The opulance of the Maharajas palaces was endless. I found myself, one afternoon, brushing past some silk curtains held back by heavy woven cords from which hung a collection of delicate tassels. The elongated and swollen seed pod-like tassels had been threaded with minute pearls seperated by a panel of ornate silk. I reimagined them as a pendant earring, hanging from a diamond set hoop.

Sapphire's dazzling lustre ranges from deep velvet translucent depths to colourless transparency, in blue, pink, yellow, green, purple and colourless hues.

Originating in Sri Lanka, Australia and Myanmar, Cassandra often finds unusual colours and cuts on her travels, enraptured by rarer green sapphires in particular. Regarded as a healing corundum gemstone, with calming properties, it's no wonder sapphires appear in such captivating and mystical hues.

The birthstone for September; this protective gemstone is known to have create powers of serenity and purity, with each colour embodying its own unique sense of wisdom.