Truly, Madly, Deeply. – Kassandra Lauren Gordon.- Wedding Jewellery – Review.

• Madamehighst
• 8.04.2016
• 0 Comment
• Ethical Shopping, Fashion, Gift, Jewellery, online, online shopping, Shopping, Style, Wedding

I apologise already, there’s going to be much focus on weddings over the coming weeks, having to pull one together in a very short space of time myself…full on whirlwind.  From the moment of the engagement, it really has been like immersing yourself in a parallel universe we just never realised existed.  Whilst falling in to the rabbit hole, I discovered the amazing jewellery of Kassandra Lauren Gordon.  In the spirit of all things wedding related, I am reviewing her work from this perspective.

Let’s start with the engagement ring.  It’s a daunting task for a groom to consider but either the groom or the couple if choosing together should never feel obliged to go with convention alone or ‘the norm’ that’s just a misconception that the engagement ring has to be any specific shape or style, there’s still plenty of scope for individuality.

Traditionally, most couples do tend to opt for gemstones, in particular, diamonds.  There is a generally accepted format to what is considered important in the selection and purchase of your diamond engagement ring.Using ‘the 4 C’s’ criteria helps to simplify the process.

The 4 C’s are the standard criteria for assessing the quality of a diamond: colour, clarity, cut and carat weight. The beauty of a diamond lies in the balanced combination of all 4 C’s.

I know exactly what you’ll ask next, You may ask what is more important, colour or carat weight? The importance of colour versus size is essentially about what matters to you most, that’s it.  Also, bear in mind your budget.  Some people opt for a great cut stone, over all else, some people want size, you really have to see what appeals to you more in conjunction with what you can afford.

Carat

The measurement of a diamond is considered in weight rather than size and this is referred to as its Carat. A metric ‘carat’ is defined as 200 milligrams and can be subdivided into 100 points to allow very precise measurements.

When there is more than one diamond, such as in a cluster or trilogy ring, the stones are weighed collectively.

Cut

Whilst carat weight can sometimes be prioritised over colour and clarity or vice versa, the one C that shouldn’t be compromised is Cut I am told by all of the jewellers we have visited.

The cut of a diamond refers to two things, the first being the shape of the diamond. This could be either a round, brilliant cut diamond or a ‘fancy cut’ diamond, referring to any cut that isn’t round.

The cut of a diamond also refers to the precise positioning of a diamond’s facets. It is the most important factor in determining how brilliant a diamond is and how much fire it has. A well-cut diamond will appear very clear and fiery, whilst poorly cut stones will seem dull and lifeless in comparison, regardless of high colour and clarity.  Let’s face it, most of us want something shiny an bright that catches the light.

Colour

Gem quality diamonds are graded starting from D colour and range from colourless to light yellow. In 1953, the Gemological Institute of America introduced the colour grading scale of D to Z, which is now the industry standard. At the time there were several other grading systems using numbers, or letters such as AAA-A, B and C. Therefore D was chosen as the highest colour grade in order to avoid confusion and differentiate from other systems.

Clarity

Diamonds are all individual and unique. Each diamond can be identified by their internal characteristics, known as inclusions, and their external characteristics, known as blemishes or by the lack of them. Diamonds without inclusions and blemishes, are known as flawless diamonds and are generally very rare and hugely expensive. Clarity grades generally range from ‘internally flawless’ (IF), to the more commonly acquired ‘very very slight’ (VVS) or ‘very slight’ (VS), and finally to the less perfect (but more affordable) ‘slightly included’ (SI) or ‘included’ (I).

Now you have the knowledge, let’s just think about some totally gorgeous jewellery. For me, it’s about just seeing a piece, and knowing you want it, it’s ‘the one’, just as he / she is ‘the one’, the ring, kind of calls out to you in the same vein.  I might find out all about the cut, clarity etc after, which then helps to justify my choice, but I’m very much a heart over head kind of girl.  Which is  why I am so totally and utterly in love with the jewellery of Kassandra Lauren Gordon.

I met Kassandra at a #BADASSBRIDE SIP’N’SNACK  fashion event in conjunction with http://www.luckysixpencebridal.com, and immediately fell in love with her jewellery range on display.  First I played with the gleaming rings that caught my eye, tried a few on, the stones sparkled in the light, the simplicity, elegance and quality of the entire range really grabbed me.  I proceed to move along to examine the rest of her jewels and can say for sure, I’ve found a new ‘thing’ I’m into, and that is essentially, everything at http://www.kassandralaurengordon.com  ( yes, take a look as soon as you’re done reading this.)

From talking to Kassandra herself, you get the vibe of really deep spiritual soul, a real connection and care to her work that I believe you would struggle to find at many retailers. The names of her pieces, the stories behind them, just take a look at her Jupiter inspired range for example.  If you want Jewellery with meaning, feeling and a real connection through out it’s composition to siting on your finger, this is the range for you.

Kassandra is a registered Fairtrade Goldsmith. The Fairtrade Certified Gold used is traceable from mine to goldsmiths. It means no child labour, nor forced labour was used, health and safety standards were applied, environmental protection policies were followed and the gold does not come from conflict zones. Gordon will also be increasingly using recycled silver and eco-gold in an ongoing effort to make her company as sustainable as possible.

As far as feel good factor goes with this jewellery it has it by the bucket load. How amazing to buy something so amazingly special and indulgent with such high core values, total win, win situation  I’d say. With a beautiful ring from Cassandra Lauren Gordon on your finger, you can hold your head high, your moral compass and ethical values intact and style credentials are off the scale high. What more could you want..to see the rings, oh of course!

All of the rings are truly something special that you really need to feel on your fingers to fully appreciate.  For couples who want something that’s just… little bit more than the main stream, more special than the norm, this is your first and final stop to deliver everything you’re looking for. This is bout feeling special, unique, not so much keeping up as standing out.

If you’ve got even a hint of spirituality about you, wow will you love this range even more, it just evokes a real special feel, beyond the usual being clingy, big or brash.  It’s everything wedding jewellery should be about, truly a labour of love.  Hold one of these pieces, you see it, you feel it and sense it, it just evokes love, what else does any committing couple want from their jewellery of choice but all that is delivered here.

From experiencing the wedding range, I think I’m full on hooked.  I love the names of all of her pieces and the story behind their creation, she always delivers something really rather superb and pretty unique. I urge you to experience, to try it, I promise you, you’ll be back for more.