Brinjal Indian marriage charm 9 carat yellow gold set with a cabochon red garnet. Inspired by the sacred charms on an Indian marriage necklace in the Victoria and Albert Museum. From the Journey to India.
All Cassandra Goad pendants are sold without chains so that you may select the chain of your choice, both in style and length. If you would like to add a chain have a look at our selection here.
Indian Marriage Pendant
Back from India, I spent an afternoon in the V and A museum's Indian galleries and there, in a small cabinet on the side, was a gold necklace. Unusually the necklace was threaded on a heavy black cord, almost a rope. Along its length, evenly spaced, were golden amulets with wonderfully deeply-engraved textures and all of them with differing outlines. As I read about it from the notes inside the cabinet, I learnt that it had come from southern India - as part of a dowry. The gold pendants, I realised, represented seed pods known as Thali (charms) from Southern India representing exotic spices, fruits and seeds. In the necklace there were (in no particular order): aniseed, Tulasi-madan (sacred basil and very common in India), mango, plantain, coconut, brinjal, coriander, almonds, melon and nutmeg.
Yellow Gold
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 regularly 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.
Garnet
From the Latin for grain 'granatum' -because of its rounded crystals and similarity to the red pomegranate seeds. The scientist in Cassandra has always been fascinated by this isomorphous series that gives rise to gems that are from colourless through all colours of the rainbow. With the power to give eternal happiness, health and wealth when worn it is not surprising that Kings and Queens have often worn garnets throughout history.
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.
2020 marked 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.
