Two Sacramentals, One Layered Necklace Set

A meaningful layered necklace set that brings together two of the most cherished sacramentals in Catholic tradition: the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on a shorter chain, and the Saint Benedict medal on a longer chain. Worn together, the two chains stack naturally at the collarbone — the scapular medals resting above, the Saint Benedict medal hanging just below.

The set combines two craft traditions from two countries. The Saint Benedict medal is handcrafted in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico — one of the historic centers of Catholic devotional metalwork — in gold-filled construction, substantially more durable than standard gold plating. The scapular component, featuring genuine mother-of-pearl medals of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Sacred Heart of Jesus on an 18K gold-plated box chain, is designed by Guadalupe Gifts and manufactured in China to our specifications, independently tested for safety.

Why You'll Love It

• Two cherished sacramentals — the Brown Scapular and the Saint Benedict medal — are designed to layer naturally
• Saint Benedict medal handcrafted in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
• Gold-filled construction on the Saint Benedict medal — far more durable than gold plating, with the look of solid gold
• Genuine mother-of-pearl medals on the scapular component — each one naturally unique
• REACH-certified safe — scapular component independently tested and passes European standards for lead, cadmium, and nickel release
• Can be worn together as a layered set or separately
• A meaningful Catholic gift for Confirmation, Quinceañera, graduation, Mother's Day, or any milestone

About the Two Sacramentals

The Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

The two small rectangular pendants on the shorter chain reflect the front and back panels of the traditional Brown Scapular cloth. Our Lady of Mount Carmel appears on one panel — the image historically placed on the front of the scapular, resting over the chest. The Sacred Heart of Jesus appears on the other side — the image historically placed on the back, resting between the shoulders. The pendants are crafted from genuine mother-of-pearl, giving them a soft, naturally iridescent quality against the gold-plated chain.

The Saint Benedict Medal from Guadalajara

The medal on the longer chain is the traditional Saint Benedict medal — one of the oldest and most widely worn medals in Catholic tradition, associated with spiritual protection. The front shows Saint Benedict holding the Rule of his order and the cross. The reverse shows the Cross of Saint Benedict surrounded by the Latin abbreviations of the traditional prayer of protection (CSPB, CSSML, NDSMD, VRSNSMV, SMQLIVB).

This medal is handcrafted in Guadalajara, Jalisco — the seat of one of the oldest archdioceses in the Americas (founded in 1548) and a city with a long tradition of producing devotional metalwork for Mexican parishes, homes, and pilgrims throughout western Mexico.

Why Gold-Filled Matters

The Saint Benedict medal in this set is gold-filled, not gold-plated. The two are often confused, but they are very different:

• Gold plating is a thin layer of gold deposited onto a base metal, often as thin as a fraction of a micron, and typically wears off in one to three years
• Gold-filled construction uses a thick layer of gold mechanically bonded to the base metal under heat and pressure, with at least 5% of the total weight in real gold.

With normal care, gold-filled jewelry holds its appearance for decades and looks nearly indistinguishable from solid gold in everyday wear. This makes the Saint Benedict medal the heirloom-grade element of this set.

Dimensions & Specifications

• Scapular chain length: 16" + 2" extender (adjustable, 16"–18")
• Saint Benedict chain length: 18" (fixed)
• Scapular pendant size: 0.4" × 0.3" (each)
• Saint Benedict medal size: 0.4" × 0.4"
• Saint Benedict construction: Gold-filled, with traditional iconography on both sides
• Saint Benedict origin: Handcrafted in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
• Scapular construction: Genuine mother-of-pearl medals on an 18K gold-plated copper alloy box chain
• Scapular origin: Designed by Guadalupe Gifts, manufactured in China
• Closures: Lobster clasps on both chains
• Safety certification: Scapular component independently tested and passes European REACH standards for lead, cadmium, and nickel release
• Packaging: White gift box, ready for gifting

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this set be blessed?
Yes. Like all sacramentals, both the scapular and the Saint Benedict medal can be blessed by any Catholic priest or deacon. Most parishes will bless devotional items after Mass at no cost — bring them with you and ask. The Book of Blessings includes specific forms for blessing scapulars and medals, including a specific blessing for the Saint Benedict medal. The set ships unblessed, as Church teaching requires that sacramentals not be sold in a blessed state.

What is the Saint Benedict medal traditionally associated with?
The Saint Benedict medal is one of the oldest sacramentals in continuous use in the Catholic Church. It is traditionally associated with spiritual protection — against temptation, against evil influences, and as a guardian of the home and family. Many Catholics wear the medal continuously or place it in their homes, especially over doorways or in bedrooms. The Latin abbreviations on the reverse spell out a traditional prayer of protection that has been part of Benedictine tradition for centuries.

What is the difference between gold-filled and gold-plated?
Gold-plated jewelry has a thin layer of gold electroplated onto a base metal — typically a fraction of a micron thick — that wears off over time. Gold-filled jewelry has a much thicker layer of gold mechanically bonded to the base metal under heat and pressure, with U.S. requirements specifying a minimum of 5% of the total weight in real gold. Gold-filled is significantly more durable than gold-plated and can last for decades with proper care. In this set, the Saint Benedict medal is gold-filled, while the scapular component is gold-plated.

Where is each piece made?
The Saint Benedict medal is handcrafted in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, by artisans working in one of the oldest centers of Catholic devotional metalwork in the Americas. The scapular component is designed by Guadalupe Gifts and manufactured in China to our specifications. Independently tested and certified to meet European REACH safety standards for lead, cadmium, and nickel release. We clearly disclose our origin because transparency matters to us.

Is the mother-of-pearl real?
Yes. The scapular medals are crafted from genuine mother-of-pearl, the natural iridescent inner layer of mollusk shell. Because it's a natural material, every medal has its own unique luminosity, grain, and subtle color variation — no two are exactly alike.

Does wearing a scapular necklace count as wearing the traditional Brown Scapular?
This is a question best directed to a Catholic priest. The traditional Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is made of two pieces of brown wool worn over the shoulders, and Carmelite tradition holds that the wool scapular itself confers the indulgences and promises associated with the devotion. A scapular necklace like this one is widely worn by faithful Catholics as a daily reminder of devotion and a visible expression of faith — many wear both.

Can I wear the two chains separately?
Yes. The set is designed to be worn together as a layered look, but each chain has its own clasp and can be worn independently. Some wearers alternate between the two depending on the occasion, or wear the Saint Benedict medal alone for daily protection and add the scapular chain for special occasions.

Is this part of your Signature Collections?
The Saint Benedict medal, handcrafted in Guadalajara from gold-filled metal, reflects the heirloom-grade craftsmanship of our Signature Collections. The scapular component is part of our accessible everyday-wear line. Together, this set offers exceptional value — pairing heirloom-grade craftsmanship with accessible craftsmanship in one meaningful piece.

The Guadalupe Gifts Promise

Guadalupe Gifts® is a family-owned Catholic business founded by the Valerio family in Weston, Florida — rooted in the Mexican tradition of devotional craftsmanship, where every piece carries the significance of its origins.

We curate Catholic jewelry across two tiers: an accessible everyday collection for daily wear and gifting, and our Signature Collections of heirloom pieces — including Miraculous Medals sourced from the Chapel at Rue du Bac in Paris, Guadalupe 1804 medals cast from an original 1804 mold, Gold Scapulars, and Certified Basilica Art officially certified by the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Every piece in our catalog is curated and authenticated at the source. We guarantee the authenticity of each component, offer money-back returns within 30 days, and provide 2-day shipping on all U.S. orders. Read our story →

Product Care

The two pieces in this set have different care needs.

The Saint Benedict medal, being gold-filled, is the more forgiving of the two. With basic care, it will hold its appearance for years — keep it dry, avoid contact with perfumes and chlorine, and store it in a soft pouch when not worn.

The scapular component is gold-plated and requires more attention:

• Remove before showering, swimming, sleeping, or exercising
• Apply perfume, lotion, and hairspray before putting it on
• Wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth after wear
• Store both chains in the original white box or a soft pouch, ideally separated to prevent tangling or scratching the mother-of-pearl medals.

Explore our full collection of Catholic scapular jewelry for women and our Saint Benedict medals.