Miraculous Medal
Choosing a miraculous medal for a christening, birth or communion
The miraculous medal is easily recognised by its oval shape and its image of the Virgin Mary standing with open arms, surrounded by the Latin inscription “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee”. It is one of the most popular religious jewels given for a christening, a birth or a first communion, often worn as a pendant on its own or paired with a cross. Before choosing a model, three practical questions arise: what diameter suits the age of the child or adult who will wear it, what material fits everyday or occasional wear, and whether an engraving on the back should be planned.
Which diameter and material to choose for a miraculous medal
Diameter, based on age and build
Miraculous medals come in several diameters, most commonly between 14 and 22 mm. A 14 or 15 mm model suits a baby or young child: lighter, it doesn’t pull on the chain and stays discreet. From 18 mm upward, the medal gains presence and readability, a common choice for an adult or for a piece meant to be worn daily. Beyond 20 mm, the image becomes more detailed but the weight increases accordingly, a point to watch on a thin chain.
Yellow gold, 9k gold, solid silver or vermeil
18k yellow gold (750/1000) remains the classic choice for a medal meant to last, resisting daily wear and water. 9k gold (375/1000) contains less precious metal, with a paler tone. Solid 925 silver offers a lighter piece of jewellery, suited to a child’s first piece, while vermeil (silver plated with gold) gives the look of gold, at the cost of a gold plating that wears down over time if the medal is worn continuously.
- 18k gold: rich tone, resistance to tarnishing, higher weight.
- 9k gold: paler tone, less precious metal, lighter weight.
- 925 silver: white colour, regular care needed to prevent tarnishing.
- Vermeil: gold look, plating to keep an eye on over time.
The origin of the miraculous medal: Catherine Labouré and Rue du Bac
The story of this medal goes back to 1830. Catherine Labouré, then a novice with the Daughters of Charity on Rue du Bac in Paris, reported several apparitions of the Virgin Mary. During one of them, the Virgin showed her an oval medal and asked her to have it struck with the inscription that still appears on every model today. The first strike dates from 1832, made by Parisian silversmith Adrien Vachette. It spread quickly, so much so that the name “miraculous medal” soon replaced its original title, the Medal of the Immaculate Conception. The chapel on Rue du Bac, where Catherine Labouré rests, remains a place of pilgrimage open to the public today.
Which chain to pair with the medal, and how is it worn
The medal is worn as a pendant, short enough to sit close to the neck. For a child, a 40 to 45 cm chain in curb or figaro link remains the standard: these fine links comfortably support a light pendant without warping. For an adult, a length of 45 to 50 cm in round or diamond-cut curb link better suits an 18 to 20 mm medal. The chain’s metal generally matches that of the medal: gold with gold, silver with silver, to avoid any visible colour contrast when worn.
Engraving the miraculous medal: what to know before choosing
A miraculous medal is engraved on the back, on the smooth side with no design. The available space is limited by the diameter: on a 14 or 16 mm model, only a short first name and a date fit legibly; from 18 mm upward, a longer first name or a full date fits without excessively shrinking the character size. The smaller the medal, the simpler the lettering should stay to keep the engraving readable to the naked eye.
Miraculous medal or another image of the Virgin: making the right choice
The miraculous medal depicts the Virgin Mary alone, standing, hands open downward with rays of light streaming from them. If the image you’re after shows the Virgin in a different pose or context, the Virgin Mary medals cover a wider range of depictions, while the Virgin and Child medals suit those looking for a design pairing Mary with the infant Jesus, a variant often chosen for a christening. Among these three depictions, the deciding factor stays the same: which image speaks most to the person receiving the jewel, or which patron saint’s name should appear on it.
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Blue Miraculous medal – 18 carats
£270.99 -
Light pink Miraculous medal – 18 carats
£270.99 -
Miraculous medal – 9 carats
£234.99🛒 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Miraculous medal – Mary conceived without sin – 18 carats
£254.99🛒 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Miraculous medal – the immaculate conception – 18 carats
£356.99🛒 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Miraculous medal – Virgin of the Poor – 18 carats
£346.99 -
Miraculous medal for engraving – 18 carats
£520.99🛒 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Miraculous medal for engraving – 9 carats
£254.99🛒 This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Miraculous medal silver
£137.99 -
Oval Virgin mother of pearl christening medal
£392.99 -
White Miraculous medal – 18 carats
£270.99
Choosing a miraculous medal for a christening, birth or communion
The miraculous medal is easily recognised by its oval shape and its image of the Virgin Mary standing with open arms, surrounded by the Latin inscription “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee”. It is one of the most popular religious jewels given for a christening, a birth or a first communion, often worn as a pendant on its own or paired with a cross. Before choosing a model, three practical questions arise: what diameter suits the age of the child or adult who will wear it, what material fits everyday or occasional wear, and whether an engraving on the back should be planned.
Which diameter and material to choose for a miraculous medal
Diameter, based on age and build
Miraculous medals come in several diameters, most commonly between 14 and 22 mm. A 14 or 15 mm model suits a baby or young child: lighter, it doesn’t pull on the chain and stays discreet. From 18 mm upward, the medal gains presence and readability, a common choice for an adult or for a piece meant to be worn daily. Beyond 20 mm, the image becomes more detailed but the weight increases accordingly, a point to watch on a thin chain.
Yellow gold, 9k gold, solid silver or vermeil
18k yellow gold (750/1000) remains the classic choice for a medal meant to last, resisting daily wear and water. 9k gold (375/1000) contains less precious metal, with a paler tone. Solid 925 silver offers a lighter piece of jewellery, suited to a child’s first piece, while vermeil (silver plated with gold) gives the look of gold, at the cost of a gold plating that wears down over time if the medal is worn continuously.
- 18k gold: rich tone, resistance to tarnishing, higher weight.
- 9k gold: paler tone, less precious metal, lighter weight.
- 925 silver: white colour, regular care needed to prevent tarnishing.
- Vermeil: gold look, plating to keep an eye on over time.
The origin of the miraculous medal: Catherine Labouré and Rue du Bac
The story of this medal goes back to 1830. Catherine Labouré, then a novice with the Daughters of Charity on Rue du Bac in Paris, reported several apparitions of the Virgin Mary. During one of them, the Virgin showed her an oval medal and asked her to have it struck with the inscription that still appears on every model today. The first strike dates from 1832, made by Parisian silversmith Adrien Vachette. It spread quickly, so much so that the name “miraculous medal” soon replaced its original title, the Medal of the Immaculate Conception. The chapel on Rue du Bac, where Catherine Labouré rests, remains a place of pilgrimage open to the public today.
Which chain to pair with the medal, and how is it worn
The medal is worn as a pendant, short enough to sit close to the neck. For a child, a 40 to 45 cm chain in curb or figaro link remains the standard: these fine links comfortably support a light pendant without warping. For an adult, a length of 45 to 50 cm in round or diamond-cut curb link better suits an 18 to 20 mm medal. The chain’s metal generally matches that of the medal: gold with gold, silver with silver, to avoid any visible colour contrast when worn.
Engraving the miraculous medal: what to know before choosing
A miraculous medal is engraved on the back, on the smooth side with no design. The available space is limited by the diameter: on a 14 or 16 mm model, only a short first name and a date fit legibly; from 18 mm upward, a longer first name or a full date fits without excessively shrinking the character size. The smaller the medal, the simpler the lettering should stay to keep the engraving readable to the naked eye.
Miraculous medal or another image of the Virgin: making the right choice
The miraculous medal depicts the Virgin Mary alone, standing, hands open downward with rays of light streaming from them. If the image you’re after shows the Virgin in a different pose or context, the Virgin Mary medals cover a wider range of depictions, while the Virgin and Child medals suit those looking for a design pairing Mary with the infant Jesus, a variant often chosen for a christening. Among these three depictions, the deciding factor stays the same: which image speaks most to the person receiving the jewel, or which patron saint’s name should appear on it.