Enough about me, let's talk about medallions!
Medallions often make an ideological statement while remaing effortlessly simple. But they are also surprisingly beautiful.
I've got a small collection from vintage to religious that always look perfect with a sundress or a plain tee. Here's a couple I love (some of which I have)--I like to write about what I know firsthand so I can vouch for the quality on some of this.
Even though I grew up in a Jewish household, I was always swayed by the ornate dressings of Catholicism. (Yes, that did make my parents very happy! Why do you ask?) Anyhow, as a teen I started to choose Saints based on their qualifications and wore the medals (often called devotional medals) associated with them. Some of them are very modern and art deco-looking. I have one of St. Cecilia, sometimes called St. Cecile, who is the patron saint of:
composers, martyrs, music, musicians, musical instrument makers, archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska, poets, singers
(I have the last one.)
At the time, I was very into dating musicians.
Aesthically alone, they are really beautifully designed. Beyond looks, however, I think there is a residual emotion/ faith/ superstition that the wearer inherits, no matter what their beliefs may be. I like that.
St. Blaise also makes an impression:
Patron saint of: medical technicians, scientists, universal Church
Here are a few pieces by Canadian husband and wife jewelers Pyrrha:
Seal reads “Spero” which means “Hope” in Latin. Lions symbolize courage. $95
Fox represents someone who will use all of his wit and wisdom in his defense. $183
Wings and Wheat Pendant: The wings signify protection, and the wheat represents the achievement of hopes and dreams (the harvest). $101
Wings of Friendship Pendant: Seal is a rebus, and reads “May the (wings) of friendship never lose a (feather)”. $112
The line, which is gorgeous and breathtaking etc. is cast in sterling from wax seals. I hinted broadly towards the bf for the lion and received it last year. I wear it more often than probably anything else.
I was going to add some more things medallion shaped, but this is quite a long post already! I'd like to add, though, that everything posted today also comes in men's versions (Pyrrha has a men's line, but above are things pulled from the women's line). Men's jewelry is rarely talked about (compared to the ladies, anyhow), but I think medallion styles are a good way for a guy to go if he's got a hankering for jewelry. It's classic and intriguing--something all the girls love, I think...
