The question of material is often the one that decides the choice of a christening medal — because it involves budget, durability and what one wishes to hand down, all at once. Here, material by material, is what you need to know to choose with full knowledge.
18-karat yellow gold: the material for handing down
18-karat yellow gold, assayed at 750/1000 (that is, 75% pure gold), is the reference material for christening medals. It does not oxidise, does not blacken, and is not altered by contact with skin or water: a gold medal worn for a lifetime keeps its brilliance and its relief. This is why it is chosen for a jewel meant to be handed down.
A well-made 18-karat gold medal weighs between 2.30 g in 16 mm and 2.90 g in 18 mm. Some models exist in an "Excellence" version, with a thicker blank (4.20 g in 18 mm): the relief stays the same, but the medal gains in body and presence. The satin finish, applied after striking, softens the reflections and brings out the relief.
Rhodium-plated solid silver: the same relief, a thicker medal
Solid silver, assayed at 925/1000, is the natural alternative to gold. The important point, often overlooked: a quality silver medal is struck under the same engraved die as the gold version. The relief, the crispness of the faces and details are therefore rigorously identical. What changes is the thickness: the silver medal is thicker than its gold version, which gives it more body in the hand — hence its weight of around 3.60 g in 18 mm.
Raw silver has one known flaw: it tarnishes on contact with air. This is why Manufacture Mayaud silver medals are rhodium-plated: coated with a thin layer of rhodium, a precious metal of the platinum family, which protects the silver from oxidation and gives it a bright, lasting white. A rhodium-plated silver medal does not blacken and requires no particular care.
Gold plate: the brilliance of gold, for a contained budget
Gold plate is a base metal coated with a thin layer of gold. Its quality depends entirely on two things: the base and the thickness of the plating. At Manufacture Mayaud, gold plate rests on a base of solid gilded brass, made in France, coated with a 3-micron layer of 18-karat gold. It is a good compromise for offering the look of gold at a more accessible price, notably for a birth or communion medal. It calls for more care than a solid metal: avoid perfumes, seawater and prolonged rubbing, which can wear the plating on the most prominent reliefs.
Mother-of-pearl rimmed in gold or silver: a medal apart
Mother-of-pearl is not a metal: it is a natural material, from the shell of certain molluscs, in which the subject is carved. The result is very different from a struck medal: the scene takes on the softness of a cameo, with a deep white light that no metal offers. The mother-of-pearl is then set in a rim of 18-karat gold or solid silver, bail included.
Two points matter in choosing a mother-of-pearl medal: the quality of the mother-of-pearl — it must be jewellery-grade, selected for the uniformity of its colour and the fineness of its grain — and the fact that it is natural, and therefore may show very slight variations from one piece to another. The rim itself has a polished finish. Diameters are larger than in metal: from 18 to 24 mm, the 20 mm suiting a child, the 22 and 24 mm for everyday wear or as a pendant.
Summary table
| Material | Durability | Care | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-karat gold | Unalterable | None | Handing down, lifelong daily wear |
| Rhodium-plated solid silver | Very good, does not tarnish | None | Daily wear, controlled budget |
| Gold plate | Fair | Precautions (perfume, seawater) | Birth, communion, small budget |
| Rimmed mother-of-pearl | Good (natural material) | Avoid prolonged contact with cosmetics, perfumes, etc. | Luminous medal, as a gift or for everyday |
Which material for which occasion
The choice of material often follows the occasion as much as the budget. For a christening, 18-karat gold remains the most frequent choice when the medal is thought of as a jewel to be handed down; rhodium-plated solid silver and gold plate offer the same look for a more measured budget, without losing any of the relief. For a communion, where the medal often comes with an engraving and a gift that is more symbolic than a family heirloom, gold plate is a common choice. For a birth, when several gifts are often combined — medal, ID bracelet, christening cup —, gold plate makes it possible to combine several pieces without multiplying the budget.
The engraved subject imposes no particular material: all our medals, Virgin and Child, patron saints, Guardian Angel or symbols, exist in each of the materials presented here. The choice therefore remains free, occasion by occasion.
How to choose, in practice?
For a medal meant to be worn for a lifetime and handed down, 18-karat gold remains the choice without regret. For the same relief, on a thicker medal and at a more accessible price, rhodium-plated solid silver is excellent. For a birth or communion gift on a more measured budget, gold plate. And for a medal that stands out by its light and softness, mother-of-pearl. To help you choose the subject itself, see our guide how to choose a christening medal, and for the chain to go with it, our guide how to choose a christening chain.
Frequently asked questions
Can 18-karat gold cause an allergy?
18-karat gold is very well tolerated. The rare allergies concern alloys containing nickel; French jewellery gold alloys contain none.
Does a silver medal blacken?
No: Manufacture Mayaud solid silver medals are rhodium-plated. Rhodium protects the silver from oxidation and preserves its bright white lastingly, with no care needed.
Does a silver medal have the same relief as gold?
Yes: it is struck under the same engraved die, the relief is identical and just as crisp. The only difference is that the silver medal is thicker.
Is mother-of-pearl fragile?
It withstands daily wear well. Above all, it should be spared prolonged contact with cosmetics, perfumes and other chemicals, which can alter its surface.
What budget should be planned for a christening medal?
The budget depends mainly on the material: gold plate is the most accessible option, rhodium-plated solid silver sits in the middle, and 18-karat gold remains the most expensive but the most durable choice. The diameter and weight of each variant, shown on our product pages, also make the price vary within a single material.