[2] The medal, designed by Patrick O'Callaghan, is two inches in overall size and made in silver gilt and enamels.

This is surrounded by a royal blue enamel circular band with base metal (i.e. silver gilt) piping on both circumferences and contains the wording "SERVICE TO SOLOMON ISLANDS" in raised silver gilt lettering.

The medal is awarded with individual metal cases covered with blue rexine and lined with green velvet.

All the awards in the Order of Solomon Islands are of the "neck hanging" variety, and are not accompanied with lapel pins.

As the majority of the population of Solomon Islands live outside the capital city in rural areas, and in a hot and humid tropical climate, it is very acceptable for men to wear little if any clothing on the top half of their bodies.