Livia Molten Gold Pendant
Free shipping and returns
100% recycled solid gold or vermeil
2 year warranty
Fairly made, fairly priced
Livia, also known as Livia Drusilla or Livia Augusta, was the first Roman Empress. As the wife of Augustus, she was a trusted advisor and actively involved in political affairs as he transformed Rome from republic to empire. Like many powerful women in history, she has been painted with a misogynistic brush for millennia, particularly by Robert Graves in I, Claudius.
An astute political strategist, Livia was known for her intelligence, diplomacy, and cultural patronage. She played a vital role in promoting traditional Roman virtues, encouraging morality and family values within society. Livia also supported the arts and literature, fostering a cultural renaissance during the Augustan Age.
She was regarded as the epitome of the ideal Roman matron, embodying dignity, loyalty, and modesty. Livia's public persona set the standard for Roman women, and her influence on fashion and style was widely recognized.
While Livia's reign as Empress was marked by political stability and prosperity, she also faced criticism and accusations of wielding excessive influence over Augustus. Her calculated image and control over the imperial family sparked speculation and conspiracy theories, fueling rumors of her involvement in political intrigues and even poisoning of political enemies.
Livia's impact on the Roman Empire cannot be denied. Her shrewd political maneuvering and cultural influence shaped the foundations of Augustan Rome, as she embraced a role that was unlike that of any other woman in Roman history.
This pendant is based on a famous statue of Livia made during her lifetime in 31 BCE.
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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