Cleopatra Molten Gold Pendant
Free shipping and returns
100% recycled solid gold or vermeil
2 year warranty
Fairly made, fairly priced
Cleopatra, the last queen of Ancient Egypt, remains an enigma, a blend of allure, intelligence, and political acumen. Born into the Ptolemaic dynasty, she was not merely a ruler but a force of nature who shaped the course of history.
Navigating the turbulent waters of politics and alliances, Cleopatra's reign was marked by her relationships with two of Rome's most powerful figures: Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Yet, to reduce her legacy to mere romances would be an injustice. She was a linguist, a naval commander, and an administrative genius who sought to elevate Egypt to its former glory.
Her intelligence was legendary. Fluent in multiple languages and well-versed in various disciplines, Cleopatra was more than just a seductive figure; she was a scholar and a diplomat. Her reign saw economic prosperity, and she was instrumental in implementing policies that benefited her kingdom.
However, Cleopatra's life was also marred by political intrigue, warfare, and betrayal. Her relationships with Roman leaders not only defined her reign but also led to her tragic end. Julius Caesar fell in love with her for her wit and intelligence, and even brought her and their son to Rome, causing a scandal. After Caesar's assassination, Cleopatra formed an alliance and romance with his second-in-commend, Mark Antony.
When Caesar's heir, Octavian, challenged Antony in a brutal civil war, he branded Cleopatra as a foreign seductress who was bewitching Antony with her Eastern ideals. Following a naval defeat at Actium, Cleopatra and Antony retreated to Egypt where they awaited Octavian's encroaching forces. Surrounded in Alexandria, Antony committed suicide and Cleopatra was faced with the idea of being humiliated in a Roman triumphal parade. She rejected this future, and ended her life with a snakebite in one of history's most famous episodes.
Unlike historically inaccurate modern depictions of Cleopatra in a large headdress, this pendant is based on an authentic bust of Cleopatra from her lifetime, now known as the 'Berlin Cleopatra', featuring her iconic profile and famed 'melon' hairstyle.
About Solid Gold ✨
Solid gold is the best option if you:
1. Want to wear your piece forever or pass it down as an heirloom. Solid gold will last for centuries without degrading.
2. Want to invest in jewelry as an asset rather than an accessory. Gold traditionally appreciates in value and can always be melted down and made into a new piece
Unlike many brands, our gold is never hollow - it is always 100% solid, cast using the lost wax method, meaning there is a lot more gold in each piece.
Our gold is 100% certified recycled and each piece is handcrafted here in New York.
Product Details
When will my piece ship? 🚚
Gold Vermeil pieces ship same day or next business day.
We keep a small inventory of solid gold pieces - please check about the 'Add to Cart' button to see if your piece is in stock.
If not, it will display the estimated ship time so that we can custom make it for you in our NYC studio.
What does Traditional Retail Price mean? 💸
Most brands sell through boutiques and department stores, where the pricing model is usually a 2 - 4x markup from their wholesale price. For example, the jewelry brand sells the piece to the store for $1000, and then the store sells it to you for $2,500.
Because Common Era sells directly from our studio, we can give our customers the same pricing we would be giving to wholesale stores.
About Gold Vermeil
Gold Vermeil, pronounced ver-may, is a french term for a style of gold plating that is regulated by the federal government. Unlike "gold plated" jewelry, vermeil must always be on a solid 925 sterling silver base - rather than brass - with at least 2.5 microns thickness of gold. This is 3 times thicker than normal gold plating.
This makes vermeil a longer lasting product than gold plated jewelry, as well as more valuable because it's composed entirely of precious metals.
FAQ
When will my order ship?
All pieces except for made-to-order solid gold will ship within 24 hours on business days.
Solid gold orders ship from our NYC studio and the time to ship is indicated above the "Add to cart" button on those pieces.
What if my piece is lost in the mail?
This is in incredibly rare, but if it happens we will make it right with a free replacement.
Solid gold pieces are always shipped with signature required to ensure this doesn't happen.
Does your jewelry come in a box or a pouch?
Both! Our packaging is made in Chicago and consists of a peach-colored vegan suede pouch in a branded box, so they’re easy to wrap up as gifts.
The Making of a Molten Gold Ring
Each solid gold piece is made in our New York City studio from 100% recycled 14 karat gold. Come behind the bench as we craft a Molten Medusa Ring
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