The Saint Benedict medal is, without a doubt, the most cherished protection medal: it is hung in a baby's crib, given as a confirmation gift, or worn for a lifetime. That is also why it is one of the most mass-produced. If you are looking for an original Saint Benedict medal, with a unique design and handmade, we will tell you what to look for to know what you are buying.
We have already talked about this in Khartes Medals vs. Imported Medals and in our guide how to know if a medal is uniquely designed and handmade. Today we are looking at the specific case of Saint Benedict.
How much a mass-produced Saint Benedict medal costs
Mass-produced Saint Benedict medals are sold on platforms such as AliExpress, Temu, or Shein for very little money. To give you an idea: on 04/11/2026, when searching for "original saint benedict medal" on AliExpress, a stainless steel Saint Benedict necklace with colored crystals and a "gold color" chain appeared for $0.33 USD, and a set of five enameled pendants with "crystal" was offered for $1.09 USD (about 22 cents each).
We have nothing against those medals: if someone wants a simple and affordable one, it is a perfectly valid option. What we do not think is right is that the same piece is bought for a few cents or a couple of euros and resold for €30 or €40 as "original design" or "handmade". A Saint Benedict medal is given to protect someone you love; the person who buys it deserves to know what they are getting.
What our Saint Benedict medals are like
This is what is stated on our product pages:
- Exclusive Khartes Madrid design. We design them ourselves, Marian and Bárbara.
- Handmade in Spain, piece by piece.
- Zamak with 18K gold plating. We tell you the material and the karat of the plating.
- Natural pearls and stones (pearl, amethyst, tiger's eye, olivine...), which may vary slightly in tone and size: each piece is unique.
- Chain included, gold-plated, 40 cm + 5 cm extender.
- Wrapped for gifting at no extra cost, with shipping that usually arrives in 24–72 h and 14 days to exchange it, with the first exchange free.
Khartes vs. mass-produced medal: the quick comparison
| What to look for | Khartes medal | Mass-produced medal (the usual) |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Original, exclusive to Khartes Madrid | Catalog model that is usually repeated in many stores |
| Manufacturing | Handmade in Spain | Mass-produced, often imported |
| Material | Zamak with 18K gold plating | Often steel or alloy with a "gold finish", without further detail |
| Pearls and stones | Natural, each one different | Frequently crystal, plastic, or resin, all identical |
| Letters and initials | Carefully detailed relief | They usually come out flat or filled in |
| Exchanges | 14 days, first exchange free | Depends on each seller |
How to check it yourself
Before buying a Saint Benedict medal, wherever it may be, we suggest five simple checks:
- Read the product page. A quality medal states what it is made of and what plating it has. If it only says "gold-plated" or "gold color", ask.
- Look for the photo. Do an image search (for example, with Google Lens) of the product photo. If the same medal appears on import platforms for a few euros, you already know where it comes from.
- Look at the letters. The Saint Benedict medal has many small initials around the cross (if you want to know what they mean, we tell you in the meaning of the Saint Benedict medal). The smaller they are, the more the quality shows: on mass-produced pieces they often look blurry or flat.
- Look at the stones. If all the beads are perfectly identical in shape, size, and color, it is most likely that they are not natural.
- Ask who designs it. If a store says "original design", it should be able to tell you who designs it and where it is made.
Our Saint Benedict medals
If you are looking for one that lasts and has a story, here are some of our favorites:
- Saint Benedict with natural pearl: the most classic, only pearls and gold plating; perfect for a baptism or a communion.
- Saint Benedict with natural pearl and pearl-white enamel: all in white and gold.
- Saint Benedict with amethyst: a touch of purple color.
- Saint Benedict with tiger's eye: earth tones, also very suitable for a boy.
- Saint Benedict with olivine: a bright green to inaugurate a house or work.
You can see them all in the collection of Saint Benedict medals, and if you are unsure between one and another, we will help you with our guide the Saint Benedict medal: how to wear and choose it.
The most beautiful medals in the world are at Khartes.
Thank you for reading us and for valuing what is made with love.
Marian and Bárbara
The most beautiful medals are at www.khartesmadrid.com. Follow us on Instagram: @khartesmadrid.