Barbara was the beautiful daughter of a pagan named Dioscorus, who converted to Christianity against her father's will. Enraged by her strong religious faith, Dioscorus built a stone tower surrounded by a deep moat to imprison Barbara, then sent in teachers to instruct her in pagan practices. These efforts proved fruitless, however; one day, in her father's absence, she persuaded a local stonemason to carve a third window in the tower - her way of honoring the Holy Trinity. When Dioscorus returned, he was so angry he ordered Barbara to be publicly beheaded. When the executioner hesitated, he took the sword in hand and did it himself. At the very moment of martyrdom, a thunderbolt struck Dioscorus, reducing him to a pile of ashes.

St Barbara is the patron of architects, builders, storms, ammunitions workers, fireworks, warehouses and impenitence. Her feast day is December 4.

This penny-sized sterling silver medal is rich in detail, representing significant events of Barbara's life: a chalice with host, symbolizing her Christian faith; a pickaxe, representing the construction of her prison; a sword, the means of her death. A tower and lightning bolt can be seen in the background, and raised block lettering forms Barbara's name. The diamond-cut accents add sparkle to the medal, and the rhodium-plated 18 inch chain resists tarnishing. Packaged in a green velvet hinged gift box.