The Miraculous Medal: What It Means and How to Choose Yours

The Miraculous Medal is probably the most widespread religious medal in the world. Many families give it at baptism and wear it for life. If you are thinking of wearing it or giving it as a gift, here is everything you need to know to choose yours.

You can see all the models of our Miraculous Medal while you read the guide.

What the Miraculous Medal means

It was born in Paris in 1830, when, according to Saint Catherine Labouré, the Virgin appeared to her and asked her to strike a medal with the prayer "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee". So many graces were attributed to those who wore it that they began to call it "miraculous". It represents the Immaculate with open arms and rays of light coming from her hands. We tell you everything in the history of the Miraculous Medal and the meaning of its design.

1. With a natural pearl: the most loved

The natural pearl is light and delicacy, and combines perfectly with the blue and white of the Virgin. It is our best-selling Miraculous Medal and a perfect piece for a baptism or a communion.

The Miraculous Medal with natural pearl
€69

The Miraculous Medal with rubies and sapphires
€69

The multicolor Miraculous Medal
€69

2. With natural stones: color and personality

Lapis lazuli recalls the blue mantle of the Virgin; amethyst and fluorite provide very delicate lilac tones. Each stone is natural, so your medal will be unique.

The Miraculous Medal with lapis lazuli
€65

The Miraculous Medal with fluorite
€69

The Miraculous Medal with amethyst
€65

More Miraculous Medal models

Pearl and pearlescent white enamel With amazonite Kyanite and blue enamel With turquoise Pearl and lilac enamel With rhodonite

3. Medal, pendant or bracelet

All our medals come with a 40 cm gold-plated chain + 5 cm extender, ready to wear as a pendant. If you prefer to wear it on your wrist, you have the Miraculous Medal bracelet, and if you want the medal to stand out even more, combine it with a pearl or natural stone necklace.

In addition to the medals with pearls and stones, the collection has other pieces: the Virgin of the Miraculous Medal and Cross Medal, made of 925 silver plated in gold with white cubic zirconia (95 €); the Miraculous Medal Enamel Pendant (40 €), which also comes with its chain, and two bracelets: the elastic cord one (19 €) and the Miraculous Medal Enamel Bracelet (29 €), which adjusts with an extender.

4. Who is it for?

• For a baptism: it is the quintessential first medal.
• For a First Communion, as a lifelong keepsake.
• For November 27, feast of the Virgin of the Miraculous Medal.
• To accompany someone in a time when they need protection.

Quick guide: which Miraculous Medal to choose according to what you are looking for

If you already know who it is for, this list will save you the trouble. The colors and stones are those that appear in the name of each piece, and the prices are from November 2026.

• For a baptism: the Miraculous Medal with natural pearls (69 €) or, as a gift, the Miraculous Medal Enamel Pendant (40 €).
• For a First Communion: the one with rubies and sapphires (69 €) or the one with fluorite and lilac enamel (69 €).
• For the godmother or for your mother: the Virgin of the Miraculous Medal and Cross Medal, made of 925 silver plated in gold (95 €), or the one with natural pearl and pearlescent white enamel (69 €).
• For everyday wear: the one with natural pearls (69 €), white on gold and no other color.
• If you don't know what its color is: the multicolor Miraculous Medal (69 €).
• For Christmas: the one with rubies and sapphires (69 €) or a pack, such as the medal with fluorite and Miraculous Medal bracelet (94 €).
• For someone who dresses in blue: with lapis lazuli (65 €), with navy blue enamel and lapis lazuli (69 €), with kyanite and blue enamel (69 €) or with pearl and navy blue enamel (69 €).
• If their color is lilac: with amethyst (65 €), with fluorite and lilac enamel (69 €) or with natural pearl and lilac enamel (69 €).
• If they prefer green or turquoise: with natural pearl and green enamel (69 €), with turquoise (65 €) or with African turquoise (65 €).
• If you are looking for another stone: we also make it with amazonite (69 €), with rhodonite (65 €) and with unakite (65 €).
• A detail for less than €30: the Miraculous Medal bracelet (19 €) or the Miraculous Medal Enamel Bracelet (29 €).
• Medal and something more: the packs with the natural pearl medal, with the Olimpia Chain (114 €) or with the María Necklace (124 €).

5. Is it gold?

Our Miraculous Medal medals are handmade in Spain in zamak with 18K gold plating, with natural pearls and stones and hand-applied colored enamels. With some simple care, the shine lasts much longer.

Frequently asked questions before buying

Does the medal come with a chain?

Yes. In the product page of each medal, in the "Details" section, you will see that it includes an adjustable gold-plated chain of 40 cm + 5 cm extender. The enameled pendant and the silver medal also come with it.

How long does it take to arrive and how much is shipping?

It usually arrives in 24–72 h, and shipping is free from €65 to the Peninsula and Balearic Islands. Below that amount it costs €3.95 in Madrid and €5.95 in the rest of the Peninsula and Balearic Islands. If you want it for a specific date, such as November 27, order it a few days in advance.

Does it come wrapped for a gift?

Yes, always and at no cost.

Can I exchange it if I make the wrong choice?

Yes: you have 14 days from delivery and the first exchange is free. The details are in the exchange and return policy.

Facts you can check

• The first apparition was on the night of July 18, 1830, around midnight. According to Catherine's own account, a four or five-year-old boy, dressed in white, woke her up and took her to the chapel, where the Virgin sat in the place of the community director. Source
• Catherine was born on a farm, in a large family of farmers in Burgundy, and lost her mother at nine years old. She kept secret that she was the visionary almost until her death; that is why they call her "the saint of silence". Source
• The body of Saint Catherine Labouré rests in the same chapel, under the altar of the Virgin of the Globe, at number 140 of the rue du Bac. The heart of Saint Vincent de Paul is also preserved there. Source
• On January 20, 1842, Alphonse Ratisbonne, who wore the medal at the insistence of a friend, had a vision of the Virgin in the church of Sant'Andrea delle Fratte, in Rome. He converted and in 1847 was ordained a priest. Source

Discover all our Miraculous Medal medals, with shipping in 24–72 h, free from €65 and always wrapped for a gift.

Marian and Bárbara