€ 215
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Caduceus necklace | sterling silver and 18K gold vermeil
The caduceus is the staff of Hermes, messenger of the Greek gods. In this caduceus necklace the two snakes are 18K gold vermeil and the winged staff is sterling silver. It's a graduation gift for a friend in medical school, or a thank-you for a doctor, nurse or military medic who works under the caduceus every day.
Who It's For
- a friend graduating from medical school
- a sister or friend who is a doctor, for her birthday
- a nurse or medic in the US military, for a promotion or a homecoming
- a daughter who loves the Greek myths as much as medicine
- yourself, if medicine is what you love
Karin s. gave the silver version to a friend: “I got this necklace as a graduation gift for a friend who's in medical school. She loved it and has worn it everyday since she got it.” Lynne R. bought the silver version for herself: “This piece however, was at least as good as the picture, if not better.”
A Herald's Staff
Long before it was linked with medicine, the caduceus was a herald's staff. The Greeks called it the kerykeion, after the keryx, the herald who carried messages between cities and across the lines in war. Hermes held one as the messenger of the gods. The Romans kept the idea: their envoys, the caduceatores, went to negotiate peace under the protection of the staff they carried. The wings belong to Hermes, the god who travels between worlds. Its medical use came much later, by way of printers and an army.
Explore Related Medical Jewelry
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FAQ
How big is it, and which parts are gold vermeil?
The pendant is 28 mm long (about 1.1 inches), a little more than the width of a 2-euro coin. The two snakes are 18K gold vermeil (2.5 microns of 18K gold over sterling silver), and the staff and wings are sterling silver, all nickel-free and hypoallergenic. It hangs from a single loop at the top on a 45 cm (17.7 inch) sterling silver chain with a 5 cm (2 inch) extender, so it can be worn at 45 or 50 cm. Take it off to swim or shower to keep the gold vermeil bright.
Two-tone, silver or gold vermeil: which should I choose?
The caduceus necklace comes in sterling silver, in 18K gold vermeil and in this two-tone version, all 28 mm on a single loop. Choose the finish the recipient already wears. The design is the same in all three, only the metal changes. If you are not sure whether she wears silver or gold, the two-tone goes with both.
Will it arrive before the graduation, and what if it isn't right?
DHL Express delivers it free worldwide in 1-5 business days, and we pay the import duties and taxes, so nothing is due at the door. It comes in a ready-to-gift jewelry box and festive envelope. If it isn't right, our 30-day “Love It or Return It” policy applies.
How did a herald's staff end up in medicine?
Partly through printers. From the 1500s, printers such as Johann Froben in Basel used the caduceus as their mark. In the 19th century the London publisher John Churchill, who specialised in medical books, used it as his mark too, so it sat on the title pages of books many doctors studied from. In 1902 the US Army Medical Department adopted it for its insignia, and many American medical organisations followed.
Other
In a world where art and science often exist in separate realms, our "Curiosities" collection serves as a harmonious confluence. Drawing inspiration from an eclectic range of scientific phenomena not covered elsewhere. Each piece is meticulously crafted to evoke a sense of wonder. It's jewelry that doesn't just adorn; it educates and fascinates, sparking conversations about the lesser-explored but equally awe-inspiring facets of our universe.
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Necklace length guide
