Lion of Judah Cross Pendant — Two-Tone Sterling Silver & Gold
SKU: 3318
At 23 grams and 70mm tall, this pendant fills the space between your collarbones. The Gothic cross base is .925 sterling silver — dark, oxidized, heavy in the hand. The lion and crown sitting at its center are 14k gold-plated brass that catches warm light against the cooler silver frame. Two metals, two tones, and three Rasta-colored stones set into the ring the lion grips in its jaws. This is the kind of pendant that anchors a chain and pulls the eye down.
Built For
If you wear Rasta jewelry as a statement of faith — The Lion of Judah is Emperor Haile Selassie I's emblem, the conquering lion from the Tribe of Judah. This isn't a generic lion on a cross. The crown, the Rasta colors, the lion's posture — every element is specific to Rastafari iconography. Wearing it puts that heritage on your chest where it's visible.
If you want a heavyweight two-tone pendant — 23 grams at 37mm × 70mm. The gold lion and crown pop against the oxidized silver cross. The contrast isn't subtle — people notice the gold first, then the cross shape, then the colored stones. On a 3mm+ chain in the 22–26 inch range, it sits at mid-chest and stays put.
If you're looking for a gift that crosses traditions — This pendant layers multiple traditions into one piece. The cross is Christian. The Lion of Judah connects to both the Old Testament and Rastafari. The red, gold, and green stones represent the Ethiopian flag. It speaks to anyone who holds these symbols close — faith, heritage, and culture in a single casting.
Day-to-Day
The gold plating on the lion and crown has a warm, rich tone — noticeably different from the cool oxidized silver surrounding it. From arm's length, the two-tone effect is the dominant visual feature. The cross reads as a dark silver silhouette with a golden figure at its center.
Up close, you start picking out the finer work. The lion's mane is textured with individual curls carved into the brass before plating. The crown above has defined points and a woven band. The flared arms of the Gothic cross carry ornate surface detail that the oxidized finish highlights — raised areas bright, recesses dark.
The three stones in the lion's mouth ring are small but vivid. Red, gold, green — the Ethiopian flag sequence. They sit into the ring rather than protruding, so they don't scratch against your chest or catch on fabric.
At 70mm from crown tip to cross base — just under 3 inches — this is one of the larger pendants in the collection. You feel the 23 grams settle when you sit down. A sturdy chain handles it without issue. Anything thinner than 2.5mm will look mismatched against the pendant's scale.
The Details That Matter
What People Want to Know
Q: Is this a Christian or Rastafari pendant?
Both — and that's what makes it unusual. The Gothic cross is a Christian form. The Lion of Judah connects to the Old Testament's Tribe of Judah, and in Rastafari tradition it represents Emperor Haile Selassie I. The crown and Rasta-colored stones are specific to Rastafari iconography. The combination makes this pendant meaningful across both traditions rather than being locked to one.
Q: Will the gold plating wear off over time?
Gold plating over brass is more durable than plating over base metals — brass and gold bond well because they're similar alloys. With regular daily wear, expect the gold to hold for several years before showing slight wear at the highest contact points. The lion and crown are recessed within the cross frame, which protects them from direct abrasion against clothing.
Q: What do the three colored stones represent?
Red, gold, and green — the colors of the Ethiopian flag. In Rastafari tradition, red represents the blood of martyrs, gold represents Africa's wealth, and green represents the lush promised land of Ethiopia. They're set into the ring the lion holds in its jaws, making the flag symbolism part of the lion's own form rather than a separate element.
Specs vs Reality
| Technical Detail | What It Actually Does for You |
|---|---|
| .925 Silver + 14k Gold Brass | Two-tone contrast that draws the eye. Silver base darkens, gold center stays warm. |
| 23 Grams | Anchors on a chain. Settles at mid-chest and stays centered without spinning. |
| 37mm × 70mm | Nearly 3 inches tall. A statement piece that commands the neckline. |
| Gold-Plated Crown | King of Kings symbol at the top. Catches light first from any angle. |
| Rasta Color Stones | Red, gold, green — Ethiopian flag. Flush-set so they don't snag or scratch. |
| Gothic Cross Base | Flared arms with ornate detail. Oxidized silver provides the dark frame for the gold center. |
| Lion of Judah | Conquering lion with textured mane — Rastafari and biblical symbol in one figure. |
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For the same Rasta lion in a smaller, lighter format, the Rasta Lion Coin Pendant sets a brass lion inside a sterling silver coin frame with "One Love, Heart Vibrations" engraved around the edge — 15 grams and 34mm × 40mm for everyday wear.
If you want the Lion of Judah on a guitar pick instead of a cross, the Rasta Lion Guitar Pick Pendant puts the same lion and CZ Rasta stones into a pick-shaped .925 silver casting — 11 grams for musicians who carry their faith at sternum height.