A Jewel to Mark a Transatlantic Visit
Two years ago, the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association entrusted Cassandra with a truly special commission. In 2025, the Association would journey to London, celebrating the enduring bond between two nations whose histories are so deeply intertwined. To mark this remarkable occasion, Cassandra was invited to create something lasting - a jewel that would capture not only the spirit of the journey, but also the shared heritage that unites both sides of the Atlantic.
The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association is a private, non-profit organisation founded in 1853 to preserve and maintain George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate in Virginia. Established by Ann Pamela Cunningham at a time when historic preservation was not yet widely prioritised, it became one of the first women-led preservation bodies in the US. Today, its Vice Regents represent individual states and continue the Association’s work of safeguarding Mount Vernon and supporting its educational and cultural role. The visit also carried a personal resonance for Cassandra, as her late cousin had previously served as a Vice Regent within the Association.
(Photograph by Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA - West Face of Mansion, Mount Vernon, Near Alexandria, Virginia, CC BY-SA 2.0.)
The brooch takes the oak tree as its central motif, a familiar British symbol of strength and continuity. Twin acorns sit alongside finely worked oak leaves. The paired acorns reflect the relationship between England and America, rooted in shared history and enduring ties.
Each brooch was handcrafted in our London workshop in silver, plated with 18ct yellow gold, and engraved ‘MVLA London 2025’. Presented during a year that also marked forty years of Cassandra Goad, the brooch reflects craft, symbolism, and a connection that carries both personal and historical meaning.
You are always welcome to visit the boutique to create your own bespoke design. Our three pathways offer different ways to begin: heirloom transformations, where existing jewels are reworked into something new; bespoke customisations, allowing you to adapt and personalise one of our designs; and entirely bespoke creations, shaped around your story.
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