🔥 “I Just Wanted to Keep Him Close” — The Story Behind a Custom Moissanite Photo Pendant
It all started with a DM at 2:17 AM.
“Yo. Can y’all do a photo pendant? Round shape. I want it clean, iced, and real.”
His name was Jamal, from Charlotte, North Carolina.
The message was short, but something about it felt heavy.
🕊️ The Photo That Said Everything
We messaged back asking for more details.
He replied five minutes later and sent a photo.
It was a picture of him and his cousin Terrance. They were about the same age, standing in front of a Crown Fried Chicken, throwing up peace signs, laughing like they didn’t have a care in the world.
“He got shot last summer. That was the last pic we ever took.”
The message sat on the screen. We paused. Then replied:
“We got you, bro. We’ll make sure it shines right. He deserves that.”
📏 Step 1: Planning the Pendant
We hopped on a quick call with Jamal the next day. He had a vision:
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Round shape
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Full iced-out border with VVS moissanite
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High-res image in the center
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Silver base (“not gold, just pure silver—it feels right”)
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Back engraving: “Forever T”
We showed him some of our past moissanite photo pendant work. He replied instantly:
“Yeah, that one right there. That’s the vibe. But can we make it a little heavier? I want it to feel like it means something.”
We knew exactly what to do.
💎 Step 2: Building the Shine
This pendant may look simple to some—but trust, there’s nothing basic about doing it right.
🔘 The Base
We started with solid 925 sterling silver, casting a perfectly balanced round base, about 35mm wide. Enough space to hold the photo and let the stones dance.
💎 The Ice
We hand-set moissanite stones all around the frame—over 50 stones in total, each D color, VVS clarity, lab-grown and flawless.
If you’ve never seen moissanite hit under sunlight, you’re missing out.
It’s not just shine. It’s electric.
🖼️ The Image
We enhanced the photo slightly—cleared up the shadows, balanced the colors—and sealed it under scratch-resistant resin, so it wouldn’t fade or crack over time.
This wasn’t just a print. It was protected memory.
🔬 The Back
We engraved his cousin’s name and date, followed by one simple line:
“Forever T”
That was Jamal’s idea. Clean. Real. No extra fluff.
📦 Step 3: The Drop-Off
We sent him a few studio pics of the final piece before shipping.
His reply?
“Man… that’s him. That’s my dog. He look alive in that piece.”
He asked us to overnight the package. We did.
He sent a photo the next day—wearing the pendant on a 5mm silver Cuban, standing outside that same Crown Fried Chicken.
Same pose. Same peace sign.
“He riding with me now. Appreciate y’all, fr.”
💬 Why It Mattered
This wasn’t about jewelry.
This was about keeping someone close, when the world tried to take them away.
That’s the power of a custom moissanite photo pendant—it ain’t just about ice. It’s about what’s frozen in time.
At Black Soldier Designs, we know that behind every iced-out round pendant is a memory, a moment, a person you refuse to forget.
We build pieces that don’t just shine.
They speak.
💎 Why Moissanite?
Some people ask: “Why not diamonds?”
Here’s why Jamal—and so many others—choose moissanite:
| Feature | Moissanite | Diamond |
|---|---|---|
| Fire / Brilliance | Higher | Great |
| Ethical | Lab-created | Often mined |
| Cost | Lower (but still luxe) | 💰💰💰💰💰 |
| Match with Hip Hop Style | Perfect | Yes |
| Clarity | VVS | Variable |
Moissanite iced-out pendants give you all the shine, none of the guilt, and a way better price point. It’s the smart flex—and the realest tribute.
🛠️ Want One of Your Own?
Whether you’re memorializing a loved one, celebrating a moment, or just want something that’s 100% you, we got you.
We make:
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Custom moissanite photo pendants
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Round, square, heart shapes
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Engraved backs
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Sterling silver or gold base
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Any size, any story
📩 Hit us up to get started
💎 Explore our Moissanite Collection
🔥 See more custom work on Instagram
Let your pendant say what words can’t.