Medal, Shield or Ring: How to Choose Your St Michael Piece (7 Picks)

A St Michael medal is worn by men and women alike, and the styles vary more than most people expect. This guide is for anyone choosing one, for themselves or as a gift: we compare a classic medal, two round medals, three shield pendants and a signet ring, with the real sizes and materials of each.

Quick answer: Our pick overall is The Saint Michael Medal: stainless steel, silver, gold or black, and fine in the shower. For a small, quiet medal, The Saint Michael Prayer (16 mm). For a man who wants the archangel to be seen, the red enamel Saint Michael Crest; for a man who wears no chain, The Saint Michael Signet, a steel ring in US 7 to 15.

Below, each piece comes with the facts that matter: the material (stainless steel or alloy, and what that means for water), the size when we have it, and the chain or cord it comes on. Every necklace here includes its chain or cord.

Already know the style you want? Browse all our Saint Michael necklaces.

At a Glance: Compare the 7 Saint Michael Picks

Here are the seven pieces side by side, so you can see the material and size before reading the details.

Piece	Material and size	Price
The Saint Michael Medal Best Overall	Stainless steel, 20 x 39 mm medal, 55 cm wheat chain + 5 cm	From $89.99
The Angelic Protector Best Round Steel Medal	Stainless steel, round Saint Michael medal, snake chain	From $79.99
The Saint Michael Prayer Best Small Medal	Alloy, 16 mm round medal, 46 cm chain + 5 cm, 5 g	From $69.99
The Saint Michael Crest Best Color Shield	Alloy and red enamel, about 24 x 35 mm, 50 cm twist chain	From $99.99
The Saint Michael Shield Best Statement Pendant	Alloy, silver-tone with gold and red accents, 50 cm chain	From $99.99
The Archangel Michael Shield Best on a Cord	Alloy shield, antiqued silver or bronze tone, braided cord	From $89.99
The Saint Michael Signet Best Ring	Stainless steel signet, antiqued finish, US sizes 7 to 15	From $79.99

A gift with every piece: Every order that includes a piece of jewelry comes with The Mustard Seed Bracelet as a gift: it is added to your cart automatically and costs nothing (it normally sells for $49.99).

The 7 Picks in Detail

1. The Saint Michael Medal: Best Overall

Best for: Anyone who wants one medal to wear every day, in the shower too.

This is the classic St Michael medal: Saint Michael the Archangel on an oval medal in polished stainless steel. It measures 20 mm wide and 39 mm tall with the bail (0.8 x 1.5 in), and it is 1.8 mm thick, so it has a real presence without being heavy. The whole necklace weighs 21 g.

It comes on a 2.5 mm wheat chain, 55 cm long with a 5 cm extender, so the medal sits at the collarbone or a little lower. Being stainless steel, it can go in the shower, the gym and the sea: the steel will not rust or turn your skin green. Silver is traditional, gold is warmer, black suits a man who prefers something darker.

• Polished stainless steel in silver, gold or black
• Medal 20 x 39 mm with the bail, 1.8 mm thick, 21 g in all
• 2.5 mm wheat chain, 55 cm + 5 cm extender, safe in the shower

See The Saint Michael Medal, from $89.99. Silver, gold or black.

2. The Angelic Protector: Best Round Steel Medal

Best for: Someone who prefers a round medal on a smooth chain, worn daily.

The Angelic Protector shows Saint Michael the Archangel on a round medal, hung on a smooth round snake chain. It is polished stainless steel in a silver or gold finish, and its look is quieter than the oval medal above: a simple disc, a clean chain, nothing to snag.

Like every steel piece in this guide, it can stay on in the shower and at the gym, and it suits men and women alike. The listing gives no medal diameter or chain length, so check the worn photos to judge the size.

• Polished stainless steel, silver or gold finish
• Round medal of Saint Michael on a round snake chain
• Unisex, made for everyday wear, water included

See The Angelic Protector, from $79.99. Silver or gold.

3. The Saint Michael Prayer: Best Small Medal

Best for: A first medal, a confirmation, or anyone who wants it discreet.

The Saint Michael Prayer is the small one: a 16 mm round medal showing Saint Michael with raised sword and open wings, framed by the words St. Michael Pray For Us. The antique silver-tone finish has darkened relief, so the archangel and the lettering stay easy to read.

It weighs 5 g and comes on a fine link chain, 46 cm with a 5 cm extender, close at the collarbone. Note that it is alloy, not stainless steel: take it off before swimming or showering. A gentle choice for a young person or a confirmation.

• Antique silver-tone alloy, electroplated
• 16 x 16 mm medal with St. Michael Pray For Us, 5 g
• 46 cm chain + 5 cm extender; remove before showering

See The Saint Michael Prayer, from $69.99.

4. The Saint Michael Crest: Best Color Shield

Best for: A man in a demanding role who wants a pendant with color.

The Saint Michael Crest is a shield of deep red enamel framed in antiqued silver tone. Saint Michael stands over the red dragon, gold-tone wings spread, a cross above his head: the scene from Revelation where Michael and his angels defeat the dragon. Three tones on one piece make it the most striking design here.

The shield measures about 24 x 35 mm and the necklace weighs about 11.5 g, lighter than it looks, on a 50 cm twist chain that rests at the collarbone. It is alloy and enamel, so take it off before swimming or showering. A strong gift for a son, a brother or a friend in a demanding job.

• Antiqued silver-tone alloy, gold-tone wings, red enamel
• About 24 x 35 mm, 11.5 g in all
• 50 cm twist chain; remove before showering

See The Saint Michael Crest, from $99.99.

5. The Saint Michael Shield: Best Statement Pendant

Best for: A father, a husband or a godson who likes detailed relief.

The Saint Michael Shield shows the archangel armored inside a shield-shaped frame, wings open, sword lowered over the dragon at his feet. A small gold-tone cross sits at the top, and a deep red background sets the figure off. There is also a small red cubic zirconia at the bail.

It is a raised pendant made to be seen on the chest, on a 50 cm chain. It is electroplated alloy, so take it off before swimming or showering. Choose it over the Crest if you prefer silver-tone relief with touches of color to a full enamel face.

• Alloy, silver-tone with gold-tone and red accents
• Shield-shaped frame, small red cubic zirconia at the bail
• 50 cm chain; remove before showering

See The Saint Michael Shield, from $99.99.

6. The Archangel Michael Shield: Best on a Cord

Best for: A man who wants a rugged look and a choice of designs.

The Archangel Michael Shield is the only piece here on a black braided cord instead of a metal chain. Saint Michael is in relief, winged and armed, with a small cross on the bail. You choose among three designs (studded shield, sword and shield, or folded wings), each in antiqued silver-tone or bronze-tone.

Darkened recesses bring out the wings, armor and cross, and the cord gives it a casual feel. It is alloy, so take it off before swimming or showering. A good fit for a man who never wears a chain but will wear a cord.

• Antiqued silver-tone or bronze-tone alloy
• Three designs: studded shield, sword and shield, folded wings
• Black braided cord; remove before showering

See The Archangel Michael Shield, from $89.99. 3 designs, silver or bronze tone.

7. The Saint Michael Signet: Best Ring

Best for: A man who will not wear a necklace, or wants both.

The Saint Michael Signet is a deep-relief signet: Saint Michael, wings open and sword raised, standing over the fallen adversary. A sculpted rim surrounds the wide, heavy face, with crosses and feathers carved on the shoulders.

It is stainless steel with a brushed, darkened finish, so it can be worn daily, even in the shower. Sizes run from US 7 to US 15. A natural gift for a soldier, a first responder, a father, or a young man taking Michael as his confirmation saint.

• Stainless steel, brushed and antiqued silver-tone
• Archangel over the adversary, crosses and feathers on the sides
• US sizes 7 to 15, safe in the shower

See The Saint Michael Signet, from $79.99. US 7 to 15.

Medal, Shield, Archangel Pendant or Signet: Which Style Fits?

All seven pieces show the same saint, but they are worn in very different ways. Think first about how much the person likes to be seen and whether the piece will stay on all day.

A medal is the most traditional form and the easiest to wear under a shirt. A shield is larger and made to show, with the dragon scene in relief or enamel. A pendant on a cord reads casual and rugged. A signet ring is for the man who never wears a necklace, or who wants a second sign of faith he can see on his hand.

Stainless Steel or Alloy: What Can Go in the Shower

Three pieces here are stainless steel: The Saint Michael Medal, The Angelic Protector and The Saint Michael Signet. They can be worn in the shower, at the gym and at the beach, and the steel will not rust or turn the skin green. If the medal will never come off, choose one of these.

The four others (the Prayer, the Crest, the Shield and the Archangel Michael Shield) are alloy. That is what gives them their detailed relief, enamel color and antiqued look, but the finish needs care: take them off before swimming or showering, and keep them away from perfume and hairspray. Our guide on whether stainless steel tarnishes explains the difference.

How to Choose a St Michael Medal

Start with how it will be worn, then look at size and material. A medal worn day and night under a uniform has different needs from a shield worn on Sunday. For a gift, chain length and the water question matter more than the finish.

Saint Michael is the archangel who defeats the dragon in Revelation, and he is traditionally invoked by police officers, soldiers and others who protect people. For many, the medal is a sign of trust in his protection and a daily reminder to stand firm. If you want the story behind the symbol before you buy, read our article on the spiritual meaning of Archangel Michael.

What to check	Why it matters	Our advice
Material	Steel takes water; alloy needs to come off before the shower	Never taking it off? Choose stainless steel
Size	A large shield shows; a small medal hides under a collar	16 mm for discreet, 20 x 39 mm for a classic medal, shield to be seen
Chain length	Decides where the medal rests	46 cm + 5 cm sits close; 50 to 60 cm falls lower on the chest
Finish	Silver, gold, black or antiqued relief change the look	Black or antiqued for a darker style, silver for tradition
Who wears it	Some pieces suit both men and women, some are built for men	Medal or round medal for anyone; shields and the signet for men

• For a police officer or first responder who works in all conditions: steel, like The Saint Michael Medal
• For a confirmation under Michael's name: the small Saint Michael Prayer or the Signet
• Not sure about length? Our guide on what size chain for men helps

For a traveler, our guide on how to choose a St Christopher necklace compares medals, a coin and two rings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Final Recommendation

If you want one St Michael medal that will stay on every day, choose The Saint Michael Medal: stainless steel, a clear 20 x 39 mm image of the archangel, a wheat chain with extender, and a finish in silver, gold or black. For something smaller, go with The Saint Michael Prayer; for a bold gift, The Saint Michael Crest; for the man who wears no chain, The Saint Michael Signet.

Every order comes with free tracked shipping, 30-day returns and a one-year warranty, and the bracelet we include with your order makes the gift a little bigger.

To compare every piece side by side, see all our Saint Michael necklaces.

Every order that includes a piece of jewelry comes with The Mustard Seed Bracelet as a gift: it is added to your cart automatically and costs nothing (it normally sells for $49.99).