Saint Anthony is, by far, the saint our family turns to the most (we tell you all about it in Saint Anthony, the saint of our family). That is why his medal is one of our favorites to make. And when someone writes to us to order one, the same question almost always comes up: “Which one should I choose?”. Here is our little guide to help you choose the right one, whether it is for you or as a gift.
1. What it means to wear Saint Anthony
Saint Anthony was born in Lisbon at the end of the 12th century, became a Franciscan friar, and was one of the great preachers of his time. He died near Padua in 1231 and was canonized the following year. According to tradition, a novice stole his book of psalms and returned it repentant after the saint prayed; that is why people ask for his help in finding lost items. In Spain, he is also the patron saint of engaged couples and those looking for a partner. He is usually depicted holding the Child Jesus in his arms. You can find his entire story in Saint Anthony of Padua: history and curiosities.
2. With pearls, the most classic
If you are unsure, start here. The Saint Anthony medal with natural pearls is the most popular: the pearl is a traditional symbol of purity, and each one has its own shape and shine. It is the one most often given as a gift for a wedding, baptism, or first communion. If you like the color, we also have it with pearls and navy blue, turquoise blue, lilac, or green enamel.
3. With natural stones, for added character
If you are looking for a Saint Anthony medal with more personality, take a look at the ones with natural stones. Lapis lazuli has a deep blue color that goes with everything; topaz adds brightness; amazonite is a very soft sea green, and tiger’s eye has a warm, toasted tone. And if you cannot decide, the multicolor one combines stones in several shades. Since the stones are natural, no two medals are alike.
4. Who it makes a great gift for
- For an engaged couple or the bride: he is the patron saint of engaged couples, and a wedding gift with a lot of meaning. You can find more ideas in wedding gifts.
- For anyone named Antonio or Antonia, on June 13 or any day of the year.
- For a baptism or first communion, it is best with a natural pearl. Chains are not left around babies’ necks: the usual practice is to keep the medal until they are old enough to wear it.
- For anyone looking for something: a job, a home, a path. Saint Anthony will guide them.
And if you want a more complete gift, take a look at our gift sets, which include a Saint Anthony medal with a natural pearl and a matching bracelet or necklace.
5. How to wear and care for it
Our Saint Anthony medals are our own designs and are handmade in Spain from zamak with 18K gold plating. They all come with a gold-plated chain, 40 cm long with a 5 cm extender. To preserve their shine, put the medal on after applying perfume and cream, and take it off when showering, swimming, or exercising. You can find all the tips in how to care for gold-plated jewelry.
Facts you can check
- Saint Anthony was born in Lisbon in 1195, died on June 13, 1231, near Padua, was canonized by Gregory IX in 1232, and Pope Pius XII declared him a Doctor of the Church in 1946. Source
- According to tradition, a novice stole his book of psalms and returned it after the saint prayed; that is why he is known for helping people find lost items. Source
- Every June 13, at the Hermitage of Saint Anthony of La Florida in Madrid, tradition says that girls throw 13 pins into the well and, depending on how many they keep in their hand, they will know how many suitors they will have. Source
- Goya painted the frescoes on the dome of that hermitage in 1798, depicting a miracle of Saint Anthony in Lisbon. Source
The most beautiful medals in the world are at Khartes: discover all our Saint Anthony medals, with delivery in 24–72 hours and free shipping on the Spanish mainland and Balearic Islands for orders over €65.
Marian and Bárbara
The most beautiful medals are at www.khartesmadrid.com