Saphir Medaille d'Or — French Shoe Care, Made Since 1925
Avel SAS, the family-owned company behind Saphir, has been making shoe care products in Le Marais near Paris since 1920. The Medaille d'Or line — gold-medal-winning at the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts — remains the gold standard for premium shoe care worldwide. Used by the master shoemakers of Northampton, the bespoke ateliers of Paris and Milan, and the discerning private collector, Saphir Medaille d'Or is what shoe care should be. English Brands stocks the full Medaille d'Or range alongside Saphir's renowned conditioners, cleaners, and Mirror Gloss.
What we stock
The Saphir range at English Brands covers the full Medaille d'Or shoe care collection:
- Pate de Luxe wax polish — Saphir's flagship polish, available in 30+ colours
- Mirror Gloss — for high-shine and parade-ground finish
- Renovateur — leather conditioner and lotion for restoration
- Cordovan Cream — specialised conditioner for shell cordovan leather
- Suede Spray — colour renovator and protector for suede
- Brushes — horsehair polishing brushes, cleaning brushes
- Cleaners — leather cleaners, saddle soap
Why Saphir
Used by the best — Saphir Medaille d'Or is the polish of choice in the bespoke ateliers of Edward Green, John Lobb, and the master shoemakers of Northampton. When the makers of the world's finest shoes recommend a single shoe care brand, it is consistently Saphir.
Genuine premium formulation — Saphir Medaille d'Or uses pine resin, beeswax, carnauba wax, and natural pigments. The formula nourishes leather and produces a richer, deeper finish than mass-market polishes which rely on petroleum solvents and synthetic dyes.
French heritage — made in Le Marais, Paris, since 1920. Family-owned, with consistent production methods over a century. The brand has resisted dilution despite global success.
Comprehensive range — Saphir covers every shoe care requirement: cleaning, conditioning, polishing, mirror-shining, suede protection, leather restoration. A complete Saphir-equipped shoe care kit can maintain a shoe collection indefinitely.
How to use Saphir products
The standard Saphir polishing routine:
- Clean — brush off surface dirt; for deeper cleaning, apply Renovateur or saddle soap with a soft cloth
- Condition — apply Saphir Renovateur every few weeks to feed the leather. Allow 10 minutes to absorb.
- Polish — apply Pate de Luxe in matching shade with a polishing cloth (microfibre or soft cotton). Work in small circular motions.
- Buff — buff with a clean horsehair brush, then a final pass with a soft cloth or chamois
- Mirror finish (optional) — for parade-ground shine, apply Mirror Gloss over the wax base in tiny amounts with a damp cloth, building gradually
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Saphir better than other shoe polishes? Saphir Medaille d'Or uses natural waxes (pine resin, beeswax, carnauba) and natural pigments rather than petroleum solvents and synthetic dyes. The formula nourishes the leather while providing the shine; mass-market polishes prioritise shine over leather health. The result is a richer, deeper finish and a longer-lasting leather.
What's the difference between Pate de Luxe and Mirror Gloss? Pate de Luxe is the standard wax polish — used for everyday polishing to nourish and shine the leather. Mirror Gloss is a finishing product, used on top of Pate de Luxe to build a high parade-ground shine on toes and heels.
Does Saphir come in every colour? Saphir Medaille d'Or Pate de Luxe is available in 30+ shades, from neutral and white through every common leather tone (cognac, mahogany, dark brown, black) to specialised colours for hand-burnished and antique-finished leathers. If your shoe is an unusual colour, the closest shade plus neutral will usually work; alternatively contact English Brands for advice.
Can I use Saphir on suede? The Pate de Luxe wax polish is not for suede. For suede, use Saphir's separate Suede Spray range — protectors, colour renovators, cleaners specifically formulated for napped leather.
Is Saphir suitable for shell cordovan? Saphir make a specialised Cordovan Cream for shell cordovan leather, which has different care requirements from standard calf leather. Standard wax polish should not be used on cordovan as it clogs the leather's natural finish.
