Wendy Brandes Jewelry Blog

Never Is the Next New Thing

"I Gave It All to Your Cousin Josephine!"

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I love this scene from The Sopranos. Tony and his murderous mother Livia are fighting about her future, including the dispensation of her good jewelry.

My Livia Poison Ring wasn’t inspired by Livia Soprano, though I’m sure she would have found it useful.

Livia Poison Ring in 18K yellow gold and diamonds
© Wendy Brandes 2007-2008
Photo by the very good-natured John Muggenborg

Instead, the ring was named after the Roman Empress Livia Drusilla, who was falsely rumored to have killed her husband Augustus, the first Roman emperor, by poisoning his figs while they were still on the tree. Supposedly, she did this to enable Tiberius, her son by her first husband, to become emperor. However, Augustus died at age 76 — truly ancient in ancient times and not so young now either. He and Livia had been married for 50 years. No one with an ounce of sense believes this intelligent and influential woman would suddenly decide to kill an old man with an elaborate tainted fruit scheme after missing half a century of opportunity. The fig story is just another example of a powerful woman being maligned by threatened males. Humph.

Livia Poison Ring in 18K yellow gold and green tourmaline
© Wendy Brandes 2007-2008
Photo by the patient John Muggenborg

I didn’t name my ring after Livia with the intention of perpetuating the poison myth. I’m sorry, Livia! I did the first Livia ring in diamonds without a namesake queen in mind. The border of gold around the diamond pave made me think of Roman jewelry, in which cabochon stones were bezel-set. So, I named the ring after the greatest Roman lady I could think of. Then I did a few versions of the ring with cabochons to emphasize the Roman look.

Livia Poison Ring in 18K yellow gold and moonstone
© Wendy Brandes 2007-2008
Photo by John Muggenborg, whom I will certainly pay soon!

Years after her death, Livia was deified by her grandson, Emperor Claudius. I, Claudius by Robert Graves is my favorite historical novel even though it portrays Livia as a monster who poisons nearly everyone she meets.

Livia Poison Rings start at $5850. Figs not included.

UPDATED TO ADD: Gold prices have surpassed $900 an ounce. Can you believe that at the beginning of this decade, gold traded below $300 an ounce? I have to raise all my prices.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. You know, I haven’t seen a single episode of the Sopranos. And when I spot re-runs, I’m tempted to watch, but I think I’ll just rent the dvds and go from the beginning.

  2. I would definitely recommend starting from the beginning, BGG. Don’t get muddled by dropping in and out!

  5. I used to hate the Sopranos because of the hype, without even have watched an episode. Then they had every episode on HBO and Demand and I watched all of it and fell in love.

    Then it sucked the last season and I was disappointed.

    Anyways, I love that ring. And the fact that it was named after Livia Drusilla makes me love it even more.

  6. Love the poison rings with the tourmaline and moonstone. They’re like super-luxe mood rings!

    Tony actually looks young and thin in this clip. And LIvia is so evil…”just take the carving knife out of the Virginia ham and stick it here!” Classic.

  7. Melissa, I was struck by his appearance in this clip too. And the knife/ham line is a classic. Of course she gets a “Poor you!” in there too.

  8. I knew I liked you a lot. The Soprano’s ….my favorite family. Love the rings also. Looking forward to the Suzel ring that will be about $125.00 – figs included of course 🙂

  9. those rings are so unique
    i really love the livia poison ring, it has a nice color!!

  13. Love those rings! I wish I could afford one. I’d fill it with crack.

    Just kidding, I meant cocaine. Crack is whack.

    Really cool blog, Wendy!

  14. WendyB, wonderful rings and the story to go with them, too! And thanks for your visit and comment. Yes, indeed, L is my lucky letter–my dearly departed husband’s name is LeRoy. I used to sign letters home to Mama and Daddy, “Love, the 4Ls and Hero.” (Hero was our Irish setter, God rest his soul.) Plus, all three of those Ls are left-handed, as is my Mama!

  15. These are beautiful, I really, really like them. I like the fact that there is a simplicity about them, with a twist in that they open to reveal the secret chamber – ideal for hiding your poison:)

  16. I love the second one, they remind me of captain planet and those rings the planeteers used to wear.

  17. Love the poison rings. They are far too classy for Mama Soprano. I can imagine them being worn on “Rome” ( HBO TV show about the original mafia). I much prefer your historically inspired jewels to the uninspired New Jersey Gangsta bling.
    I love figs, too 🙂

  18. Gorgeous! And the gold price just crushed my dreams of owning your pieces, sigh… Hey maybe when I strike it one day I’ll ask you to custom design a ring for me? I’ve a black star sapphire from Sri Lanka that’ll make a good poison ring. But first let me go look for the moolah!

    Working on the tag…

  22. Thank you, all peeps.
    Prunella: LOL!
    LBR: I think Carmela would hate these too.
    Lynn, hell yeah, a star sapphire would be great. Whenever you are ready. But personally, I think it’s clear that gold will go past $1K/oz soon. What timing I have for a jewelry biz!

  23. I’m coveting your rings and I didn’t want to just lurk around your blog with such strong feelings that needed to be expressed. Truly gorgeous!

  24. I love the idea of poisoning someone with jewellery…thought I wouldn’t actually do it for fear of, y’know, jail. And tainting my soul, and all that.
    PS: I love the names you give your pieces- and I’m not just saying that 🙂

  27. It’s amazing how the prices have changed.

    And the markups on stones are amazing, too. Did I tell you I used to work in the gem and jewelry industry? Boy, the things I found out during those (almost) six years.

    Where’d you get your training?

    Love those rings.