The christening medal is one of the oldest gifts in the Christian tradition: a jewel given to a child on the day of their baptism, most often by their godfather or godmother, and kept for a lifetime. Choosing the right medal comes down to a few simple questions: which subject, which material, which diameter, and which engraving. Here is what you need to know.
What is a christening medal?
A christening medal is a small precious medallion, usually round, bearing in relief a religious figure — the Virgin, Christ, a saint, an angel — or a Christian symbol. It is worn on a chain, around the neck, and symbolises the protection and faith passed on to the child. In France, this tradition goes back several centuries; the great medal manufactories, notably in Saumur from the eighteenth century, established the models still given today.
Which subject to choose?
This is the most personal decision. A few pointers:
The Virgin and Child is the most traditional subject for a christening: Mary holding the Infant Jesus, an image of maternal tenderness and protection. It suits every child. See for example our forehead-to-forehead Virgin and Child or the Maternal Love Virgin and Child.
The Virgin alone — in prayer, crowned, or in profile — is a classic, timeless choice: Rosa Mystica, Virgo Luminosa.
Christ — as a portrait, Sacred Heart, or the scene of the Baptism of Christ at the Jordan — is the choice most directly tied to the sacrament itself.
The Guardian Angel is the most universal subject: it requires no particular first name and speaks to everyone, believers or not.
A patron saint — Saint Christopher, the Holy Family, Saint John the Baptist, Saint George — links the medal to the child's first name or to a figure dear to the family.
A symbol — dove of the Holy Spirit, Chrisme, Jerusalem cross — offers a more understated medal, easily worn at any age.
Which material?
18-karat yellow gold (750/1000) is the reference material: unalterable, it passes through the generations without damage. It is the choice for a medal meant to be handed down.
Solid silver (925/1000) is struck under the same die as gold: the relief is identical, just as crisp. The medal is, however, thicker than its gold version. Rhodium-plated, silver does not tarnish and needs no particular care.
Gold plate — at Manufacture Mayaud, a base of solid gilded brass, made in France, coated with a 3-micron layer of 18-karat gold — gives the brilliance of gold at a lower cost, for a more contained budget.
Mother-of-pearl rimmed in gold or silver is an option apart: the subject is carved in natural jewellery-grade mother-of-pearl, which gives it the softness of a cameo. It is a very luminous, gentle medal.
Which diameter?
The 16 mm is the christening size: discreet on a newborn, it still fits into adolescence. The 18 mm is the classic size, the one worn for a lifetime, adults included. For mother-of-pearl medals, one chooses rather between 20 and 24 mm: the 20 mm for a child, the 22 mm for everyday wear, the 24 mm as a pendant.
Engraving: first name and date
Most medals have a smooth reverse, meant to receive an engraving: the child's first name and the date of the baptism, most often. This is what makes the medal unique and turns it into an object of memory. At Manufacture Mayaud, engraving is done in the workshop, and mother-of-pearl medals can also be engraved on the reverse.
How is a christening medal made?
Quality gold and silver medals are made by stamping: a blank of precious metal is struck under an engraved die, which imprints the relief in one go, then the medal is given a satin finish. It is an age-old technique, the only one that renders a face or a multi-figure scene with such crispness. The fineness of the medal depends entirely on the quality of the die — that is, on the work of the sculptor who engraved it. Manufacture Mayaud preserves and revives historic dies from the Mayaud manufactory of Saumur, founded in 1770, and creates new ones in its Paris workshop; every model is a registered design filed with the INPI.
When is a christening medal given?
On the day of the baptism, traditionally by the godfather or godmother. But it is also given at birth, at First Communion, or simply as a family jewel. Many parents choose a 16 mm medal for the christening, then a longer chain as the child grows.
Frequently asked questions
Must a christening medal be religious?
It is customary, but not compulsory. The Guardian Angel or a symbol such as the dove suit families who want a less explicitly religious jewel.
Can a 16 mm gold medal still be worn as an adult?
Yes, it remains wearable, but the 18 mm is the size truly kept for a lifetime.
Can a mother-of-pearl medal be engraved?
Yes, the reverse of the mother-of-pearl is smooth and takes an engraving like a metal medal.
Which chain to pair it with?
An 18-karat yellow gold trace chain for a gold or gold-rimmed mother-of-pearl medal; a solid silver trace or curb chain for a silver medal.