Catherine and Orlov small 18ct white gold fleur de lys earclips with cushion facetted pale amethyst. Inside the Kremlin is a jewel house full of intoxicating treasures. I remember the darkness on entering and the almost firework like display of the jewels that Count Orlov gave to his lover Catherine the Great. There were necklaces, brooches and earrings set with colourful foil backings that glowed pink and green for Catherine's exotic costume balls. From Journey to Russia.
Amethyst
Amethyst traditionally worn to instil a sober and serious mind, is the stone worn by bishops, the colour echoing their purple robes. Alluvial deposits in Brazil, Madagascar, Zambia and Uruguay are the source of most amethyst, the birthstone for February. Cassandra likes to juxtapose it with rubies and aquamarine or green African garnets.
Craftsmanship and Sourcing
All Cassandra Goad jewellery is designed and made in the
workshops in London.
As a gemmologist, the chemical composition and properties of
gemstones have always fascinated Cassandra. Ever in search of the
unusual and rare, she travels the world to source beautiful
gemstones, either in the rough or cut form. The craftsman works as
an artist recreating the design in metal, his interpretation is
vital to the overall feel of the jewel. The jewel is then mounted,
assayed , polished and set. Many of Cassandra's jewels can be hand
engraved with a personal message to make a unique bespoke gift.
This year marks 35 years of Cassandra Goad and to celebrate Cassandra has delved deep into her jewellery archives to re-discover her most celebrated designs, to re-create each one into either its original form or re-imagined into unseen versions.
