Men's Gold-Tone Medallions

Men's gold medallion necklaces: size, chain and how they sit

A medallion is a round or oval pendant with a figure in relief or engraving. It has more presence than a small cross and reads from a distance. This collection holds four medallion necklaces, each available in gold-tone: stainless steel or titanium steel with a gold-tone plating, not gold. This page is about choosing between them by size and by where they sit on the chest. For the meaning of the saints behind them, see our page on gold saint medals.

The four medallions, compared

Which medallion for which look

• The statement: the Lion Head Medallion is the largest, with a sculpted lion's head framed by cubic zirconia. Over a black T-shirt or an open shirt, it is the center of the outfit. More lion pieces in our lion necklaces.
• The discreet one: the Oval Medallion is slim, 39 x 20 mm and 1.8 mm thick, so it sits flat under a shirt.
• The classic coin: the Saint Benedict Medallion on its 60 cm box chain, a traditional round medal at mid-chest.
• The short one: the Archangel Medallion sits high, at the base of the neck, thanks to its 40 cm chain with extender. It shows above a crew neck.

Wearing a gold medallion

A medallion is a single focal point: wear it alone or with one very fine chain above it. Match the scale to your build and to the neckline: a 55 mm lion medallion needs an open collar or a plain tee, while a 39 mm oval works under a button-down. Keep other jewelry quiet, a thin gold-tone bracelet at most.

Care

You can keep a medallion on in the shower, at the sea or in the pool. Rinse it in fresh water after salt water or chlorine and dry it, especially the relief details. Perfume and chlorine wear the gold-tone plating with time. On the lion medallion, a soft brush keeps the stones clear.