Home Get Inspired Rings Cat and Initial Ring in 14k Yellow Gold with Peridot Eyes

A 14k yellow gold ring shaped like a sitting cat with two small green peridot stones as eyes, connected to a small circle engraved with the letter R, set on a polished continuous band.

Cat and Initial Ring in 14k Yellow Gold with Peridot Eyes

14k yellow gold, peridot

R. wanted an everyday ring that combined her initial with a cat — rendered from her own rough sketch and reference photos. The design went through several rounds of practical adjustment to balance her vision with comfort, landing on a wider band to support both the cat figure and a smaller circle engraved with her initial. When it arrived, she wrote: 'I absolutely love it.'

'The design is very cute, I like it; and it's fine if there's some variation in the colors.' — on design approval

'I absolutely love it.' — on delivery

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Daily wear For herself Make Your Mark Identity expression, Personal symbol / signet

Quick specs

Design type

Rings

Primary Metal

Yellow gold 14k

Shape / Cut

Round

Primary Stone

Peridot

Accent Stones

None

Style

Abstract letter Animals Dangling Letter initial Minimal

Design Complexity

Complex

Intent

Make Your Mark Identity expression, Personal symbol / signet

Intent: Certainty

High

Size

Ring size 7 US (17.32mm). Band width 10mm.

How they made it distinctive

01
Two separate design elements, a cat figure and an initial circle, cast as one continuous piece with no gaps or moving parts
02
Band widened to roughly 10mm specifically to structurally support both raised elements for comfortable daily wear
03
Peridot chosen and kept as the eye stones even after a harder-stone alternative was suggested, honoring the client's original vision
04
Solid 14k yellow gold with no plating or mixed alloys, selected specifically because the client wears rings every day
05
Circle with the engraved R reduced in scale after the first sketch to improve wearability without losing the two-part design

How you'd make it yours

Stone: this piece uses peridot; a new commission could use a lab-created emerald or moissanite for a similar green tone with more daily-wear durability

Metal: this piece is solid 14k yellow gold; the same design language works in 14k white or rose gold

Letter: this piece carries the initial R; a new commission could carry any single letter or initial

Figure: this piece uses a cat; a new commission could use a different animal or symbol in the same sculptural style

Band width: this piece is widened to roughly 10mm to support two raised elements; a new design with a single element could use a narrower band

One of a kind: this exact ring 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 circle with the R was reduced in size and the band widened to roughly 10mm after the first sketch showed the original scale would be uncomfortable to wear — the client preferred keeping the two elements separate rather than merging them onto the cat's body.

Who this is for

This piece is for someone who wants an everyday ring that carries real personal meaning — not just a decorative shape, but their own initial paired with something they love. It's especially right if you've struggled with plated or mixed-metal rings wearing down from daily use and want something solid enough to never take off.

How it's made

Once the design was approved, a 3D-printed resin model was produced first — the exact physical shape of the ring before any metal was involved, shared with the client as a preview. That resin was then set into investment plaster and fired in a kiln to burn out the wax/resin, leaving a hollow mold. Molten 14k yellow gold was cast into the mold, then the raw piece was removed, cleaned, and prepared for finishing. After casting, the cat figure, the engraved circle, and the wide band were polished to a single continuous mirror finish, since the whole piece reads as one sculptural unit rather than separate zones. The two round peridot stones were then hand-set into small prong settings forming the cat's eyes, and the letter R was engraved into the small circle before final polishing.

Key note

The band was deliberately widened to roughly 10mm during the design phase specifically to give the cat figure and the separate initial circle enough structural support to be cast as one continuous piece with no open ends or moving parts.

Pricing guidance

A sculptural figural ring like this, combining two dimensional design elements on a widened band, sits in the mid range for custom gold rings of this complexity. Most of the cost comes from the 3D modeling and hand-finishing needed to support two separate raised elements on one band, rather than from the stones themselves. Metal choice and band width are the biggest variables from there.

Moves price up ↑

↑
Using 18k gold instead of 14k for a higher gold content
↑
Adding more stones or upgrading to diamonds instead of peridot
↑
Widening the band further to support larger or heavier design elements
↑
Adding more surface detail or texture to the cat figure
↑
Using a harder, more expensive stone that requires specialized setting

Moves price down ↓

↓
Simplifying to a single design element instead of two connected pieces
↓
Choosing a narrower band where the design allows it
↓
Using lab-created stones or a less expensive gemstone than peridot
↓
Reducing the number of engraved details
↓
Choosing sterling silver instead of 14k gold

Questions people ask

Is peridot a durable stone for a ring you wear every day?

Peridot sits at about 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs hardness scale, which makes it softer than sapphire or diamond. It holds up reasonably well in small accent settings like eyes on a figural design, especially when the stones are protected by surrounding metal. For someone who is consistently hard on their hands, a lab-created alternative like emerald or a harder stone can be substituted for better daily durability. Regular wear can cause more visible wear over years compared to a harder gem, but it is a realistic choice for everyday jewelry with reasonable care.

Can you make a ring with 14k solid gold and no plating?

Yes, solid 14k gold with no plating and no mixed alloys is a standard option for custom rings. Plated pieces use a thin gold layer over a different base metal, which can wear through with constant daily use, while solid 14k gold keeps its color and finish because the gold is part of the metal all the way through. This option typically costs more than plated alternatives because of the gold content, but it holds up significantly better for rings worn every day without being removed.

How do you make a ring with two separate connected design elements?

A ring with two dimensional elements, like a figure and a separate engraved shape, is typically designed as one continuous cast piece rather than assembled from parts. The band usually needs to be made wider than a simple ring to physically support both raised elements without thin, fragile connection points. The whole design is modeled digitally first, refined through sketches and renders, and then cast as a single unit so there are no gaps, moving parts, or weak joints.

What does a custom figural gold ring like this typically cost?

A custom ring combining a sculptural figure and a separate engraved element in solid 14k gold generally falls in the mid range for custom jewelry of this complexity. The price is driven mainly by the modeling and finishing work required for multiple raised design elements, plus the gold content of a wider-than-standard band. Simpler single-element designs or smaller stones would bring the cost down from there.

How long does it take to make a custom ring from a sketch?

The process usually starts with a rough technical sketch based on the client's description and reference images, which takes about one to two weeks to finalize. Once the sketch and then the 3D render are approved, production typically takes another three to four weeks, including casting, stone setting, and finishing. Total turnaround from first sketch to a finished ring is usually around five to seven weeks depending on design complexity.

Will the gold karat be stamped on a custom ring?

Yes, custom gold rings are typically stamped with a hallmark indicating the karat, such as 14K, as a standard part of the finishing process. This stamp confirms the metal content and is usually placed on the inside of the band where it is not visible during normal wear. It is a standard practice across fine jewelry, not an optional add-on.

Can a wide band ring like this still feel comfortable to wear every day?

A wider band, often in the 10mm range, is sometimes necessary to structurally support raised design elements like a figural shape, but comfort depends heavily on how the inside of the band is finished. A rounded, polished interior edge rather than a flat or sharp one makes a significant difference in everyday comfort. Ring size and finger shape also affect how a wide band feels, so getting an accurate size measurement before production is important.

Can you use a different stone instead of peridot for the same design?

Yes, the eye-stone setting in a design like this can accommodate a range of small round stones, including lab-created emerald, moissanite, or other green gems with more durability than peridot. The setting style stays the same regardless of which stone is chosen, so the swap does not require redesigning the piece. This is a common substitution for clients who want the same green color but with a harder, more daily-wear-resistant stone.