Topkapi One 18ct white gold cross millegrain set with six facetted aquamarines and diamonds. Inspired on the design around a 'hubbly bubbly' pipe in the Topkapi museum, Constantinople. From the Journey to Turkey.
Topkapi
Constantinople, the ancient city of Christendom, inspired a collection of unusual designs after Cassandra's visit there in 2000. The Topkapi Palace was a short walk from Sogukcesme Sokak street, where Cassandra stayed in the Sultanahmet. There, in one of the rooms Cassandra found complete 'diamond encrusted tea services' and bowls full of the 'hubbly bubbly' pipe ends. It was the detail on one of these pipe ends that inspired the Topkapi design, with its intricate diamond settings.
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.
Aquamarine
Aquamarine with its hues of blue and green is known as the sailor's gem ensuring safe travels across the seas. It is the birthstone for March. The colour in aquamarine is due to the presence of iron in the beryl crystal lattice with the most important deposits being found throughout Brazil as well as in Africa where the colours of blue can almost be a pungent blue.
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.
The sultans of the Topkapi palace in Constantinople had tea cups encrusted with diamonds and hubbly bubbly pipes decorated with gold filigree. Marvelling at these, Cassandra created her Turkish collection as she travelled on with her sketchbooks to Chora, St Sofia, Ephesus and Kariye. From there, Cassandra discovered Bulgaria. From the overlapping domes of Nevski cathedral to the hidden Ivan Rilski monastery in the pine forests outside of Sofia; from the scent of Bulgarian roses to the hillsides carpeted in wild flowers
