The story of the 1531 Guadalupe apparition of the Virgin Mother Mary is one of the most fascinating in all of Catholic lore. According to accounts, a poor Indian by the name of Juan Diego came across a vision of what he described as a 'lady from heaven' while on a mountainside in Northwest Mexico City. According to Diego, this woman instructed him to create a temple at the site of this vision.

In addition, she somehow imprinted her likeness into his cactus-cloth. Although such cloth normally deteriorates rapidly over time, Diego's cloth survives to this day, more than 470 years after the apparition, in defiance of scientific rationale. Today, the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe is one of the most important Catholic churches in the Western hemisphere. All told, more than 10 million people visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe every year.

Pope John Paul II, for his part, made pilgrimages to this Mexican sanctuary four times during his tenure as the leader of the Catholic Church. In honor of this important symbol of the religion, many devout jewelry makers have crafted fine Our Lady of Guadalupe medals. These Our Lady of Guadalupe medals are often made of fine silver and gold, although you can find much simpler images of the Lady of Guadalupe in pewter and brass, as well.

Our Lady of Guadalupe medals are thought to bring wearers good fortune, piety, and grace. As with the so-called Miraculous Medal, which stirred religious feeling in 19th century France, the Our Lady of Guadalupe medal has helped to focus Catholic passions in Latin America.