FAQ and guides
Our guides
Everything you need to know before choosing a medal, written and sourced by Manufacture Mayaud.
- How to choose a christening medal — subject, material, diameter, engraving: the complete guide.
- Find the patron saint medal by first name — Christopher, Michael, John the Baptist, George, Joseph, Joan of Arc: their story and their medal.
- Virgin Mary medals — Heart of Mary, Rosa Mystica, Virgin at prayer: the great Marian iconographies of the collection.
- The Miraculous Medal: history, symbols and meaning — the rue du Bac, 1830, the meaning of each symbol and how to choose yours.
- Christening identity bracelet in gold or silver — plate shapes, sizes, engraving: choosing a baby bracelet well.
- First Communion, profession of faith, confirmation: which jewellery to give? — cross, medal, dove: the piece for each step and how to choose it.
- Who gives the medal, and who gives the chain? — the godparent tradition, its variations, and how to match the chain to the medal.
- How to choose a christening chain — material, link, gauge and length: the four criteria of a chain that lasts.
- Gold, silver, gold plate or mother-of-pearl: which material to choose? — durability, care and use of each material.
- A history of the christening medal in France — from pilgrim badges to the Miraculous Medal, from Saumur to today.
- Cathedral rose windows as medals — Notre-Dame, Chartres, Strasbourg, the Sainte-Chapelle: when Gothic light becomes a jewel.
- The symbols of religious medals — Chrisme, dove, lamb, lily, star, shell: an illustrated glossary.
- Luxury baptism medals and communion crosses — materials, subjects, engraving and worldwide shipping: the guide for giving an authentic French-made piece from anywhere in the world.
- 18-karat gold christening medals in Paris — the maker's mark, the Paris-Saumur journey, and why choose the excellence of Manufacture Mayaud.
- The Occitan cross: history and meaning — the Toulouse cross, its twelve pommettes, and why it is wrongly called the Cathar cross.
Frequently asked questions
Choosing a medal
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.
Who gives the medal, and who gives the chain?
In the most widespread custom, the godmother gives the medal and the godfather the chain; the reverse also exists depending on the family. It is a custom, not a rule. Read the guide.
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.
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. For an 18 mm medal, a gauge of 1.3 to 1.6 mm and a length of 40 or 45 cm. Read the guide.
Communion and confirmation
Which jewellery to give for a First Communion, a profession of faith or a confirmation?
A cross for the communion and the profession of faith, a dove medal or a bolder cross for the confirmation. Read the guide.
Materials
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.
Engraving
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.
Can a rose window medal be engraved?
Yes for mother-of-pearl versions, whose reverse is smooth: first name and date, done in the workshop. No for openwork versions, which have no solid reverse.
Can a Miraculous Medal be engraved?
No: its back is entirely taken up by the monogram and the twelve stars. Read the guide.
Rose windows
Mother-of-pearl or openwork gold: which to choose?
Mother-of-pearl gives the white light and softness of a cameo; openwork gold or silver gives the real transparency of the tracery. Both take up exactly the same design.
Does my cathedral's rose window exist?
The collection today includes many cathedrals and basilicas. If yours is not among them, write to us: a rose window can sometimes be made to order.
Patron saints
How do I find the patron saint of a first name?
Most Christian first names correspond to a saint celebrated on a specific day of the calendar. Read the guide to discover the saints available in our collection.
Ordering from abroad
Do you ship internationally?
Yes: Manufacture Mayaud ships from Paris to many countries worldwide. See our guide to choosing a luxury baptism medal or an 18-karat gold communion cross.