Christening Medal: How to Choose It and at What Price

A christening medal is chosen once and kept for a lifetime. It is the only piece of jewelry a child receives before knowing what jewelry is, and one they will rediscover as an adult.

“You do not choose a christening medal for the baby being baptized, but for the adult they will become.”

It is best not to rush the decision. Here is how to decide: the metal, the motif, the size, the chain, the engraving, and above all, who is offering it, because tradition already answers part of the questions.

Who offers the medal?

This is the first question, and it simplifies everything else.

By tradition, the medal is offered by the godfather and godmother. As for the chain, it falls to the other: if the godfather offers the medal, the godmother offers the chain, or vice versa. It is a way of including both in the same gift.

This custom has a practical consequence: if you are a godfather or godmother, you do not have to choose the chain, and vice versa. Agree on it before purchasing so that the metal matches on both sides.

Grandparents often gift the ID bracelet, a classic companion to the medal. This gives everyone a distinct role without overlap.

Nothing requires you to follow this exact division, but it resolves the question of “who buys what” before even discussing the model.

Yellow gold, white gold, or silver?

The choice of metal is a commitment, as a medal is worn for years.

18-carat yellow gold is the traditional and most common choice. It does not oxidize, almost never causes allergies, and maintains its shine without maintenance. It is the safe bet.

White gold appeals for its contemporary look, but it requires re-rhodium plating every few years to maintain its whiteness. On a children’s medal rarely worn on a daily basis, this is not a major concern.

9-carat gold costs less, but contains more alloy metals: it can tarnish slightly and scratches more easily. Adequate for a tight budget.

Silver is an economical and pretty option, but it darkens over time and requires regular cleaning. For a piece of jewelry meant to weather the years in a box, gold remains the more carefree choice.

The advice that matters: match the metal of the medal with that of the chain and the future ID bracelet. A yellow gold medal on a silver chain is simply not done.

The motif: religious or secular

A christening is religious, but the medal no longer has to be pious.

Classic religious motifs:

• The Virgin Mary, the most widespread, often in profile. Our Lady of Lourdes and the Madonna and Child are the most requested.
• Christ or a cross, more understated, timeless.
• The guardian angel, appreciated for its gentleness, bordering on both the religious and the symbolic.

Secular motifs, for a civil christening or a non-practicing family:

• The tree of life, a symbol of growth and roots, highly sought after today.
• Celestials: moon, star, sun, for protection and the future.
• Animals: dove, bird, bee, for gentleness and lightness.
• Initials or a first name alone, for a completely personal medal.

There is no wrong choice. A secular medal is passed down just as easily as a religious one, and nothing prevents gifting a Virgin Mary for a civil christening if the family holds to it by tradition.

Size: neither too big nor too small

A christening medal is measured in millimeters of diameter.

• 14 to 15 mm: the classic baby size, proportioned for a child’s neck.
• 16 to 18 mm: a good compromise that still looks lovely as the child grows.
• 20 mm and above: reserved for medals worn later, at communion or adolescence.

The trap: buying too big “so that it lasts.” A 20 mm medal on a baby looks disproportionate in photos. It is better to choose the right size now, even if it means gifting a larger medal at communion.

The weight follows the diameter. A 15 mm 18-carat gold medal weighs about 2 to 3 grams, which accounts for part of the price.

The chain: length and durability

The chain is chosen to match the medal, and its length depends on age.

• 38 to 40 cm for a baby and young child.
• 42 to 45 cm for an older child.

Opt for a durable link (cable chain, curb chain) rather than a very fine chain that snaps at the first snag. The clasp must be secure: a quality spring ring, not a simple hook.

A child’s medal is not meant to be worn while sleeping or playing. Many parents store it away and only bring it out for special occasions, until the child is old enough to wear it safely.

Engraving: what to inscribe on the back

This is what turns a medal into a unique keepsake. The back is engraved almost every time.

Classically, what is inscribed:

• The child’s first name
• The date of the christening (or birth)
• Sometimes a short word: a godfather/godmother's initial, a small message

Two pieces of advice. Check the engraving turnaround time before buying: some houses require one to two weeks, which matters if the christening is approaching. And keep the engraving on the back understated: an overloaded medal loses its finesse.

Engraving is offered directly upon ordering at most jewelers, including Histoire d’Or and Marc Orian.

The budget

A christening medal spans a wide price range, depending on the metal, size, and jeweler.

• Silver: starting around thirty euros, chain included for simple models.
• 9-carat gold: starting from 50 to 80 € for the medal alone.
• 18-carat gold: the heart of the market, from 80 to 250 € depending on the diameter and the motif's craftsmanship.
• Jeweler pieces or hand-engraved items: beyond that, up to several hundred euros.

The chain is additional: expect 40 to 150 € in gold depending on length and link style.

A point of reference: for a generously sized 18-carat gold medal with its chain, the total usually hovers around 150 to 300 €. This is a gift kept for a lifetime, which justifies the investment, and precisely why it is shared among the godfather, godmother, and grandparents.

You will find a wide selection of christening medals at Histoire d’Or and gold medals at Marc Orian, in both religious and secular styles.

Where to buy it

Three avenues, depending on what you are looking for.

Mainstream jewelers (Histoire d’Or, Marc Orian): wide selection, customization available, accessible prices, return policy. The easiest option for a first purchase.

Specialized jewelry houses (Augis, Arthus Bertrand, Aismée): artistic medals, antique or designer motifs, standout pieces. More expensive, but unique.

Family jewelry: if a medal is passed down in the family, having it engraved or remounted on a new chain is the most beautiful option. A jeweler can take care of this.

Whatever you choose, purchase early enough for the engraving, and check the return policy in case the size is not quite right.

In a nutshell

The christening medal follows a tradition that simplifies the choice: the godfather or godmother gifts it, the other gifts the chain, and the grandparents gift the ID bracelet. For the rest, 18-carat yellow gold remains the safe bet, a size of 15 to 18 mm suits a child, and the back is engraved with a first name and a date. A gift chosen once that spans a lifetime.

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