Saint Eligius Medal Necklace - Patron Saint of Goldsmiths & Metalworkers

Saint Eligius, Patron Saint of Goldsmiths

Eligius was a master goldsmith in 7th century France before he ever became a priest, so skilled that he was appointed royal treasurer and master of the mint under two kings. Tradition holds he could shoe or heal a horse no one else could touch, a story that later made him the patron of farriers and veterinarians as well. He used his wealth to ransom slaves and build monasteries, was eventually made Bishop of Noyon, and spent the rest of his life serving the people of northern France. He remains one of the patron saints most closely tied to the actual craft he practiced before he ever wore vestments.

A Gift For...

• A goldsmith, jeweler, or metalworker at any stage of their trade
• Someone starting an apprenticeship or opening their own workshop
• A confirmation gift for a young man drawn to a saint who worked with his hands
• Anyone who believes a trade can be a genuine calling, not just a job
• A retirement gift for someone who spent a life at the bench
• Anyone named Eligius or Eloi, for a birthday or personal milestone

A Confirmation Gift for Eligius

A young man drawn to a trade, and to a saint whose faith and craft were never separate, tends to land on Eligius. Engrave a name and confirmation date on the back.

The Saint Eligius Medal

This medal depicts Eligius in bishop's dress, hammer in hand, a working craftsman even in his vestments. The natural gold or silver of the metal forms the illustration itself. Black ink is applied to the pendant surface and the metal shows through as the image. A shatterproof liquid glass coating seals the surface. Eligius is also the patron saint of veterinarians and of horses, shown in a separate composition on this site.

Personalization and Engraving

The optional engraving on the reverse is rendered in Tangerine cursive. Two lines, up to 20 characters each. Most people engrave a name, a date, or the trade itself.

Saint Eligius's feast day is December 1. He spent his life at the bench and at the altar, and never treated either one as more important than the other.