Little Treasures Collection

A tightly curated selection for a christening or birth gift

The Little Treasures collection brings together pieces that are short in neck drop, light in weight and simple to engrave: small-diameter medals, fine chains, supple bracelets. The idea behind this selection is not quantity but consistency: every piece included suits a child who wears little material and moves a lot. A godfather or godmother racing against the christening date finds a quick reference point here rather than an entire catalogue to sort through.

The guiding principle remains real-world use: a baby of a few weeks old doesn’t wear the same medal as a child taking their first communion. Here, diameters stay modest (14 to 16 mm in most cases) and weights sit under 2 grams in 18-carat gold, which limits strain on a 40 cm chain worn daily.

What budget this selection is designed for

The range covers 925 sterling silver and vermeil for tighter budgets, then 9-carat yellow or white gold (375/1000) as a mid-tier step before 18-carat gold (750/1000). The logic is simple: on a 15 mm medal, the difference in gold weight between 9 and 18 carats stays small, but the price difference doesn’t, a useful benchmark before deciding.

What sets a small piece apart from an ordinary one

A bracelet or medal designed for a young child is recognised by three details: the lobster clasp stays easy to operate with one hand, the chain link, often a fine curb or rope style, doesn’t catch on clothing, and the back of the medal keeps enough flat surface to hold a first name without the letters overlapping.

Choosing the design based on the first name or patron saint

The Miraculous Medal, whose origin traces back to the apparition reported by Catherine Labouré in 1830, remains the most requested choice for a christening, regardless of first name, since it isn’t tied to any particular saint. Conversely, a family wishing to honour a specific patron saint will choose a named design: Saint Christopher for a traveller, Saint Theresa for a name carried by a grandmother.

Virgin Mary, angel or cross: three different meanings

The Virgin and Child represents motherhood and suits a first child; the angel, more neutral, is often chosen without a strong denominational tie for a birth; the cross remains the simplest form and the easiest to pair with a chain already worn by an older sibling. These three families are explored in detail in our christening medals and christening crosses ranges.

• Miraculous Medal: neutral design, suited to any first name
• Patron saint design: to be chosen based on the child’s exact first name
• Cross alone: understated, pairs well with an existing piece of jewellery

Completing the piece with an engraving and a second item

On the back of a 15 mm medal, the available space generally allows for a short first name and a two-digit date for the day and month; beyond that, the letters become cramped and harder to read. A double-barrelled first name often means giving up the date, or moving it to the ring if the piece allows.

Pairing with a bracelet or chain bracelet

Many families complete the medal with a christening bracelet worn on the wrist rather than the neck, more practical for little ones who tend to grab at anything hanging in front of them. For a tighter budget without giving up gold, mini medals offer the same gesture with a reduced diameter of 10-12 mm.

Planning ahead: first communion and confirmation

A medal chosen delicate at birth is rarely worn as-is in the teenage years: the diameter then feels too understated. It’s common to add a bolder piece at the time of first communion, or to keep the first medal for more personal use, as a pendant rather than on a bracelet.

This selection doesn’t replace a piece-by-piece considered choice: it offers a coherent starting point when time is short between the christening announcement and the date itself, with benchmarks for diameter, weight and engraving that help avoid a random purchase.