Beijing butterfly 18ct white gold interchangeable pendant
/brooch with
rubies (5.2cts) and diamonds (1.58cts) with brooch fitting. From
the
Journey to China.
The pendant measures approximately 47x27mm.
My Chinese adventure began in England at Broughton castle in Oxfordshire when I stayed in a room with the most beautiful green 18th century Chinese wallpaper. I noticed that occasionally , small butterflies had been hand painted in the wallpaper, and I was charmed by their flitting and fluttering over the walls. I found myself day dreaming about the Far East of the 18th century, imagining the Forbidden city and its exotic palaces, sumptuous silks and stories of the Emperor. I sketched butterflies in all sizes, some as earrings, some larger for brooches and necklaces. They were golden and small, larger and diamond set with facetted stones sparkling on their wings . And so I named them after the names for the capital : Peking ( the smallest), Nanjing ( the medium size) and Beijing ( the larger brooch and pendants).
Rubies are the rarest of the four gemstones traditionally called precious and have always been associated with passion and love, (the colour red being a strong emotional colour for the brain). Rubies protect the wearer from harm or illness and bring good fortune and happiness. 40th wedding anniversaries are often celebrated with rubies.
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.