piece. The wide, ribbed bail was sized specifically to fit over the client's Cuban link chain.

Key note

The bail was custom-proportioned after the client sent photos of his existing chain and clasp next to a ruler, since the clasp hardware was wider than the chain itself and would not have fit a standard bail.

Pricing guidance

A large two-tone medallion-style pendant like this sits toward the lower-middle range for custom pendant work, since it uses plated silver rather than solid gold. Most of the cost comes from the size of the piece and the dual-plating process required to achieve the two-tone look. Scaling up a design significantly increases metal weight and finishing time compared to a standard-sized pendant.

Moves price up ↑

↑
Increasing the pendant size further beyond 2 inches, which adds significant metal weight
↑
Upgrading from gold-plated silver to solid 14k or 18k gold
↑
Adding gemstone accents to the shamrock or Claddagh heart
↑
Requesting a solid gold bail rather than plated silver to match a heavier chain

Moves price down ↓

↓
Reducing the pendant size closer to 1.5 inches
↓
Using a single metal finish instead of a two-tone plating process
↓
Simplifying the bail to a standard size rather than a custom wide, ribbed design
↓
Omitting the flat-back finishing request and using a standard curved back

Questions people ask

How durable is gold plating on a silver pendant like this?

Gold plating on silver is a surface layer, typically a few microns of 14k or 18k gold over a sterling silver base. With daily wear, plating gradually wears thinner over time, especially at high-contact points like the back of the pendant or the bail where it meets the chain. Most plated pieces hold their color well for one to two years of regular wear before re-plating is worth considering. Re-plating is a standard service most jewelers can perform to restore the original finish.

Can a pendant like this be made in solid gold instead of plated?

Yes, a two-tone design like this can be made in solid 14k or 18k gold with a rhodium-plated section for the white-metal elements, since pure gold does not come in a bright white tone. Solid gold increases the cost significantly compared to gold-plated silver, largely due to the material cost of gold at this scale and size. The design itself — the Claddagh frame, hands, crown, and shamrock hearts — does not need to change to accommodate the metal upgrade.

What size pendant works best with a thick Cuban link chain?

A pendant needs a bail wide enough to accommodate the chain's width and, importantly, its clasp, which is often wider than the chain links themselves. For a substantial statement pendant to look proportionate on a thick Cuban chain, many people choose a pendant in the 1.75 to 2 inch range, scaled up from the more common 1 to 1.25 inch standard. The bail should be measured and custom-fitted to the specific chain rather than assumed from a standard size.

Can the back of a pendant be made flat so it doesn't scratch?

Yes, a flat, smooth back finish can be requested and is a standard finishing option on cast pendants. Pendants with raised or uneven backs, particularly cast pieces with dimensional fronts, can sometimes leave the back less finished since it isn't the visible side. Specifying this preference before production means the finishing team pays particular attention to smoothing the reverse surface during polishing.

What does a large custom medallion-style pendant typically cost?

A large pendant in gold-plated silver, scaled up significantly beyond standard sizing, sits toward the lower-middle range for custom pendant work. The primary cost drivers are the metal weight at this larger size and the two-step plating process needed for a two-tone look. Solid gold versions of the same design cost substantially more due to material cost alone.

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

The design phase for a pendant like this typically takes about a week, during which a 3D render is created and refined based on feedback. Once the design is approved, production — casting, finishing, and plating — generally takes three to five weeks. A resin or wax preview may be shared during production so the client can see the piece's form before final casting and plating.

What is the difference between a Claddagh design and a standard heart pendant?

A Claddagh is a traditional Irish design featuring two hands holding a heart topped with a crown, symbolizing friendship, love, and loyalty. It's a specific, recognizable motif rooted in Irish heritage rather than a generic heart shape. When combined with a shamrock, as in this piece, it layers two distinct Irish symbols into a single design rather than relying on one motif alone.

Can you create a custom pendant inspired by a design I found online but can't find in the size I want?

Yes, an existing design can be used as inspiration for an original piece, scaled to a custom size, as long as it isn't reproduced as an exact copy of a copyrighted or trademarked design. The process typically starts with a reference image and a clear size target, followed by a 3D render for approval before production begins. This approach is common for pieces where the exact size a client wants isn't available in ready-made jewelry.