The Star of David, or Magen David, is the most recognised symbol of Jewish identity: six points formed from two interlocking triangles, read variously as protection, connection and belonging. Worn as a pendant it is both a personal statement and, done properly, a piece that lasts generations. This guide covers what to look for when you buy one in solid gold.
Why solid gold
Most Star of David pendants on the market are gold plated. Plating wears through with daily contact against skin and clothing, usually within a year or two, and cannot honestly be repaired. Solid gold is the same metal all the way through, so it can be worn every day, polished, repaired and eventually passed on. For a symbol people rarely take off, the material matters more than it does for occasional jewellery. In the UK, 9ct gold offers durability at the most accessible price for solid gold, while 18ct carries a richer colour and more weight.
Diamonds and lab grown stones
A diamond set Star of David catches light at a distance where a plain gold one reads as silhouette. Lab grown diamonds have made this affordable: they are chemically identical to mined stones, cost far less, and carry no mining question. Check the total carat weight is stated plainly, and whether the setting is engineered to sit flat, since a pendant that flips wears its back more than its front.
Size and how it sits
Around 11mm suits close, daily wear that sits near the collarbone and works under a shirt. Above 20mm the pendant becomes the outfit's anchor and suits a longer chain. Look for designs where the chain runs through the pendant itself rather than a bail, which keeps the piece flat against the chest, and check the chain is included in the same metal rather than sold separately.
Two ways we make it
Both of our Star of David pendants were created with the artist Ben Rebuck and are made in Hatton Garden, London, in solid gold with lab grown diamonds and the chain included. The Magen Lumière is the close wearing option: 11mm by 11mm in solid 9ct yellow or white gold, set with 0.20ct of baguette and round brilliant diamonds. The Magen Kesher is the statement: 23mm by 23mm in 9ct or 18ct yellow gold, set with 0.90ct of round brilliants, with the chain running directly through the curved form so it never flips. Both are made to order under our manufacturing warranty.
The full range sits in our Jewish Jewellery collection.
A note on gifting
Star of David pendants mark the same occasions as other Jewish heirloom pieces: bar and bat mitzvahs, weddings, births and anniversaries. If the pendant is a gift, solid gold with a stated carat weight and a proper warranty is the difference between a present and an heirloom.