Inn Good Company with Cassandra Goad
On a charming Wednesday evening in the heart of Chelsea, at The Surprise pub, Cassandra Goad invited guests into the captivating world of gemstones with an intimate and interactive masterclass. Focusing on the mesmerising beauty of emeralds and sapphires, the evening revealed the extraordinary qualities that make every gemstone unique.
A scientist at heart, Cassandra brings an exceptional depth of knowledge and lifelong fascination with gemmology to her jewellery. Her work is a considered meeting of science, artistry and craftsmanship, combining traditional techniques with a modern sensibility and an instinctive understanding of her clients. The result is jewellery created to be treasured and passed down through generations.
Cassandra began by unveiling the principles of crystallography, explaining how the intricate structures and chemical compositions within a crystal influence each gemstone’s distinctive character and beauty. Trays of emeralds and sapphires were passed amongst guests, inviting them to hold and examine the stones for themselves, bringing the science to life.
Through jewellers’ loupes, guests entered the miniature world within each gemstone. Magnified, delicate inclusions and crystalline formations appeared, revealing the natural history held within the stones and the qualities that distinguish natural gemstones from their synthetic counterparts.
The conversation then turned to the art of transforming these remarkable stones into jewellery. At Cassandra Goad, the stone always comes first. Every jewel is made to fit the gemstone, rather than the gemstone being altered to suit the design. Guests handled a selection of Cassandra Goad rings, discovering the exquisite craftsmanship and intricate details that make each piece beautifully imperfect and entirely one of a kind.
For clients searching for something truly exceptional, Cassandra can source any gemstone from around the world, helping each client discover a stone with its own character and story before creating a jewel around it.
Bringing together the wonder of science and the artistry of jewellery, the evening offered a glimpse into the hidden world within a gemstone, leaving guests with a deeper appreciation for nature’s imperfections and the craftsmanship that transforms an extraordinary stone into a jewel to be treasured for generations.
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