Angel christening medal
Angel christening medal: which design to choose
The angel medal is one of the most popular designs for a christening, alongside Virgin Mary medals and patron saint figures. The motif varies: a solitary angel with outstretched wings, a guardian angel holding a child close, or an angel with a dove, the dove resting in cupped hands as a symbol of peace. The choice mainly depends on the finish you want on the back of the piece: a profile sculpted in relief stands out more than a design engraved in intaglio, but generally weighs a few tenths of a gram more than a fine strike.
Diameter, weight and material: the practical criteria
A medal for a newborn should be chosen in a 14 or 15 mm diameter: beyond that, the piece weighs down the chain and tips over on the child’s chest. From around 3-4 years old, 16 or 18 mm remains comfortable; 20 and 22 mm suit a teenager or an adult reclaiming the medal from their own christening. In 18-carat yellow or white gold (750/1000), a 16 mm medal weighs on average between 1.5 and 2.5 grams depending on the thickness of the strike; in 9-carat gold (375/1000), the weight is similar but the price drops with the higher alloy content. Solid 925 silver and vermeil, silver plated with gold, offer a look close to yellow gold for a more accessible budget, with slightly lower wear resistance over the long term.
- 14-15 mm: birth and christening before age 2, on a fine chain
- 16-18 mm: children aged 3 to 10, with good legibility of the engraving
- 20-22 mm: communion, confirmation, or reclaimed in adulthood
Guardian angel, angel Raphael, angel with a dove: the design variants
In Catholic tradition, three archangels are named individually: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. The latter is associated with healing and travel, which explains why he often appears on medals given for a fragile or premature baby. The guardian angel, with no given name, remains the most popular motif because it carries a broader meaning: everyday protection, without reference to a specific biblical episode. The angel with a dove combines both symbols of peace and protection on a single face; it’s a frequent choice when the godmother or godfather wants a design that stays legible even at 14 mm, as the dove remains recognisable at small scale, unlike a detailed face which loses sharpness under 16 mm.
For a different name or design, Virgin and Child medals and patron saint medals cover other themes: Virgin and Child for the maternal image, a patron saint when the child already bears the name of a specific saint, such as Michael, Gabriel, Therese or Christopher. The Miraculous Medal, whose iconography dates back to the apparition to Catherine Labouré in 1830, remains a distinct choice: it depicts the Virgin rather than an angel, but shares with the angel medal its purpose as everyday protection worn close to the body.
Chain and engraving: what to know before ordering
The medal is worn on a chain whose length follows the child’s age: between 40 and 42 cm for a baby, up to 45 cm for a child over 5 who is growing fast. The curb chain, flat and understated, remains the most common for a child’s first piece of jewellery; the rope chain or the marine chain, more decorative, suit adult wear better. A medal is typically engraved on the back, usually on two lines of a few characters: the first name on the first line, the christening or birth date on the second. On a 14 mm diameter, the available space limits the engraving to a short first name and a date in abbreviated format; from 18 mm upward, a full date spelled out remains legible.
Who to give an angel medal to, and for what occasion
The godfather or godmother traditionally gives the medal on the day of the christening, but the same piece also suits a birth, a communion or a profession of faith, with no gender connotation: the guardian angel and the angel with a dove are worn just as well by a girl as by a boy. For a gift meant to last, it’s best to plan for the child’s growth: an adjustable or slightly long chain at purchase avoids having to replace it two years later. Those torn between several symbols can also look at Virgin Mary medals or medals with symbolic motifs such as the chrism or the cross, two designs that pair well with an angel on a charm bracelet rather than on a single chain.
Showing all 7 results
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Angel and dove christening medal in yellow gold – 18 carats
£622.99 -
Angel Raphael mother of pearl and gold christening medal
£423.99 -
Guardian angel christening medal – 18 carats
£535.99 -
Mini Raphael Angel christening medal – 18 carats
£413.99 -
Raphael white gold christening medal
£545.99 -
Raphael’s Angel christening medal – 18 carats
£632.99 -
The Messenger christening medal – 18 carats
£617.99
Angel christening medal: which design to choose
The angel medal is one of the most popular designs for a christening, alongside Virgin Mary medals and patron saint figures. The motif varies: a solitary angel with outstretched wings, a guardian angel holding a child close, or an angel with a dove, the dove resting in cupped hands as a symbol of peace. The choice mainly depends on the finish you want on the back of the piece: a profile sculpted in relief stands out more than a design engraved in intaglio, but generally weighs a few tenths of a gram more than a fine strike.
Diameter, weight and material: the practical criteria
A medal for a newborn should be chosen in a 14 or 15 mm diameter: beyond that, the piece weighs down the chain and tips over on the child’s chest. From around 3-4 years old, 16 or 18 mm remains comfortable; 20 and 22 mm suit a teenager or an adult reclaiming the medal from their own christening. In 18-carat yellow or white gold (750/1000), a 16 mm medal weighs on average between 1.5 and 2.5 grams depending on the thickness of the strike; in 9-carat gold (375/1000), the weight is similar but the price drops with the higher alloy content. Solid 925 silver and vermeil, silver plated with gold, offer a look close to yellow gold for a more accessible budget, with slightly lower wear resistance over the long term.
- 14-15 mm: birth and christening before age 2, on a fine chain
- 16-18 mm: children aged 3 to 10, with good legibility of the engraving
- 20-22 mm: communion, confirmation, or reclaimed in adulthood
Guardian angel, angel Raphael, angel with a dove: the design variants
In Catholic tradition, three archangels are named individually: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. The latter is associated with healing and travel, which explains why he often appears on medals given for a fragile or premature baby. The guardian angel, with no given name, remains the most popular motif because it carries a broader meaning: everyday protection, without reference to a specific biblical episode. The angel with a dove combines both symbols of peace and protection on a single face; it’s a frequent choice when the godmother or godfather wants a design that stays legible even at 14 mm, as the dove remains recognisable at small scale, unlike a detailed face which loses sharpness under 16 mm.
For a different name or design, Virgin and Child medals and patron saint medals cover other themes: Virgin and Child for the maternal image, a patron saint when the child already bears the name of a specific saint, such as Michael, Gabriel, Therese or Christopher. The Miraculous Medal, whose iconography dates back to the apparition to Catherine Labouré in 1830, remains a distinct choice: it depicts the Virgin rather than an angel, but shares with the angel medal its purpose as everyday protection worn close to the body.
Chain and engraving: what to know before ordering
The medal is worn on a chain whose length follows the child’s age: between 40 and 42 cm for a baby, up to 45 cm for a child over 5 who is growing fast. The curb chain, flat and understated, remains the most common for a child’s first piece of jewellery; the rope chain or the marine chain, more decorative, suit adult wear better. A medal is typically engraved on the back, usually on two lines of a few characters: the first name on the first line, the christening or birth date on the second. On a 14 mm diameter, the available space limits the engraving to a short first name and a date in abbreviated format; from 18 mm upward, a full date spelled out remains legible.
Who to give an angel medal to, and for what occasion
The godfather or godmother traditionally gives the medal on the day of the christening, but the same piece also suits a birth, a communion or a profession of faith, with no gender connotation: the guardian angel and the angel with a dove are worn just as well by a girl as by a boy. For a gift meant to last, it’s best to plan for the child’s growth: an adjustable or slightly long chain at purchase avoids having to replace it two years later. Those torn between several symbols can also look at Virgin Mary medals or medals with symbolic motifs such as the chrism or the cross, two designs that pair well with an angel on a charm bracelet rather than on a single chain.