Volo d'Angelo drop earrings in 9ct yellow gold with three ever increasing circles set with a total of 20 cabochon lapis lazuli. The Cathedral and cloisters of Mon Reale, Palermo built by Roger II of Sicily is a masterpiece. Arriving at the cathedral door from the main square the beautifully designed wrought ironwork protects the Loggia, composed of endless circles and floral details it seems as a 'Volo d'Angelo' - a flight of angels. From the Journey to Sicily.
Each earring measures approximately 58mm in length.
Waking early, I went up to Monreale, the beautiful Norman cathedral on the hill above Palmero. As I stepped out onto the piazza, the cathedral stood triumphant. Before the doors opened, I walked up and down past the railings outside that were decorated with a series of circles with winged tips where the circles met. Imagining a flight of angels, my Volo d'Angelo was thought up. In my Volo d'Angelo jewels I set lapis lazuli, garnets and diamonds where the circles joined in necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
Originating from Afghanistan, lapis lazuli has been used as an ornamental material in jewels, inlay work and as azure paint for over 6000 years. With a typically resinous and mottled appearance, the metamorphic rock is acclaimed for its intensely vivid and opaque ultramarine blue colour. Unusually for a gemstone it is a rock, not a mineral.
All Cassandra Goad Jewellery is designed and made in our workshops in London.
Ever in search of the unusual and rare, Cassandra 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. The jewel is then mounted, assayed, polished and set.