Affordable Christening Medals

An affordable christening medal, without giving up on gold

A tight budget doesn’t mean you have to give up on genuine gold jewellery. An affordable christening medal is most often achieved through a choice of gold purity: 9 carat gold (375/1000) brings the price of the piece down to an accessible level while staying within genuine gold jewellery. This purity is by no means a compromise on quality. Worn daily, it lasts a lifetime, which matters for a piece of jewellery meant to accompany a child into adulthood.

9 carat gold or 18 carat gold: what the purity changes

The price of a medal depends on its fine gold content. In 18 carat gold, the metal is 75% gold, compared with 37.5% in 9 carat: the rest is an alloy of copper and silver, which strengthens the piece against everyday knocks. For the same design, the difference in gold weight between the two purities accounts for most of the price gap. Choosing 9 carat gold for a child’s first medal, before considering a heavier piece for a confirmation or a birthday, is a common approach among godparents who spread out their gifts over time.

A trade-off, not a sacrifice

This trade-off applies to every design, from the classic cross to the Virgin and Child, available in both 9 and 18 carat gold. The motif and its finish don’t depend on the purity: only the final weight, and therefore the price, does.

Choosing the right diameter to lower the price

Diameter matters as much as purity for the final price. For the same design, a 14 mm medal contains noticeably less material than a 22 mm one. A 16 mm diameter, close to the size of a small coin, suits both a newborn and a young child, and still leaves enough room on the back for a name engraving. Beyond 20 mm, the medal gains presence but also gold weight, and therefore price: a trade-off to weigh according to the godchild’s age and the budget available.

Other materials for an even tighter budget

Solid 925 silver and mother-of-pearl offer an alternative to gold for the tightest budgets. Mother-of-pearl, featured on a symbolic medal such as a tree of life or a dove, has become a popular choice in recent years for its iridescent sheen, offering a change from more traditional designs. For a very small budget, mini medals reduce the diameter even further, and therefore the weight, a sensible option for a godparent who needs to give several gifts in the same year.

Which design to choose without going over budget

The choice of design is independent of price: angel, cross, chrism or patron saint are all available in both 9 and 18 carat gold. The miraculous medal, depicting the Virgin Mary with open arms, owes its popularity to a specific event: her apparition to Catherine Labouré in 1830, which sparked its widespread use in religious jewellery. For a name linked to a patron saint, saint medals cover the most sought-after figures, from Saint Christopher to Saint Therese, in both 9 and 18 carat gold.

The matching chain: a detail that matters over time

An affordable christening chain can be chosen in 9 carat gold, silver or gold-plated metal, but one criterion outweighs price: its weight must stay greater than that of the medal. A chain that’s too thin, worn with a pendant heavier than itself, will eventually break at the clasp or the jump ring before the child even grows up. For a child, length is generally between 40 and 45 cm, with a longer chain needing to be shortened so it doesn’t get in the way day to day.

Engraving, a common practice on the back of the medal

A christening medal is traditionally engraved on the back: the child’s first name, the date of the christening, sometimes both if the diameter allows. On a 14 or 16 mm design, the available space limits the engraving to a few legible characters, which often means choosing between the first name alone and the date alone rather than both. A diameter of 18 mm or more leaves more room for a full engraving, with first name and date on the same line.

When comparing designs, the most useful approach is to think in terms of three linked criteria: the gold purity, the diameter and the material of the matching chain. These three choices, combined according to the budget available, make it possible to find an affordable christening medal that remains a genuine gold piece of jewellery, built to last well beyond the day of the christening.

What makes a christening medal affordable without it looking cheap?

Price mostly follows metal weight and finish. A 14–16 mm silver-plated or sterling silver medal costs far less than 18k gold at the same size, yet keeps a crisp engraved relief. Look for solid backs rather than hollow stampings, and buy the chain separately. That is how a cheap christening medal for baby stays presentable for decades.

Which medal size should I choose for a newborn?

For a baptism at a few months old, 14 to 16 mm is standard: light enough to sit flat against the chest and safe under clothing. 18–20 mm suits a child who will wear it from age three or later, or a piece meant to be framed. Many parents choose a small baptism medal for newborn now and upgrade the chain at communion.

What is the difference between silver-plated and sterling silver medals?

Silver-plated means a brass or steel core covered with a thin silver layer; it costs less but the plating wears at the edges after years of contact. Sterling silver (925) is solid throughout, hypoallergenic for most skin, and can be repolished indefinitely. If you want a sterling silver christening medal engraved with a date, choose 925 — engraving cuts through plating.

How do I keep the medal from tarnishing?

Silver darkens through contact with air, sweat and perfume. Remove the medal before baths and swimming, wipe it with a soft dry cloth after wearing, and store it in a closed pouch rather than an open dish. A microfibre polishing cloth restores shine in a minute. This simple christening medal care routine avoids abrasive pastes that erase fine engraving.