June 20, 2024 · By Rachel Dazey

Custom Jewelry Design Highlight: Heart Pendant

This custom designed heart pendant was a special project for me to take on. It was made for a mother whose daughter had recently gone through heart surgery, right after being born. Doctors noticed an abnormality on the baby's heart prior to birth and were able to prepare for immediate surgery following birth. Success was not certain, but hope was alive. Gratefully, the baby survived surgery and her father wanted to have a unique piece made to honor everything they had been through as a family to gift to the mother. He even brought me the anatomical heart diagrams they went over with their doctor in preparation for the procedure. I referenced the diagram quite a bit as I was designing.

This design began as a drawing and from there it was rudimentarily brought to life in a 3D model and print. I often make a disclaimer when I send 3D renderings to clients, as the pieces can seem rough and bulky. The image never translates the delicacy that will be present in the finished piece.

This heart concept pendant was cast in 18K yellow gold with a symbolic 14K rose gold accent piece where the scar will be on the heart. I designed a 6x4mm pear-shaped garnet where the abnormality in the heart was found and 3 sapphires on the left to symbolize 3 other family members.

It is such a honor to be trusted with the intimate stories of your life. Stories of love, overcoming, and hope inspire me to create pieces that will be passed down, like the stories of your lives, to future generations.

See more of our bespoke jewelry in our Custom Jewelry Archive.

You can schedule a design appointment for a custom project in person or virtually. I have designed jewelry for people all over the country. We take great care to ship overnight, insured, with signature required when clients send us material and when we overnight the finished product. The only downside is that I don't get to see their reaction when they see their vision come to life for the first time!