A cherished family memory was the inspiration that spurred jewellery designer Cassandra Goad to create her first quote pendants.
Cassandra’s cousin, Matilda, asked for her help to preserve the wise words of her grandmother, Jean, in an engraving. Cassandra came up with the idea of turning the sentence into an exquisitely handwritten spiral, which she engraved on a gold pendant reminiscent of a worn Roman coin.
Since then, she has created more than twenty different quote pendant designs in gold and silver, featuring anything that catches her attention, from literary phrases to prayers, encouragements and even sayings she picks up during her many adventures around the world.
Among the many uplifting quotes, A.A. Milne’s ‘You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think’ is a reminder to not put oneself down while Alice in Wonderland’s ‘If you don’t explore, you’ll never discover’—winner of the National Poetry Day Competition in 2017—urges people to embrace their inner curiosity and, with it, the world.
As well as being beautiful jewels, Cassandra’s pendants are a way for people to preserve family and friendships bonds over time and distance. ‘I love to think of godparents, grandparents and friends sharing the quotes, binding them together through life, however far apart they may be,’ she says. ‘Just like Matilda’s grandmother still speaks to her grand-daughter through my very first pendant.’
This year, Cassandra added three new quote pendants to mark the 35th anniversary of her jewellery designing: the first is engraved with a quote from Shakespeare, the second features French author André Gide and the third shares the wisdom of an anonymous writer.
Beyond empowering wearers, the pendants also help support people in need, as profits from the sale of two designs—‘Horatio’s Garden’ and ‘Onwards’—go to charity (the former to the eponymous charity, which creates gardens in NHS spinal centres, and the latter to the Endeavour Fund, which assists wounded servicemen and women, and, during the Covid-19 outbreak, to Salute the NHS, which brings hot meals to doctors and nurses).
Alongside her existing range, Cassandra also creates bespoke pendants with her clients’ choice of inspirational words, designs and even handwriting—something she has been doing a great deal during lockdown, as people increasingly turned to her to mark a graduation, an anniversary or a special birthday. With such a wide range of artfully engraved quotes, Cassandra has a pendant to suit any wearer—and any occasion.
For more details on Cassandra’s quote pendants, visit www.cassandragoad.com
-
'To exist in this world relies on the hands of others': Roger Powell and modern British bookbindingAn exhibition on the legendary bookbinder Roger Powell reveals not only his great skill, but serves to reconnect us with the joy, power and importance of real craftsmanship.
-
Spam: The tinned meaty treat that brought a taste of the ‘hot-dog life of Hollywood’ to war-weary BritainCourtesy of our ‘special relationship’ with the US, Spam was a culinary phenomenon, says Mary Greene. So much so that in 1944, London’s Simpson’s, renowned for its roast beef, was offering creamed Spam casserole instead.
-
Jewels of the Mediterranean: Luxury multi-generational villa holidaysThe Thinking Traveller have some of the finest villas in the Mediterranean on their books for multi-generational holidays. Here are just a few of the highlights.
-
Code8: Beauty on Burlington ArcadeCome along Burlington Arcade with Hetty Lintell to visit beauty gurus Code8, and try their new Day To Night Foundation.
-
The gift of growingEntirely built to suit your needs, a bespoke Alitex greenhouse not only helps you nurture flowers and vegetables, but also offers a tranquil retreat from the pressures of daily life.
-
The ultimate Canadian train journeyExperience the spectacular scenery of the Canadian Rockies onboard the luxury and top-tier service of Rocky Mountaineer.
-
Diamonds are a man’s best friendMale interest in jewellery is on the rise, with gypsy and signet rings proving especially popular, according to renowned jeweller Hancocks.
-
The Art of Lighting: Four of Britain's top designers share their best tips for choosing lightingAt a recent panel discussion hosted at Vaughan’s London showroom during Focus/24, interior designers Emma Pocock and Sarah Peake, lighting designer Jo Mann of Lighthouse Designs and Richard Smith of Vaughan shared their top 10 tips on choosing lighting.
-
The beauty of bespoke: A journey with Julia Lloyd GeorgeGoing bespoke with Julia Lloyd George means getting not just a piece of jewellery, but a lifelong treasure.
-
Hancocks: Sparkle of geniusHistoric jewellery firm Hancocks, now in its new St James’s home, specialises in old-cut diamonds pieces that gleam and turn heads even in low light.
