Aurelie necklace in 9ct yellow gold with 10mm emerald beads. From the Journey to Italy.
The great Via Aurelia, built in 241 BC, which runs from Pisa to Rome inspired the long line of stones and gold that are the 'Aurelie' collection. I love cutting unusual beads of emerald, tourmaline, quartz and baroque aquamarines, then slipping them into the straight chain of gold adding colour and character to the chain.
Emeralds are the most precious gemstone in the beryl crystal group, famed for their spectacular green hues, unlocked by the traces of chromium within their six rayed radial structure. While many stones will feature inclusions, the finest emeralds are remarkably transparent. Honouring the Goddess Venus in Ancient Roman times, these protective gemstones are a prominent symbol for fertility, health, and wealth. Historically, the finest emeralds were found in Columbia and India, where one Maharaja was weighed in emeralds.
Today, they enrapture world-over and are the birthstone for the month of May, bringing to mind the essence of rebirth and growth, as leaves grow more plentiful, and the natural world is abundant with new life.
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.