Heritage Collection
Heritage collection: christening jewelry designed to last
A christening medal changes hands several times before ending up worn daily or tucked away in a family drawer. The heritage collection brings together pieces chosen for this long journey: 18-carat gold (750/1000) or solid 925 silver, classic shapes, and back engraving that records a name and a date. These are objects rediscovered twenty or forty years later with the date still legible, not seasonal jewelry.
Which material for a piece of jewelry meant to last decades
18-carat gold remains the benchmark for jewelry meant to be kept: at 750/1000, it resists oxidation better than 9-carat gold (375/1000) and keeps its shine without special care. Solid 925 silver is a solid compromise, especially in vermeil, which slows tarnishing from contact with skin. For a christening medal worn daily by a child, the material determines longevity as much as weight: a 16 to 18 mm gold medal generally weighs between 1.5 and 2.5 grams, enough not to distort a fine chain.
Brushed, polished or hammered: the finish matters as much as the metal
A matte brushed finish hides everyday micro-scratches better than a mirror-polished finish, which matters for jewelry worn without a second thought for years. The hammered finish, more common on christening crosses and certain curb chains, plays with light reflections rather than a smooth surface and doesn’t show visible wear patterns over time.
Choosing the design: what each symbol represents
The miraculous medal, featuring the Virgin Mary with open hands radiating light, depicts the apparition reported by Catherine Labouré in 1830 on Rue du Bac in Paris, now a pilgrimage site. The chrism, a monogram of Christ formed from the Greek letters chi and rho, appears more often on pieces with simple, traditional lines than on newer designs. For a choice tied to a name, the most requested patron saints remain Saint Christopher, protector of travelers, Saint Michael and Saint Theresa: the child’s name or a godparent’s name often guides the decision more than aesthetics alone.
Diameter, chain length: the benchmarks to get it right
- 14 to 15 mm: infants, a discreet medal worn almost constantly during the first months
- 16 to 18 mm: the most common size up to adolescence, a good balance between legible engraving and weight
- 20 to 22 mm: a bolder piece, often chosen for jewelry meant to be worn into adulthood
As for the chain, a length of 40 to 45 cm suits a young child without risk of catching. It’s easier to replace than a medal and doesn’t need to match it in material, as long as the clasp can support the weight of the attached piece.
Engraving: the only truly personal touch
On the back of a 16 mm medal, there’s rarely room for more than a short first name and a date in day/month/year format or year alone. A double-barreled name or a full date often requires smaller lettering, making it less legible twenty years on. Many families choose the year alone for this reason, with the name on one line and the date below. A christening medal is engraved on the back, almost always after the piece is purchased.
Beyond jewelry: silverware to accompany the christening
An engraved cup or napkin ring follows the same logic as the medal: an item brought out once a year, whose value lies in bearing a name and a date rather than in everyday use. Our selection of table silverware and photo frames complements the wearable pieces to form a cohesive set, given all at once at the ceremony.
Frequently asked questions about choosing a piece from the heritage collection
Should you choose gold or silver for a first christening piece?
925 silver works very well for a first piece of jewelry worn by a young child: less expensive weight for weight, it holds up well if the piece isn’t handled daily. 18-carat gold is the better choice for jewelry meant to stay in use into adulthood.
What medal size should you choose for a newborn?
14 to 15 mm remains the most common benchmark for the first months: small enough not to weigh down a fine chain, large enough for the engraving to stay legible later on.
Can a medal and a cross be worn on the same chain?
Yes, as long as the clasp and chain links can support the combined weight of both pieces. A curb or rolo chain handles this load better than a fine omega-style chain.
Showing all 5 results
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Beaded chain in silver with yellow gold finish
£96.99 -
Customizable gold-plated Josephine bangle
£209.99 -
Gold-plated Josephine token only
£66.99 -
Heritage gold-plated bangle
£209.99 -
Heritage silver bangle
£229.99
Heritage collection: christening jewelry designed to last
A christening medal changes hands several times before ending up worn daily or tucked away in a family drawer. The heritage collection brings together pieces chosen for this long journey: 18-carat gold (750/1000) or solid 925 silver, classic shapes, and back engraving that records a name and a date. These are objects rediscovered twenty or forty years later with the date still legible, not seasonal jewelry.
Which material for a piece of jewelry meant to last decades
18-carat gold remains the benchmark for jewelry meant to be kept: at 750/1000, it resists oxidation better than 9-carat gold (375/1000) and keeps its shine without special care. Solid 925 silver is a solid compromise, especially in vermeil, which slows tarnishing from contact with skin. For a christening medal worn daily by a child, the material determines longevity as much as weight: a 16 to 18 mm gold medal generally weighs between 1.5 and 2.5 grams, enough not to distort a fine chain.
Brushed, polished or hammered: the finish matters as much as the metal
A matte brushed finish hides everyday micro-scratches better than a mirror-polished finish, which matters for jewelry worn without a second thought for years. The hammered finish, more common on christening crosses and certain curb chains, plays with light reflections rather than a smooth surface and doesn’t show visible wear patterns over time.
Choosing the design: what each symbol represents
The miraculous medal, featuring the Virgin Mary with open hands radiating light, depicts the apparition reported by Catherine Labouré in 1830 on Rue du Bac in Paris, now a pilgrimage site. The chrism, a monogram of Christ formed from the Greek letters chi and rho, appears more often on pieces with simple, traditional lines than on newer designs. For a choice tied to a name, the most requested patron saints remain Saint Christopher, protector of travelers, Saint Michael and Saint Theresa: the child’s name or a godparent’s name often guides the decision more than aesthetics alone.
Diameter, chain length: the benchmarks to get it right
- 14 to 15 mm: infants, a discreet medal worn almost constantly during the first months
- 16 to 18 mm: the most common size up to adolescence, a good balance between legible engraving and weight
- 20 to 22 mm: a bolder piece, often chosen for jewelry meant to be worn into adulthood
As for the chain, a length of 40 to 45 cm suits a young child without risk of catching. It’s easier to replace than a medal and doesn’t need to match it in material, as long as the clasp can support the weight of the attached piece.
Engraving: the only truly personal touch
On the back of a 16 mm medal, there’s rarely room for more than a short first name and a date in day/month/year format or year alone. A double-barreled name or a full date often requires smaller lettering, making it less legible twenty years on. Many families choose the year alone for this reason, with the name on one line and the date below. A christening medal is engraved on the back, almost always after the piece is purchased.
Beyond jewelry: silverware to accompany the christening
An engraved cup or napkin ring follows the same logic as the medal: an item brought out once a year, whose value lies in bearing a name and a date rather than in everyday use. Our selection of table silverware and photo frames complements the wearable pieces to form a cohesive set, given all at once at the ceremony.
Frequently asked questions about choosing a piece from the heritage collection
Should you choose gold or silver for a first christening piece?
925 silver works very well for a first piece of jewelry worn by a young child: less expensive weight for weight, it holds up well if the piece isn’t handled daily. 18-carat gold is the better choice for jewelry meant to stay in use into adulthood.
What medal size should you choose for a newborn?
14 to 15 mm remains the most common benchmark for the first months: small enough not to weigh down a fine chain, large enough for the engraving to stay legible later on.
Can a medal and a cross be worn on the same chain?
Yes, as long as the clasp and chain links can support the combined weight of both pieces. A curb or rolo chain handles this load better than a fine omega-style chain.