Quick outline:
- What I tried and where I got it
- How each piece felt and aged
- Style notes and little fixes
- Care tips, prices, and my bottom line
First, a tiny confession
I thought “gothic” meant heavy and harsh. Then I put on a blackened silver cross with a small heart. It looked bold, sure. But it also felt calm. Odd, right? Let me explain.
If you want the blow-by-blow diary of the 30-day test, you can read the full report here.
The real pieces I wore (and where I found them)
-
Miraculous Medal, gunmetal chain — Chapel shop at 140 Rue du Bac, Paris
I grabbed a medium medal with raised edges. I swapped the shiny chain for a dark one. The darker metal made the relief pop. The oval sits flat, so it doesn’t flip much. I wore it almost every day. -
Antique silver crucifix with fleur-de-lis tips — Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen, Paris
Mine is about 5 cm long, with soft wear and a smoky patina. The seller said “turn-of-the-century.” Who knows. But the look? French. Sharp. Gothic. It has a tiny, smooth back, so it doesn’t snag sweaters. -
Camargue Cross, blackened silver — a small jeweler in Arles
It’s the cross with anchors and a heart: faith, hope, charity. In matte black, it reads gothic but still sweet. I put it on a short 45 cm chain. It sits at the collarbone and layers well. -
Onyx rosary bracelet with a Saint Michael charm — shop behind Sacré-Cœur, Montmartre
Simple black beads, matte finish, tiny medal. Stretch cord. It looks tough but still reverent. I stacked it with my watch. -
Joan of Arc medal, small and scarred — flea table near Rouen Cathedral
Rough, like it lived a life before me. The edges are smooth from wear. I like how the text is a bit faded. It looks better with a dark chain than with bright.
If you’re hunting online, the small-batch French makers stocked at La Petite France ship worldwide and carry similar dark-patina medals and crosses. For an even wider sweep, check out French Christian Gothic jewelry on Etsy or the thoughtfully assembled Guadalupe Gifts collection — both list pieces that echo the antique mood without the travel.
Another unexpected way I gathered style cues was by watching real people style gothic jewelry live on cam; this review of BongaCams breaks down how to locate HD streams where performers happily chat about their outfits, lighting tricks, and accessory choices in real time.
Likewise, seeing how trans style leaders blend dark cross pendants with modern streetwear can spark more ideas—some of the boldest mixes show up in nightlife photos of Arizona’s high-desert scene at Trans Escort Flagstaff where you can scroll image galleries and pick up layering hacks these pros rely on to keep statement pieces visible and comfortable during long shifts.
How they felt, day to day
The Rue du Bac medal sits light and flat. No “thunk” on the chest when I jog to catch the bus. It peeks out from a tee and looks clean with a blazer.
The Saint-Ouen crucifix is the statement one. It’s not heavy, but it has presence. When I wore it over a black turtleneck, a stranger asked if it was family. I said no, but it feels like it.
The Camargue cross surprised me. I thought it was too themed. Then I wore it to a fall wedding with a simple dress. It was quiet and brave at the same time. Funny how that happens.
The rosary bracelet is comfy. The beads are cool on the skin. It can catch tiny arm hairs, but only a little.
The Joan of Arc medal is the “I woke up late” piece. Toss it on, and I look like I tried.
The gothic part (but make it French)
- Shapes: fleur-de-lis tips, rose-window cutouts, anchors, hearts
- Metal: black rhodium or aged silver, not glossy chrome
- Color: deep blue enamel (think Chartres glass), black onyx, dark chains
- Scale: long pendants, but with clean lines so it doesn’t feel costume-y
You get mood without looking like a movie prop. That balance matters.
Little wins and little fails
What I loved:
- The patina. Dark edges make the art show.
- Flat backs. No sweater snags, no weird flips.
- Real saints. Joan. Michael. Mary. It feels rooted, not random.
What bugged me:
- Black finish wears at the bail after a few weeks. It’s normal, but still.
- The rosary stretch cord will tire. I’ll restring it with wire next time.
- One clasp was tiny. Cold fingers, no chance. I had a jeweler swap it.
Styling that worked for me
- With a hoodie: short Camargue cross on a ribbed tee; hoodie open. Easy.
- With a blazer: Miraculous Medal on a 50 cm chain; it sits just above the lapel roll.
- With a summer dress: Joan of Arc medal on fine dark chain; soft and not fussy.
- With a band tee: big fleur-de-lis crucifix front and center. Let it be loud.
Tip: mix one dark piece with one bright ring or cuff. The contrast reads chic, not heavy.
Care that kept the mood
- Wipe after wear. Sweat dulls black finishes. A quick cloth does wonders.
- Use a Sunshine cloth on silver high spots. Skip the black parts, or they’ll go bright.
- Keep perfume and hairspray away. Spritz, then jewelry.
- Check jump rings. Make sure they’re soldered, not just pressed shut.
- If black rhodium fades, ask a jeweler to re-plate. It’s fast and not pricey.
Tools I used: Sunshine polishing cloth and a soft pouch. That’s it.
How I judged quality (simple checks)
- Edges feel smooth against skin. If it scratches, it stays in the case.
- The pendant back is finished, not rough or hollowed too deep.
- The chain links are soldered. Give a gentle tug.
- Weight feels right. Not tinny, not brick-heavy.
- For silver, I like solid 925. If you see a tiny Minerva head hallmark on French pieces, that’s a good sign.
What I paid (ballpark)
- Miraculous Medal + dark chain: about 45–60 euros
- Antique crucifix at Saint-Ouen: 90 euros after a little haggling
- Camargue cross in Arles: around 120 euros in blackened silver
- Onyx rosary bracelet: 20–30 euros
- Joan of Arc medal: 25 euros
Prices swing with size, age, and the seller. Flea markets can be a deal if you take your time.
Who this is for
- You like a little drama, but you want it rooted in faith and story.
- You want pieces that feel old, even when they’re new.
- You wear black a lot. Or denim. Or both.
Not for you if you want bright, sparkly, zero-patina shine.
Curious about other month-long French style experiments? I also wore French knickers for a month—here’s the real tea—and tried out French-cut panties for an honest take.
One small thing I learned
I thought I had to pick: bold or sacred. Turns out, I didn’t. French Christian gothic jewelry can sit right in the middle. It can be tender and tough. It can be Sunday and Saturday night.
You know what? That mix made me reach for these pieces again and again.
Verdict
Keep the shapes classic. Keep the metal dark. Let the stories show. If you can, try a Miraculous Medal from Rue du Bac, an antique fleur-de-lis crucifix from Saint-Ouen, and a black Camargue cross. Wear them hard. Wipe them down. And let the patina grow with you.