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"I Gave It All to Your Cousin Josephine!"

January 13, 2008 by WendyB

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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Filed Under: books, gold, Murdock, my designs, poison rings, queens, rings, TV

Previous Post: « Life Is Full of Disappointments
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. bigglassesgirl says

    January 13, 2008 at 4:22 pm

    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. WendyB says

    January 13, 2008 at 4:28 pm

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

  3. Shoeaddict says

    January 13, 2008 at 5:25 pm

    Hey! Was wondering if B.Sommerville was wearing your ring on Cashmere Mafia last week. I just watched it tonight. The second episode…

    email me
    shoeaddict17@gmail.com

    I LOVE this ring!

  4. WendyB says

    January 13, 2008 at 5:33 pm

    Sadly, no, Shoeaddict. I wish!!!!

  5. LBIC says

    January 13, 2008 at 5:44 pm

    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. melissa o says

    January 13, 2008 at 6:44 pm

    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. WendyB says

    January 13, 2008 at 6:55 pm

    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. Suze says

    January 13, 2008 at 7:04 pm

    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. Jen (MahaloFashion) says

    January 13, 2008 at 7:10 pm

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

  10. Aretha says

    January 13, 2008 at 7:26 pm

    Now we’re talking about rings! I love the blue one

  11. G.G. says

    January 13, 2008 at 8:57 pm

    Ooooh, how fabulous! One could go all Catherine de’ Medici over that ring. YUM!

  12. WendyB says

    January 13, 2008 at 8:59 pm

    GG, THIS is the ring to get all Medici over:
    http://www.gigicaron.com/vivat_regina.
    asp?path=ring_medici&thumbstrip=0

  13. Prunella Jones says

    January 13, 2008 at 10:07 pm

    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. Lynette says

    January 13, 2008 at 10:31 pm

    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. bronwyn says

    January 14, 2008 at 12:21 am

    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. Jello on Springs says

    January 14, 2008 at 4:26 am

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

  17. La Belette Rouge says

    January 14, 2008 at 8:17 am

    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. Lynn says

    January 14, 2008 at 8:30 am

    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…

  19. The Lady Who Doesn't Lunch: says

    January 14, 2008 at 9:57 am

    I saw these Poison Rings on your jewelry site and I LOVE them.

  20. The Lady Who Doesn't Lunch: says

    January 14, 2008 at 9:57 am

    I saw these Poison Rings on your jewelry site and I LOVE them.

  21. The Lady Who Doesn't Lunch: says

    January 14, 2008 at 9:57 am

    I saw these Poison Rings on your jewelry site and I LOVE them.

  22. WendyB says

    January 14, 2008 at 10:02 am

    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. Moira says

    January 14, 2008 at 11:10 am

    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. Blue Floppy Hat says

    January 14, 2008 at 11:37 am

    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 🙂

  25. WendyB says

    January 14, 2008 at 11:41 am

    Thank you, Drusilla AKA Floppy.
    And thank you, non-lurking Moira.

  26. Shoeaddict says

    January 14, 2008 at 11:50 am

    Cannot get the link you gave GG to work. I wanna see that ring…

  27. enc says

    January 14, 2008 at 3:32 pm

    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.

  28. riz says

    January 14, 2008 at 3:36 pm

    Oh Wendy, your design imagination continues to amaze me…

  29. WendyB says

    January 14, 2008 at 5:05 pm

    ENC, got my training on the job…story of my life!

  30. Katelin says

    January 14, 2008 at 5:47 pm

    I love those rings. They’re amazing and so fun.

  31. Brightpictures says

    January 15, 2008 at 9:01 pm

    It is weird about gold. Those rings are gorgeous!

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MEET WENDY BRANDES

Award-winning designer of fine jewelry inspired by women's history and pop culture. A former journalist who writes about jewelry, fashion, medieval history, news, feminism, dogs, cats and whatever else is on her mind. Blogging since 2007.
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