Having fallen in love with jewellery at the age of nine, Kassandra Lauren Gordon is an award-winning jewellery designer based in London. Starting off selling perspex jewellery in stores and markets, a lightbulb moment came for Kassandra in 2020. Making the decision to express her voice more in her work, she began exploring her own heritage and identity in her collections.

Kassandra’s collections pay tribute to her cultural heritage and celebrate other creative voices in Black, minority and first-generation communities. The jeweller studied her craft in Hatton Garden before moving to her own East London studio, where she works with responsibly sourced and ethical materials to create bold and fearless jewellery designed for vibrant creatives. 

We caught up with Kassandra to discover just what she’ll be showcasing when she makes her debut at The Jewellery Cut Live in association with Fuli Gemstones 2021.

Jewellery designer Kassandra Lauren Gordon

Where did your jewellery journey begin?

“It all began with beading when I was little. Then I started selling perspex jewellery in stores and markets. It was when I undertook a silversmith course 10 years ago that I became hooked on fine jewellery.“

Tell us about your brand – what inspires you?

“I’m an award-winning jeweller and art director based in London. Through a journey of self-discovery, I’ve found inspiration to channel the experiences, textures, and voices of both myself and my community into my craft. My jewellery has become more than creating bold and unapologetic pieces; my story lives in what I create. In 2020, a lightbulb moment came. As I began to express my voice in my work, I also used it to support other Black, minority, and first-generation creatives. I continue to explore the themes of identity, heritage and relationships in my collections.”

What is your process when crafting your jewels?

“I spend every day sketching and looking for inspiration. I use a blend of traditional bench making and computer aided design techniques to create my pieces.“

Kassandra Lauren Gordon gold vermeil and silver This is my Switch! pendant, from £75, shop at Kassandra Lauren Gordon

Do your jewels have ethical or sustainable credentials?

“I have a Fairmined Gold certificate, use recycled silver and gold wherever possible and work with ethical gemstone merchants.“

Tell us about your latest collection

“My latest collection is the This is my Switch! pendant. The pendant is a celebration of diversity and is bold and fearless, expressing a newfound passion to explore cultural heritage. The lightbulb design symbolises my awakening to my identity, the braids surrounding it portraying discrimination and the complex structure of interlacing strands stand for unity. Parts of the proceeds of the sale will be donated to the domestic violence charity Sistah Space. The pendant won a Gold Award at Goldsmiths Craft and Design Awards earlier this year.”

What will you be bringing to The Jewellery Cut Live in association with Fuli Gemstones 2021?

“I’ll be showing a range of past and new collections, including the Support Rings from my Love you to the Bone collection. They’re inspired by one of the most important, foundational values in a relationship; the hands nod to everlasting support and the skeleton bones wrapping around the ring shows that love is more than skin deep and not superficial.”

Kassandra Lauren Gordon gold vermeil and sapphire Jupiter earrings, £269, buy at The Jewellery Cut Shop 

Why should people come and visit you at The Jewellery Cut Live?

“If they don’t want to see boring jewellery, then come and visit us. If they’re looking for jewellery that has meaning and is something unconventional, KLG jewellery is a must see.”

What is your favourite item of jewellery from your own collections?

“My Kintsugi collection, which is made up of only signet rings. I particularly love the Brick Kintsugi ring. It’s inspired by Kintsugi, the Japanese art of putting broken pottery pieces back together with gold. The practice is built on the idea that by embracing flaws and imperfections, you can create an even stronger, more beautiful piece of art. Every break is unique, and instead of repairing an item like new, the 400-year-old technique incorporates the ‘scars’ as part of the design. “

Embrace oval ring from the Kintsugi Collection

Kassandra Lauren Gordon will be exhibiting at The Jewellery Cut Live in association with Fuli Gemstones. The show will take place on the 15th & 16th of October, 2021, at The Royal Institution in London’s Mayfair. Book your ticket here