You’ve spent dozens of hours clearing rocks. Your parsnips are legendary. You finally got that iridium quality wine aging in the cellar, and more importantly, you’ve finally convinced a pixelated villager that you aren’t a total weirdo. But then it hits you. You want to get married, but you can't just pop the question with a diamond or a nice home-cooked meal. You need that elusive Stardew Valley mermaid pendant.
It's a weird tradition, honestly. In a world where you can fight slimes and talk to apple-shaped forest spirits, the gatekeeper of your romantic life is a soggy dude standing on a beach.
Getting the pendant isn't just about having the cash. It’s about timing, weather, and a bit of structural repair. Most players think they can just stroll onto the sand whenever they feel the "love is in the air" vibe, but the Old Mariner is picky. He doesn't show up for just anyone, and he definitely doesn't show up in the sun.
✨ Don't miss: How Do You Use a Minecraft Mod: What Most People Get Wrong
The Old Mariner and the Rain Problem
The Old Mariner is the only source for the Stardew Valley mermaid pendant. He’s a ghostly-looking fellow who hangs out on the far right side of the beach—the area past the wooden bridge. If you haven't fixed that bridge yet with 300 pieces of wood, you're out of luck.
He only appears when it’s raining. Not snowing. Not blowing debris in the wind. Just rain.
This creates a massive bottleneck in Winter. Since it never naturally rains in Winter in Pelican Town, you’re basically stuck waiting for Spring unless you’re a high-level crafter. To bypass this, you need a Rain Totem. It’s a bit of a "pro gamer move," but using a Rain Totem in Winter is the only way to force the Mariner out of hiding during the cold months. It feels a bit like cheating the system, but hey, love waits for no one, especially not the seasonal cycle.
Requirement Checklist: More Than Just a Pretty Shell
You can't just throw 5,000 gold at the guy and walk away. ConcernedApe (Eric Barone, the creator) built in some specific safeguards to make sure you're actually ready for commitment.
First, you need the first farmhouse upgrade. You need a kitchen. Why? Because apparently, your spouse refuses to live in a one-room shack where the bed is three feet from the shipping bin. You need space. You also need to hit 10 hearts with your chosen candidate. If you try to buy the Stardew Valley mermaid pendant while you’re still a "dating amateur," the Mariner will literally tell you that you aren't ready. It's a bit judgmental for a guy who spends his life standing in a downpour, but those are the rules.
- Heart Level: 10 Hearts (must be dating/given a bouquet).
- House Status: Must have the first upgrade (the one with the kitchen).
- Wallet: 5,000g.
- Location: The Tidal Pools (east of the bridge).
- Weather: Rain (or forced rain via Totem).
Interestingly, if you’re trying to marry another player in a multiplayer game, the Stardew Valley mermaid pendant is useless. You need a Wedding Ring instead, which is a whole different headache involving a recipe from the Traveling Cart. People often get these confused and waste a rainy day trying to find the Mariner when their real-life friend is the one they’re trying to woo.
Why Does It Have to Be a Mermaid Pendant?
The lore is thin but charming. In the world of Stardew, it’s an old tradition from the Fern Islands. Sailors would give these pendants to their beloveds. It’s a nice bit of world-building that moves the game away from standard "Western" tropes and into something a bit more coastal and mystical.
Some players get frustrated because they think they can find the pendant while beachcombing or fishing. You can’t. It doesn’t drop from treasure chests, and you won't find it in a garbage can (unlike some of the other weird stuff you find in Pelican Town). It is strictly a transaction with the ghost-man.
Common Mistakes and Glitches
I've seen people wait until the very last day of Fall to try and get married, only to realize the forecast says "Sunny" for the rest of the week. If you don't have the materials for a Rain Totem (Hardwood, Truffle Oil, and Pine Tar), you are genuinely stuck.
Another weird quirk? The Mariner won't show up during festivals. If it's raining but there's a festival happening in the main square or on the beach (like the Luau), he’s a no-show. He values his privacy, or maybe he just hates the smell of the Governor’s soup.
Also, don't try to buy a second one just to "stock up." Once you have one in your inventory, he won't sell you another. However, if you get divorced (which is a whole dark rabbit hole involving the Mayor’s manor and a lot of gold), you can go back and buy another one to start the cycle of heartbreak all over again.
The Big Wedding Payoff
Once you finally hand over that Stardew Valley mermaid pendant to your partner, the wedding is set for three days later. It’s an automatic cutscene. You don't have to plan anything. No catering, no guest list, no drama with Pierre or Morris. Just a nice ceremony in the square.
If you’re aiming for 100% completion or just want the comfort of a spouse who occasionally fixes your fences or gives you coffee in the morning, the pendant is your biggest hurdle.
Actionable Next Steps for the Aspiring Spouse
- Check your wood stash. If you haven't repaired the bridge on the beach yet, do it today. You need 300 wood. Without that bridge, you can't reach the Mariner, even if it's pouring.
- Monitor the weather report. Every single morning, check the TV. If you see rain in the forecast and you’re at 10 hearts with your partner, drop everything and head to the beach with 5,000 gold.
- Upgrade the house early. Robin takes three days to finish the kitchen upgrade. Don't wait for the rain to start before you talk to her; the Mariner won't sell to you if the construction isn't finished.
- Stockpile Truffle Oil. If you're in a "dry spell" during Summer or Fall, you'll need a Rain Totem. Getting a pig and an oil maker early saves you from the frustration of a sunny streak ruining your wedding plans.
Buying the pendant is a rite of passage. It marks the transition from "struggling farmer" to "settled professional." Just make sure you aren't wearing your copper pan on your head during the ceremony; those wedding photos stay on your save file forever.