Gold Medal Charm
A gold medal charm combines the portable history of a devotional pendant with the rich lustre of 18ct yellow and rose gold.
Gold Medal Charm
When searching for a gold medal charm, collectors encounter small disc or cross pendants intended to be worn on a chain or suspended from a watch fob.
The pieces on this page appear predominantly from French workshops spanning the late nineteenth century through the mid-twentieth century.
Most examples depict religious figures such as the Virgin Mary, Madonna and Child, or various saints, alongside secular motifs like zodiac signs and sporting triumphs.
How they were made
Goldsmiths utilised 18ct yellow gold, rose gold, and occasionally white gold as the primary structural metal for stamping and casting these small medallions.
Master artisans applied coloured enamel, plique-a-jour, and mother of pearl to add depth and luminescence to the metallic surfaces.
Fine hand-engraving and seed pearl settings completed the ornamentation on both religious and secular pieces.
Gold Medal Charm Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for gold medal 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.
What varies in quality
The skill of the medallist or designer dictates the artistic merit, with signed works by known makers commanding greater attention.
The complexity of decorative techniques such as translucent plique-a-jour enamel or detailed sculptural relief separates standard production from finer output.
Emile Monier·Paul Brandt·Mazzoni·Pageli Perriat·Emile Dropsy·Sellier·Rasumny·Ovide Yencesse·Tairac·Guilbert·Vernon·Augis·Tricard
The Gold Medal Charm Glossary
- Plique-a-jour
- An enamelling technique where enamel is applied in cells without a backing, allowing light to shine through like stained glass.
- Watch fob
- A short strap or chain attached to a pocket watch, frequently ornamented with medals and charms.
- Medallion
- A large medal-like ornament worn as a pendant or charm.
- Seed pearl
- Very small natural or cultured pearls used to accent borders and floral motifs on jewellery.
Gold Medal Charm: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a gold medal charm?
A gold medal charm is a small devotional or commemorative pendant fashioned from high-karat gold, often featuring stamped iconography.
These pieces were produced to mark religious devotion, personal milestones, or affiliations with specific societies.
How were these charms worn?
Original owners typically wore them suspended from chatelaines, charm bracelets, or watch fobs attached to waistcoats.
Today, they are commonly adapted to modern neckchains for daily wear.
How do I identify the period?
Dating relies on stylistic movements such as Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Belle Epoque, alongside hallmarks stamped into the gold.
French pieces frequently bear guarantee marks indicating the purity of the metal.
Are these pieces signed by artists?
Many French medals bear the signature or initials of the master sculptor who engraved the original die.
Signatures add a layer of provenance to the miniature artwork.