A chai pendant carries the Hebrew word chai, spelled with the letters chet and yud, which means life. In Jewish numerology those two letters add up to 18, which is why the number appears throughout Jewish life, from charitable gifts given in multiples of 18 to toasts of l'chaim, to life. Worn as a pendant, chai is a quiet statement of identity, vitality and pride.
Who wears a chai pendant
Chai pendants are worn by men and women alike, and they are one of the most given pieces of Jewish jewellery. Common occasions include a bar or bat mitzvah, an 18th birthday, a wedding, a graduation or a moment when someone wants to carry their identity with them. Many chai pendants are passed down, which is worth keeping in mind when you choose one: the piece you buy today may be worn by a grandchild.
Solid gold, vermeil or silver
The material decides how the pendant lives. Solid gold suits daily wear for decades and holds its value, which makes it the choice for an heirloom. Gold vermeil, a thick layer of gold over sterling silver, gives the same look for a lower price and suits regular wear with a little more care. Sterling silver is the accessible entry point and pairs well with mixed metal finishes. If the pendant is meant to be passed on, choose solid gold. If it is a first piece of Jewish jewellery or a gift where budget matters, vermeil offers the best balance.
What to look for
Look at proportion first: a chai pendant between 15mm and 30mm reads clearly without dominating the chest. Check whether a chain is included and what length it is, since replacing a poor chain often costs more than expected. Ask where the piece is made. A pendant made by a working jewellery quarter such as Hatton Garden in London comes with real accountability behind it. Finally, check the warranty and whether the piece is made to order, which usually signals it is not mass produced.
The Chai Life Pendant
Our own interpretation is the Chai Life Pendant, created with the artist Ben Rebuck and made in Hatton Garden, London. It measures 18mm by 26mm, and the proportions are deliberate: 18 represents chai, life, while 26 reflects the numerical value of the sacred name of G-d. It comes in solid 9k gold, 18k gold vermeil or sterling silver, with a 20 inch chain included, made to order with delivery in up to 30 days. Ben wrote about the family story behind the design on his Substack.
You can see the full range of our Jewish pieces in the Jewish Jewellery collection.
Caring for a chai pendant
Solid gold needs little more than a soft cloth and warm soapy water a few times a year. Vermeil prefers to be kept dry, so take it off for swimming and showers. Store the pendant on its own or in a soft pouch so the chain does not scratch the face of the piece.