Sugar Skull Pendant — .925 Sterling Silver with Green CZ Eyes
SKU: 3308
The Virgin Mary sits at the top of this sugar skull pendant — carved into the bail, looking straight out. Below her, a cross marks the forehead. Floral scrollwork wraps both temples. Two green CZ eyes stare back from bezel settings. This is a 22-gram .925 sterling silver Calavera pendant with gold-plated accents, rooted in Día de los Muertos tradition. Best for anyone who wants Day of the Dead jewelry that carries real cultural weight on a chain.
Built For
If you collect Día de los Muertos art — The Calavera detailing on this pendant follows traditional ofrenda imagery: forehead cross, petal-shaped carvings around the temples, and a Virgin Mary figure on the bail. The floral patterns aren't random decoration — they echo the marigold motifs you'd find on actual sugar skulls during the celebration.
If you wear heavy chains and need an anchor piece — At 22 grams and 22mm × 35mm, this pendant has the mass to sit properly on a Cuban or rope chain without flipping sideways. The 5mm bail fits chains up to about 4mm thick. It won't get lost against your shirt.
If you want two-tone metal that ages well — The gold plating sits on raised details — teeth, eye bezels, floral highlights. The sterling silver body darkens in the recesses over time. That contrast between warm gold and cool oxidized silver gets better with wear, not worse.
The Honest Take
The green CZ eyes are what register first when you hold the pendant flat in your palm. They flash a vivid emerald color even under indoor lighting — faceted stones, not flat cabochons. Under direct sun, the green shifts between deep forest and bright lime depending on how the pendant swings on the chain.
Flip it over. The back is smooth polished silver with a .925 stamp. No carving on the reverse — standard for pendants at this weight class, but worth knowing if both sides might show when you move.
The gold plating covers the surface details — floral petals, eye settings, accent lines on the teeth. Under warm light it reads as antique gold against cooler silver. After a few months of daily wear, the silver recesses darken while the gold areas stay bright. The skull gains more visual depth over time. That two-tone aging is the whole point of this finish.
Heads up: The bail opening is 5mm. That fits most standard chains up to about 4mm thick, but thicker links — Cuban chains over 5mm, for example — won't thread through. Measure your chain before ordering.
Under the Hood
Before You Buy
Q: Where does the Calavera tradition come from?
It comes from the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos — Day of the Dead. Families create decorated skulls to honor ancestors who've passed. The skull isn't morbid in this context — it's a celebration of life. The forehead cross and floral carvings on this pendant follow that same tradition.
Q: Will the gold plating wear off over time?
The gold sits on raised surface details — teeth, eye bezels, floral accents. With daily wear, you might see minor dulling after years, but the plating holds up well with basic care. Avoid harsh chemicals and silver dip solutions. A soft cloth keeps the gold looking warm.
Q: What kind of chain works best with a 22-gram pendant?
Something sturdy. A 3mm–4mm Cuban link, rope chain, or box chain in sterling silver handles the weight well. The 5mm bail accepts chains up to about 4mm thick. Thin chains under 2mm will bow — avoid those.
Q: Can I wear this in the shower?
A quick shower won't damage it, but chlorine and saltwater speed up tarnishing — especially on two-tone pieces where you want the gold-silver contrast to stay clean. Take it off before pools and the ocean. For daily showers, dry it after and you're fine.
At a Glance
You Might Also Want
The Sugar Skull Top Hat Pendant is a lighter, steampunk take on the Calavera — brass top hat and eyepatch on a 14-gram silver skull. Different mood, but they rotate well on the same chain.
For a smaller option with a different stone, the Sugar Skull Pendant with Blue Topaz weighs 10 grams and swaps the green CZ for a natural blue topaz eye. Same cultural roots, more discreet size.
Want the green-eyed Calavera on your finger instead? The Green-Eyed Sugar Skull Ring uses the same green CZ treatment and two-tone finish at 32 grams of sterling silver.