Diamond Medallion Charm
A diamond medallion charm is a wearable talisman combining precious metals, seed pearls and diamonds to mark sentiment or belief.
Diamond Medallion Charm
A diamond medallion charm represents a distinct category of pendant jewellery that spans Victorian, Edwardian, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Retro and Mid-Century aesthetics. These pieces typically take the form of small medals, hearts, lockets or star-shaped motifs designed to be worn on a chain or bracelet.
The versions most commonly met on this page include 14 carat yellow gold, 18 carat yellow gold and 9ct gold formations carrying old cut diamonds and pearls. Examples range from devotional religious medals to romantic love tokens inscribed with sentiments or symbols like daisies and cherubs.
How they were made
The construction of these pieces relies on high-carat yellow gold and 9ct gold, often shaped into puffy hearts, round medal discs or star forms. Shagreen also appears as a tactile backing material in specific Victorian interpretations.
Goldsmiths set small diamonds and seed pearls directly into the gold surface, sometimes combining enamel work to accent the design. These decorative elements are soldered or flush-mounted by hand depending on the period.
Diamond Medallion Charm Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for diamond medallion charm 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.
Periods represented on this page stretch from the Victorian era through Edwardian and Art Deco aesthetics to 1960.
What varies in quality
Quality in a diamond medallion charm rests on the crispness of the gold stampings and the fineness of the hand-chased details, such as the feathers on a cherub or the petals of a daisy. Pieces with substantial gold weight and secure stone settings distinguish themselves from lighter, mass-produced counterparts.
The character of the individual diamonds, particularly old cut stones with distinct facets, elevates the visual depth of the piece. Preservation of original elements like interior locket bezels and enamel integrity further defines the finer specimens.
The Diamond Medallion Charm Glossary
- Old cut diamond
- A diamond shape characterised by a small table, high crown and open culet, typically hand-faceted before modern brilliant standards were established.
- Seed pearl
- A very small, naturally occurring or cultured pearl often used in tight clusters or borders on Victorian and Edwardian jewellery.
- Shagreen
- Undyed sharkskin or rayskin used as a decorative textured panel behind gold and gemstone overlays.
- Puff heart
- A swollen, three-dimensional heart pendant made from two hollow stamped gold halves joined at a central seam.
Diamond Medallion Charm: Frequently Asked Questions
How were these charms worn?
These pieces function primarily as pendants suspended from neck chains or attached to charm bracelets. Their dual nature allowed owners to wear them close to the heart as personal amulets.
Heavier examples with locket compartments also served to hold small photographs or locks of hair. This made them deeply private items of sentimental value.
What periods do these pieces span?
The selection covers several distinct eras, beginning with Victorian and Edwardian pieces from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. These often feature high-carat gold and seed pearls.
Later examples extend into Art Deco, Retro and Mid-Century designs up to 1960. These mid-century pieces frequently incorporate specific maker inscriptions and 14 carat gold.
Are these pieces made of solid gold?
The evidence shows items fashioned from 9ct, 15ct and 18ct yellow gold, alongside 14 carat yellow gold variants. These denote varying proportions of pure gold alloyed for durability.
Different periods favoured different purity standards, with higher carat thresholds appearing more frequently in Victorian and French regional pieces.
What motifs appear on these charms?
Common motifs include religious iconography such as the Virgin Mary and Raphael’s cherubs. Floral symbols like daisies and roses also recur frequently.
Other designs embrace celestial themes with stars and zodiac signs like Taurus and Aries. Romantic love tokens featuring intertwined hearts form another substantial group.