Rose Gold Medallion
A rose gold medallion brings warm, rosy hues and intricate metalwork to your neck, combining historic charm with enduring precious metal.
Rose Gold Medallion
The versions you are most likely to meet on this page hail from the Victorian and Edwardian eras, alongside French antique and mid-century examples. They frequently take the form of small, circular or shield-shaped medals intended to hang from a chain or ribbon.
Makers utilised various carats of gold, pairing rose gold with yellow gold or sterling silver to create subtle tonal contrast. Their forms range from simple engraved discs to elaborate pendants set with diamonds, pearls, or plique-à-jour enamel.
How they were made
Goldsmiths worked predominantly with 18-karat and 14-karat gold alloys, blending copper into the gold mix to achieve the characteristic warm rose hue. Many items combine rose gold with yellow gold or incorporate sterling silver settings for gemstones.
Decoration relied heavily on hand engraving, repoussé work, and delicate enamel techniques such as plique-à-jour to let light pass through the coloured glass. Stone-set variations integrate small diamonds and pearls into floral or religious designs using flush or bezel settings.
Rose Gold Medallion Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for rose 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.
Several French pendants feature the Virgin Mary alongside delicate floral wreaths, proving that piety and botany make excellent bedfellows.
What varies in quality
The integration of secondary materials, such as translucent plique-à-jour enamel or securely set diamonds, elevates a piece. Pendants retaining their original hallmarks and crisp maker marks demonstrate better preservation over time.
The Rose Gold Medallion Glossary
- Plique-à-jour
- An enamelling technique where the enamel is applied without a backing, resembling miniature stained glass that allows light to shine through the transparent colours.
- Repoussé
- A metalworking method where the metal is hammered from the reverse side to form a raised design in relief on the front.
- Watch fob
- A short strap, ribbon, or chain attached to a pocket watch, often ending in a decorative medallion or seal.
- Pietra dura
- An artistic technique using cut and fitted polished coloured stones to create geometric or figural pictures.
- Hallmark
- An official stamp or marks struck on items of precious metals to certify their standard of purity.
Rose Gold Medallion: Frequently Asked Questions
How were antique medallions worn?
Antique medallions were typically suspended from chains around the neck, pinned to clothing, or attached to pocket watch fobs.
Religious medals were often worn daily as devotional items close to the heart, while decorative versions served as personal talismans or fashion accessories.
How do I care for antique gold jewellery?
Clean your rose gold jewellery gently using warm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth to remove everyday oils and dust.
Avoid harsh chemical dips or ultrasonic cleaners, particularly on pieces containing pearls, enamel, or soft gemstones.
How can I tell the age of a medallion?
The style of the engraving, the presence of specific hallmarks, and the manufacturing technique provide clues to a piece's period.
Art Nouveau and Victorian designs carry distinct stylistic markers that help differentiate nineteenth-century items from mid-century productions.