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Gold Claddagh Friendship Ring — Upgraded from Plated

14k yellow gold

A client owned a gold-plated Claddagh ring that matched one her closest friend wore in silver — but years of wear had left the plating tarnished and coppery. She wanted the same design rebuilt in solid gold so the color would last, and sent a reference photo along with the ring's approximate width. When it arrived, she wrote: 'I love it so much!' and came back soon after to commission the matching silver version for her friend.

'That looks wonderful thank you!' — on seeing the first render

'I love it so much!' — on delivery

Start your project

Daily wear For herself Recreate What Mattered Upgrade from cheap original

Quick specs

Design type

Rings

Primary Metal

Yellow gold 14k

Primary Stone

No stone

Accent Stones

None

Style

Antique Classic Twisted

Design Complexity

Moderate

Intent

Recreate What Mattered Upgrade from cheap original

Intent: Certainty

High

Size

Ring size 7 US (17.32mm). Band width 3mm.

How they made it distinctive

01
Solid 14k yellow gold chosen specifically to replace a gold-plated original that had tarnished and discolored with wear
02
Rope-textured band wraps the full circumference, matching the detail of the reference piece the client already owned
03
Claddagh design chosen to preserve the friendship-ring pairing with a friend's existing silver version
04
Band width kept narrow at approximately 3mm to match the proportions of the original piece

How you'd make it yours

Metal: this piece is 14k yellow gold — the same design works in 10k gold, white gold, rose gold, or sterling silver

Band width: this piece is approximately 3mm — a new commission could be made wider or narrower

Band texture: this piece has a rope-twist pattern around the full band — a smooth or partially textured band is also possible

Stone: this piece has no stone — a small accent stone could be set into the heart on a new commission

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

Design matched the initial brief without major changes.

Who this is for

This piece is for someone who already loves a design they own but wants it rebuilt in a material that actually lasts — no more fading, tarnishing, or color change with daily wear. It's especially right for matching friendship pieces, where each person can choose their own metal while keeping the same meaningful design.

How it's made

Once the 3D design was approved, the ring 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 precise hollow mold of the Claddagh design. Molten 14k yellow gold was then cast into the mold under pressure, producing the raw ring once cooled and removed. After casting, the piece was cleaned and polished to bring out the dimensional detail of the crowned heart and clasped hands at the center. The twisted rope pattern running the full circumference of the band was polished to a bright finish to catch light evenly along its continuous texture, and the entire ring was given a final high-polish pass before inspection and shipping.

Key note

The rope-textured band pattern runs the full circumference rather than stopping at the sides, which required the wax model to carry consistent twist detail all the way around before casting.

Pricing guidance

A solid gold Claddagh-style ring with a textured rope band sits toward the lower end of custom ring pricing. Most of the cost comes from the gold content and karat selected, since the design itself — a single clasped-hands motif on a moderately detailed band — is a well-established casting pattern rather than a highly complex build. Karat choice and final metal weight are what move the price most from there.

Moves price up ↑

↑
Upgrading from 10k to 14k or 18k gold increases material cost
↑
Choosing a wider band (above 3mm) increases the metal weight and cost
↑
Adding a stone to the heart or band increases both material and setting labor
↑
Requesting platinum instead of gold significantly raises the base cost

Moves price down ↓

↓
Choosing 10k gold instead of 14k reduces material cost
↓
Narrowing the band width reduces metal weight
↓
Selecting sterling silver instead of gold substantially lowers the cost
↓
Simplifying the rope texture to a smooth band reduces finishing time

Questions people ask

What is the meaning behind a Claddagh ring?

A Claddagh ring features two hands clasping a crowned heart, a traditional Irish symbol representing love, loyalty, and friendship. The hands represent friendship, the heart represents love, and the crown represents loyalty. It's commonly given as a friendship ring, but is also worn as a wedding or engagement ring depending on how it's oriented on the finger. The design has been used for centuries and remains popular for both personal and gift pieces.

Will a solid 14k gold ring tarnish like a gold-plated one?

No. Gold-plated jewelry has only a thin layer of gold over a base metal, and that layer wears away with daily use, exposing the base metal underneath and causing discoloration or a coppery tarnish. Solid 14k gold is gold all the way through, so there is no plating to wear off and no base metal to show through over time. It will still need occasional cleaning and polishing to maintain its shine, but it will not tarnish the way plated jewelry does.

What is the difference between 10k and 14k gold?

The karat number refers to the percentage of pure gold in the alloy — 10k gold is about 41.7% pure gold, while 14k is about 58.3% pure gold. 14k gold has a richer, warmer yellow color and is generally considered the standard for fine jewelry in the US, while 10k is more affordable and slightly harder, making it more resistant to scratching. Both are durable enough for daily wear; the choice usually comes down to color preference and budget. Neither will tarnish or fade the way gold plating does.

What does a custom gold Claddagh ring typically cost?

A solid gold Claddagh ring with a moderately detailed band typically falls toward the lower end of custom ring pricing, since the design is a well-established pattern rather than a highly complex build. The main cost driver is the gold karat and total metal weight rather than labor-intensive custom detailing. Band width and karat selection are the two biggest variables in the final price.

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

The design phase typically takes about one week, during which a 3D render is created and refined based on feedback. Once the design is approved, production takes approximately two to three weeks, covering wax printing, casting, polishing, and finishing. Altogether, most custom rings like this are completed within about three to four weeks from deposit to shipping.

Can this ring be made in silver instead of gold?

Yes. The same Claddagh design with the twisted rope band can be cast in sterling silver instead of gold, which is a common choice for matching friendship rings where one person wants gold and the other prefers silver. Sterling silver will have a bright white tone rather than gold's warm yellow, but the detail and texture of the design translate well to either metal. Silver is also generally less expensive than gold, which is a common reason clients choose it for a matching piece.

Does the rope pattern on the band go all the way around?

On this design, yes — the twisted rope texture is cast continuously around the full circumference of the band, rather than stopping partway or only appearing on the front. This means the textured pattern is visible from every angle when the ring is worn. A smooth or partially textured band is also possible on a new commission if a different look is preferred.

Can a Claddagh ring be resized after it's made?

A plain or lightly textured band like this one can typically be resized within a standard range without disrupting the design, since the rope texture is consistent around the circumference rather than being concentrated in one spot. Larger resizes may require more significant rework. It's best to confirm your ring size as accurately as possible before production to avoid the need for adjustment later.