"Of all Peking's enchanting sights, the beauty of the Altar of Heaven is the hardest to describe. It's sublime austerity is mocked by words. It is what it is - the most fitting architectural expression of man's highest aspirations in the world" - John Blofeld: City of Lingering Splendour, 1961

'I have always found this quote the best description of the magical building that is The Temple of Heaven. The geometric patterns on the ends of the roof tiles led me to sketch out the idea of the Temple of Heaven earrings. It was important that each section should move, so the little links needed to be strong, yet discreet.

It takes a brave jewellery designer not to fill every part of a design with stone or gold. To leave 'air space', as we call it in the workshop, is when a design is good enough, bold enough, strong enough, that you can start to take away the gold and leave space. In this design: space is the luxury.

Gold is a metal that Cassandra loves to work with, it takes a wonderful pátina with time. Cassandra has the skill of knowing which carat, strength and durability of gold to use, where stone setting is concerned, so that jewels last and look beautiful for generations. Sourcing gold and other metals responsibly from people who have the same ethical vision as herself is particularly important, and she encourages transformations from old unworn jewels in to new sparkling pieces. When receiving jewels from Cassandra Goad, you can be assured that only the highest quality gold is being used.

If you would like to have this design crafted bespoke for you in another metal - silver, white or rose gold - please contact us and we will be delighted to make this for you.