18k Yellow Gold Medallion
An 18k yellow gold medallion offers intricate metalwork and enduring devotion, bringing French antique history directly to your neck.
18k Yellow Gold Medallion
When searching for an 18k yellow gold medallion, you are examining pendant charms, religious medals, and devotional tokens primarily originating from France across the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The pieces on this page span several decades from the 1890s through the mid-century, capturing periods such as Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Belle Epoque design.
Religious motifs dominate the selection, with numerous depictions of the Virgin Mary, Madonna and Child, Sacred Heart, and various saints like Saint Christopher and Saint John the Baptist. Alongside these sacred subjects, you will find secular designs including zodiac star signs, floral wreaths, animal themes, and city coats of arms intended for daily wear on chains or charm bracelets.
What varies in quality
The distinction between standard items and finer examples rests on the depth of relief in the metalwork and the precision of the engraving. Master medallists signed their work, so pieces bearing legible signatures from known designers command greater attention.
18k Yellow Gold Medallion Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for 18k yellow gold medallion among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Listings span periods from 1890 to 1960, featuring 18k yellow gold combined with enamel, pearls, and mother of pearl.
Emile Monier·Paul Brandt·Perroud·Mazzoni·Pageli Perriat·Guilbert·Emile Dropsy·Sellier·Rasumny·Ovide Yencesse·Tairac
The 18k Yellow Gold Medallion Glossary
- Medallion
- A large metal pendant, usually circular or oval, struck or cast with a pictorial design or inscription. They are often worn as necklaces or attached to heavy charm bracelets.
- Plique-a-jour
- An enamelling technique where the enamel is applied within a cell framework without a backing, resembling miniature stained glass. Light shines through the translucent coloured glass.
- Belle Epoque
- A period of French history lasting from the late nineteenth century until the First World War, known for refined elegance and ornate jewellery design. Pieces from this era often feature flowing floral motifs.
- Art Nouveau
- An international style of art and architecture most popular around 1900, characterised by organic lines and stylised natural forms. Medals from this movement display sinuous plant stems and ethereal figures.
- Mother of pearl
- The iridescent internal layer of mollusc shells, carved and polished for decorative inlays. It provides a shimmering background behind gold religious reliefs.
18k Yellow Gold Medallion: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I wear an antique medallion?
These pieces function well suspended from a simple gold chain that matches the warmth of the yellow metal. You can also group smaller versions together on a substantial charm bracelet.
Ensure the jump ring or bail is secure before daily wear, as older connectors benefit from professional inspection.
What do the religious symbols mean?
Depictions of the Virgin Mary and the Madonna and Child serve as traditional tokens of protection, grace, and faith. Saint Christopher medals were historically carried by travellers for safe journeys.
Other symbols like the lucky clover or floral wreaths represent good fortune, remembrance, and natural beauty.
How can I tell the period?
Stylistic cues offer the clearest indication of date, moving from the flowing organic lines of Art Nouveau in the 1900s to the geometric symmetry of Art Deco by the 1920s. Hallmarks stamped directly onto the gold exterior or suspension loop also help verify French origin and metal purity.
Examining the treatment of the enamel and the specific lettering style provides further clues to the decade of manufacture.
Are these pieces fragile?
While 18k gold is durable for regular use, pieces containing plique-a-jour enamel or mother of pearl require careful handling. Avoid exposing them to harsh chemicals, ultrasonic cleaning, or heavy impacts that could crack the glass or inlay.
Store each medallion individually in a soft pouch to prevent scratching against other items in your collection.