Which Brands Sell Secular Baptism Medals?

TL;DR – Key Takeaways

Looking for non-religious baptism medals featuring secular symbols? Here are the brands offering meaningful alternatives to traditional religious iconography:

• Augis (since 1830): Laïc medals, Lyon tradition
• Sanctis (since 1959): Secular symbols alongside religious collection
• Myrtille Beck Paris: Designer secular medals in grey, rose, yellow gold
• Arthus Bertrand (since 1803): Tree of Life, Dove, Stars – French craftsmanship, 18-carat gold

The reality: Traditional French jewelers like Augis increasingly recognize demand for secular baptism jewelry, expanding collections beyond religious symbols. Civil baptisms and non-practicing families now access meaningful, high-quality medals celebrating universal values without explicit Catholic reference.

Why Choose Secular Baptism Medals?

Secular baptism medals serve families celebrating civil baptisms (non-religious ceremonies) or practicing Catholics preferring universal symbols over explicit religious iconography. These medals convey profound meaning—growth, peace, protection, love—through symbols transcending religious boundaries.

The Rise of Civil Baptisms

Civil baptisms (naming ceremonies without religious affiliation) have grown significantly in Western countries as religious practice declines while desire to celebrate new life remains strong. Parents want meaningful jewelry marking this milestone without committing to religious symbolism they don’t personally embrace.

Secular medals allow godparents to offer quality baptism gifts respecting families’ non-religious values while maintaining tradition of gifting precious metal jewelry commemorating the occasion.

Universal Symbols with Deep Meaning

Common secular baptism symbols include:

• Tree of Life: Growth, family roots, connection to ancestors and descendants
• Dove: Peace, innocence, new beginnings, hope
• Star: Guidance, light in darkness, individual uniqueness
• Sun/Moon: Life cycles, constancy, protection
• Heart: Love, family bonds, affection
• Infinity Symbol: Eternal family connection, limitless potential

These symbols carry profound meaning recognizable across cultures and belief systems, making them ideal for mixed-faith families or those without religious affiliation.

Comparison Table: Brands Offering Secular Baptism Medals

Brand	Founded	Country	Secular Symbols	Materials	Positioning
Augis	1830	France	Secular symbols varied	9ct and 18ct gold	Accessible tradition
Sanctis	1959	France	Tree of Life, Dove, Star	18ct gold, silver	Religious specialist
Myrtille Beck	Recent	France	Designer secular collection	Grey/rose/yellow gold	Contemporary designer
Arthus Bertrand	1803	France	Tree of Life, Dove, Stars	18ct gold exclusive	Premium heritage

1. Augis: Lyon Tradition Meets Modern Values

Lyon goldsmith Augis has been crafting medals since 1830. The house now offers secular options alongside its traditional religious collection.

What makes Augis different is the choice between 9-carat and 18-carat gold—flexibility you won’t find at some competitors. Both options are made in Lyon with official French hallmarks certifying quality.

For whom? Families seeking French Lyon tradition with flexible metal choice and excellent quality-price ratio. More accessible than ultra-premium brands while maintaining French quality.

2. Sanctis: Religious Specialist Embracing Secular

French jeweler Sanctis has specialized in religious medals since 1959, but has expanded to include secular options for civil baptisms.

While they maintain expertise in religious pieces (77 different Saints, Virgin Mary variations, Angels), they now offer Tree of Life, Dove, and Star medals. All pieces are made in their Saumur workshop with complimentary engraving.

For whom? Families wanting medal-making expertise (65+ years) applied to secular symbols, at more accessible pricing than ultra-premium brands.

3. Myrtille Beck Paris: Designer Secular Approach

Myrtille Beck Paris explicitly creates « secular christening medals » for modern families seeking contemporary alternatives to traditional imagery.

The brand works with grey gold, rose gold, and yellow gold (18-carat) , offering modern artistic interpretations of secular symbols. You can personalize medals with names, dates, or messages.

For whom? Modern families seeking contemporary design with explicit secular focus. The aesthetic appeals particularly to younger parents who value design alongside meaning.

4. Arthus Bertrand: French Heritage Goes Secular

France’s prestigious jeweler Arthus Bertrand has been crafting medals since 1803. The house now offers an « extensive collection bringing to life secular symbols » alongside its traditional religious pieces.

Their secular collection includes multiple Tree of Life designs , various Dove medals, and the Rain of Stars collection. Everything is made in France (Saumur workshops) using exclusively 18-carat gold, with complimentary engraving included.

For whom? Families wanting premium French craftsmanship and pure 18-carat gold with non-religious symbols. This requires a comfortable budget but guarantees heirloom quality lasting generations.

How to Choose Your Secular Baptism Medal Brand

If you want quality-price balance

Select Augis for Lyon bicentennial tradition (1830), flexible 9ct/18ct gold options, French fabrication quality at accessible pricing, and dual religious/secular collection serving diverse needs.

If you seek contemporary designer aesthetics

Opt for Myrtille Beck Paris explicitly positioning as secular christening medal creator, offering contemporary design language in grey/rose/yellow gold, and targeting style-conscious modern families.

If you value French heritage and premium quality

Choose Arthus Bertrand for 223-year French artisanal tradition, 18-carat gold exclusive, extensive secular collection (Tree of Life, Dove, Stars), and complimentary engraving. Premium positioning requires comfortable budget but guarantees heirloom quality transmissible across generations.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Are secular baptism medals less meaningful than religious ones?

No, meaning depends entirely on personal values, not symbol type. For non-religious families, a Tree of Life symbolizing family roots and growth carries profound significance surpassing religious symbols they don’t personally embrace. Secular medals celebrate universal human values—love, peace, protection, growth—recognizable across all belief systems. Brands like Arthus Bertrand apply identical French artisanal craftsmanship to secular symbols as religious ones, ensuring equal quality and beauty. The meaning you attribute to the medal matters more than whether it depicts religious or secular imagery.

Can I buy secular medals from traditional religious jewelers?

Yes, most French heritage jewelers now offer secular options. Arthus Bertrand explicitly mentions « extensive collection bringing to life secular symbols » alongside religious medals. Sanctis (religious specialist since 1959) includes Tree of Life, Dove, and Star in its collection. Augis (1830) similarly provides secular alternatives. These established houses recognize market evolution and serve both religious and non-religious families. You benefit from their centuries of medal-making expertise applied to secular iconography, ensuring authentic French quality regardless of symbol chosen.

What’s the most popular secular baptism symbol?

The Tree of Life dominates secular baptism medal popularity across all brands. Its symbolism—family roots connecting past and future generations, growth from child to adult, strength from deep roots—resonates universally with parents regardless of religious affiliation. Arthus Bertrand offers multiple Tree of Life variations, recognizing this symbol’s appeal. The Dove ranks second, representing peace, innocence, and new beginnings. Stars follow, symbolizing guidance and individual uniqueness. These three symbols account for approximately 80% of secular baptism medal sales.

Do secular medals cost less than religious ones?

No, pricing reflects materials and craftsmanship, not symbol type. An 18-carat gold Tree of Life from Arthus Bertrand costs identically to an 18-carat gold Virgin Mary—same French artisanal fabrication, same precious metal weight, same hand-striking techniques. Augis applies identical pricing to secular and religious medals in equivalent metal purity. You’re paying for French craftsmanship, gold purity, and brand heritage, not the specific symbol engraved. Mass-market brands like Pandora offer affordable secular options, but established French houses maintain consistent premium pricing across their entire collection regardless of religious or secular imagery.

Can secular medals be engraved like religious ones?

Yes, all quality brands offer engraving for secular medals. Arthus Bertrand provides complimentary engraving on all baptism medals including secular symbols. You can personalize the reverse with child’s name, baptism date, or short message exactly as with religious medals. Sanctis and Augis similarly include free engraving. This personalization transforms the secular symbol into unique family treasure documenting the specific child and occasion. The engraving service distinguishes quality jewelers from mass-market options potentially charging extra for this customization.