The Art and Craft of Making Coin Pendants

From raw materials in the Earth’s crust to jewelry store shelves, this is how we create a coin pendant.

We start with precious metal, mined or recycled. We prefer recycled gold and silver, which reduces your environmental impact and provides the same quality end product. Recycled metal is cleaned during the reclamation and refining process, making recycled silver and gold just as beautiful as it was fresh from the earth. When recycled gold and silver arrive at the Pendant and Ring workshop, it’s just as precious and workable as newly mined metal.

To create sterling silver, we combine pure silver with copper, in a precise ratio of 92.5% silver to 7.5% copper. This process is called alloying. We have to alloy the silver to strengthen it so it can withstand daily wear. It retains its beautiful color and shine because the ratio of copper to silver is so small.

Think of alloying as giving the silver a backbone while preserving its natural beauty. Gold is alloyed in a similar manner, but with varying amounts of silver, copper, or platinum, for example, 18k gold is 75% gold and 25% other metal.

Charles transforms sterling silver alloys into coin bezels and hammered rings by following his lists that detail meticulous steps. He has made many lists of steps for different items you can find in the shop. The lists are laminated and tacked to the walls in the workshop. Some steps along the way are the same for the creation of many jewelry items.

He starts by forming the metal, then heating and shaping it as needed. He uses traditional techniques that he learned from library books about jewelry history, archeological descriptions, old masters on YouTube, and the greatest teacher of all, Trial & Error. Ancient techniques and our collection of modern tools allow for the creation of the rings and pendants you see at Pendant and Ring.

Each piece requires careful attention to detail – from the initial shaping to the final polishing. No two antique coins are alike, and the bezels to hold them are handcrafted in the workshop.

Modern mints produce uniform coins, but ancient hammered coins are not so precise. The production method, and the passage of time have changed the shape of these coins. The bezels to hold these coins are handmade in the workshop.

The coin pendant necklaces blend history and artistry. These pieces transform coins into lasting symbols of style and personal expression. Can you imagine a historic touchstone of your very own?

Our handcrafted sterling silver and gold-filled coin pendants, make yesterday’s change into today’s treasure. Each piece tells its own story and adds an elegant touch to any outfit.

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