Waking early, I went up to Monreale, the beautiful Norman cathedral on the hill above Palmero. As I stepped out onto the piazza, the cathedral stood triumphant. Before the doors opened, I walked up and down past the railings outside that were decorated with a series of circles with winged tips where the circles met. Imagining a flight of angels, my Volo d'Angelo was thought up. In my Volo d'Angelo jewels I set lapis lazuli, garnets and diamonds where the circles joined in necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

Taken from the Greek word "amethystos", meaning sober; amethyst quartz has illustrious calming properties, protecting wearers with a sense of tranquillity and soberness. Famed for its regal deep purple colour, February's birthstone is said to enhance your focus and open your mind to critical thinking and clarity, and to also protect from inebriation. It is often worn by bishops set in a ring. Most are sourced from alluvial deposits in Brazil, Madagascar, Zambia and Uruguay, and Cassandra likes to juxtapose their splendour with rubies and aquamarine, or even green African garnets.