Size Maltese Cross: 15.8mm

Weight (Silver): 3.6g / 7g

Material: .925 Sterling Silver

Enamel: EFCOLOR Transparent Red

Finding:

Either .925 Clutch Back (NOT Handmade)

Or Handmade screw back with nut (for thicker materials and a safer closure)

Come in smart Red Leatherette Box with a Certificate from the Malta Crafts Council and a leaflet (shown) explaining the history of the cross.

All our items are individually hand crafted and will therefore be unique. As such they may vary slightly from the picture shown.

Not all lengths/sizes of the same item are stocked and that it may not be possible to post the next day. So, if necessary, please allow an extra 7 days for these items to be hand crafted for you.

All weights are extrapolated.

Introduced to Malta by the Knights of St. John, the Maltese Cross has become an intrinsic part of Malta’s culture and heritage, as well as a symbol treasured by the Maltese.

The adoption by the Order of the white eight-pointed cross on the Knights’ black civil habit came about immediately after the Siege of Malta of 1565, and just after the commencement of the building of the new city of Valletta in 1566. The colours displayed its monastic religious origin, at first on the left shoulder, then and finally on the breast, or on both.

It was only many years later, especially in the 18th century under Grand Masters Perellos and Pinto that a change in colours came about: a white eight-pointed cross on a red field on the military Knights’ uniforms, and on a similar lateen sail of the Order’s galleys and ships-of-the-line in their later years. Hence the eight-pointed cross of the Hospitallers evolved significantly during the Order’s 268-year sojourn in Malta.

Similarly the meaning of what the eight points of the cross represent has changed over the years. Originally a symbol of the “Christian warrior”, its eight points denoted the eight obligations or aspirations of the knights, namely “to live in truth, have faith, repent one’s sins, give proof of humility, love justice, be merciful, be sincere and whole­hearted, and to endure persecution”.

Later the eight points came to symbolize the eight beatitudes: Observant, Tactful, Resourceful, Dextrous, Explicit, Discriminating, Persevering and Sympathetic.

With time, the eight points also came to represent the eight “langues” of the noblemen who were admitted to the order, namely those of Auvergne, Provence, France, Aragon, Castille & Portugal, Italy, Baviere (Germany), and England (with Scotland and Ireland)

The Maltese cross remains the symbol of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, which is still active as an international organisation offering medical and humanitarian aid. Also, since Malta’s Independence in 1964 it has been used as the civil and maritime ensign.

• Negative of Maltese Cross pattern is laser printed on blue PnP paper.
• The negative is then heat transferred onto a polished silver sheet.
• Silver sheet is suspended upside down in Ferric Nitrate Solution.
• Exposed areas of the pattern are etched away over a period of hours.
• When the desired depth is reached the patterns are punched out.
• Item is constructed, sanded down, cleaned and polished.
• Colour is added by applying EFCOLOR enamel to the etched areas.
• Enameling is repeated 2 or 3 times to get desired depth.
• Item is cleaned of excess enamel and given a final thorough polish.

 Manufacturer Details:

•Andrew Vella Montague

•32/3 Triq K. Zerafa. Birkirkara, BKR1712, Malta

•info@avmjewellery.com

Core Safety Warnings:

•Choking / Ingestion Hazard: "Warning: Small parts. Not suitable for children under 3 years"

•Strangulation Hazard: "Warning: Strangulation hazard. Keep necklaces and long chains away from young children and do not leave them unattended".

•Sharp Edges / Physical Injury: "Handle with care. Earring backs, posts, or damaged edges may be sharp and cause scratches".

•Skin Sensitivity: "Contains copper or silver alloys; people with specific metal sensitivities should monitor their skin and discontinue use if irritation or redness occurs"

•Skin Sensitivity: “Contains fully cured resin; skin-safe for most people, individual sensitivities vary. Discontinue use immediately if skin irritation, redness, or discomfort occurs."

•Physical Activity: "Remove jewellery before intense physical exercise, sports, or heavy work to avoid injury or damage to the piece".

Care and Maintenance Instructions:

•Chemical Exposure: Avoid contact with perfumes, lotions, cosmetics, hairsprays, chlorinated water, and harsh household detergents/cleaners which can tarnish or corrode sterling silver

•Heat exposure: Resin is heat treated and may be damaged if exposed to heat.

•Daily Routines: Remove rings and jewellery before bathing, swimming, washing hands, or sleeping.

•Cleaning and Storage: Clean gently with a dry, soft silver-polishing cloth. Avoid abrasive brushes or harsh chemical dips. Store in a dry, dark place (like a closed jewellery box or anti-tarnish pouch) to minimize oxidation.