2002–2014 design
The design and sample of the Order were approved by the Government of Armenia on October 3, 2002, and ratified by the President on October 16, 2002. The Order is an equal-armed cross with semicircular openings 5 mm long and deep on each side. The cross measures 55 mm diagonally and weighs approximately 50 grams. It is made of 925 sterling silver, with the portrait of Vardan Mamikonian made of gold.
The decoration is set with nine blue sapphires of varying sizes. At the center of the cross, inside a 15.6 mm diameter circle with a silver background, is the portrait of Vardan Mamikonian facing right. Surrounding the medallion, on a 6 mm wide gold-plated background, are inscriptions in 925 silver: "SPARAPET" (Commander) above and "VARDAN MAMIKONIAN" below.
The frame of 27 mm diameter around the medallion is divided into four sections, each decorated with laurel branches. The space between the laurel branches and the edge is covered with a light sky-blue enamel layer. From the bottom tip of the cross extends a double ribbon running diagonally upwards and to the left from the right arm. At the ends of the right, left, and bottom arms, there are three-ringed loops resembling spearheads.
Within the three large loops (5 mm diameter) are two sapphires each, and within the two smaller loops (4 mm diameter) is a one-carat sapphire. The entire edge of the cross is outlined with a 1.5 mm gold band. The reverse side of the Order is smooth, with the serial number engraved above the fastening button.
The ribbon bar measures 24 x 12 mm and has a silver background with an 8 mm apricot-colored stripe in the center.
Current design
Since August 9, 2014, the design of the Order has been defined by a Presidential decree. The current description remains largely the same: an equal-armed cross with 5 mm long and deep semicircular openings on each side, measuring 55 mm diagonally and weighing 50 grams. Made of 925 sterling silver, the gold-plated portrait of Vardan Mamikonian is at the center on a silver medallion with the inscriptions "SPARAPET" above and "VARDAN MAMIKONIAN" below.
The 27 mm diameter frame with laurel branches and light sky-blue enamel remains unchanged. The double ribbon with three spearhead-shaped loops at the ends is still present, with sapphires set similarly. The edges have a 1.5 mm gold band. The reverse side is numbered. The ribbon bar is metal, 25 x 10 mm, silver with an 8 mm apricot stripe in the center. [2]
Armenia 