Medusa 7 Emerald Medallion Necklace
For women who refuse to make themselves harmless.
Solid gold lasts lifetimes. Vermeil is a thick layer of solid gold over sterling silver — an accessible alternative, designed to last several years with care.
Recycled solid gold or gold vermeil
Free shipping worldwide
Small-batch ethical production
2 year warranty
Medusa’s face is engraved on this medallion, with seven emeralds set among the snakes in her hair. The design continues an ancient tradition of wearing the Gorgon’s image for protection.
Medusa has no single ancient story. In Hesiod’s Theogony, she is one of three Gorgon sisters and the only mortal among them. Centuries later, the Roman poet Ovid tells of a woman celebrated for her beauty, raped by Neptune in Minerva’s temple, whose hair the goddess then turns into snakes. In the story of Perseus, her severed head retains its petrifying power and ultimately becomes part of Athena’s armor.
The Gorgon’s head, known as a gorgoneion, appeared on ancient temples, armor, and jewelry, where it was believed to ward off harm. Her frightening image could protect the person who wore it.
Later feminist interpretations have explored how Medusa’s image has been used to demonize women’s power, and how it might be reclaimed. As English professor Elizabeth Johnston writes, “Medusa has since haunted Western imagination, materializing whenever male authority feels threatened by female agency.” For Common Era, she carries both the ancient meaning of protection and the possibility of reclaiming a story told against you.
Each of the seven emeralds is hand-set.
Product Details
- Seven ethically sourced emeralds, each 1 mm
- Medallion diameter: 1 inch
- Available in 18k gold vermeil or solid 14k gold
- Vermeil necklace includes an 18-inch rolo chain
- Solid gold is made to order and sold as a pendant only; chain sold separately
Product Details
About Solid Gold
Solid gold is for those who buy once and buy well. It will not tarnish, fade, or degrade; worn daily for decades, it only grows more beautiful. It is the right choice if you want a piece that lasts a lifetime or becomes an heirloom.
Gold has appreciated steadily for centuries and retains intrinsic value: it can always be melted down and reborn as something new. It is adornment that is also an investment.
Our solid gold pieces are cast using the ancient lost wax method and are never hollow. Every gram is 100% certified recycled, and every piece is made by hand in New York City.
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.
When will my piece ship?
We keep a small inventory of solid gold pieces - please check just above the size/color selector to see if your piece is in stock.
If your solid gold piece is not in stock, please see above for the estimated timeframe to ship.
FAQ
When will my order ship?
Gold Vermeil pieces ship within 2 business days.
Solid gold pieces are handcrafted to order, though occasionally we keep a few items in inventory.
Each item has a different lead time based on the complexity of the piece.
This piece's lead time is:
How do returns work?
We ship for free globally, and offer free return labels within the US. International orders can be returned within 60 days, though we do not cover postage.
You can start your return using our easy self-serve portal.
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