Jewellery from Cathy Pope’s Curio collection. Image supplied.
Cathy Pope Jewellery‘s gorgeous new 2019 collection called Curio is available now with the range comprised of five key pieces. Designer Cathy Pope was inspired by beautiful pieces of jewellery she inherited from her grandmother as well as early 1920’s men’s fashion, military uniforms and trinkets. The result is an elegant collection of pieces that are meant to be treasured and handed down themselves while still working perfectly with the modern woman’s wardrobe.
The range has a feeling of timelessness and features gold and silver cufflink earrings, a unique crest, pendants and rings, anchored by Cathy’s signature gemstones. Early on in her career she was a costume designer, and fondly recalls collecting old metal cufflinks after working on several military operas and films and turning them into earrings for herself and her friends to wear.
“I’ve always been drawn to the heraldry and emblems used in military uniforms and men’s formal clothing, especially back in the 20s when men still wore fob watches, cufflinks and tie pins,” says Cathy. “I enjoy the androgyny of jewellery and wanted to add an element of masculinity to this collection by combining the depth and warmth of gemstones like smokey quartz with the delicate detail in the metals.”
Each piece in the collection is versatile and can be worn on its own or with other jewellery especially Cathy Pope pieces. One of her winsome new designs is a stunning gemstone pendant on a delicate cable chain with matching rings and earrings, featuring art deco inspired metal claws. A bold two-toned crest pendant is available separately and can be worn on Cathy’s best-selling long loop chain in silver and gold. Charming cufflink inspired earrings are the perfect way to round out the collection and are oh so easy to wear day to night.
“As with all of my jewellery designs, my wish is that these become collectable keepsakes that are handed down through the generations and cherished by their owners,” adds Cathy. “Jewellery has the ability to tell stories and create memories through its sentimentality and gifting nature which is something that I feel is important to honour.”
Cathy has specifically designed the range so it’s easy to style and able to be mixed and matched to the wearer’s taste. “The crest pendant on the thick chain looks great paired with the finer gemstone necklaces,” she adds. “The different lengths work perfectly together. The cufflink earrings break the gemstone focus up too or the small studs create a more refined and dressy appeal.”
The three sublime gemstones used for the range are Amethyst, Citrine and Smokey Quartz which all have different uses and properties:
Amethyst healing properties are as plentiful as the stone itself. It is thought of mostly as a protective stone and is helpful in purifying the mind and clearing it of negative thoughts. This includes the negativity of stress and anxiety, because the stone is also associated with abundance; therefore relieving stress while emanating prosperity.
Also known as the “light maker,” the citrine gemstone has a bright yellow hue, which reflects its equally vibrant energy. Like Vitamin C for the soul, the citrine crystal emanates positivity and joy. Its name is derived from the French word for lemon (citron), which carries a sense of sunny and optimistic joie de vivre.
Smokey Quartz is a protective and grounding stone. It shields one from negative energies by absorbing and grounding them, allowing them to be neutralised by the earth.
Image supplied.