"The palaces of Marrakech and Fez sprinkled a mystic moorish charm over me. The ornate sculptural doorways, the colourful tiles and Zellije star shaped outlines, the courtyards of ripening fruit, and the tinkling of clear water from the fountains were both seductive and soothing at the same time. I spent hours looking out at them, sketching in the shade.

As I arrived at the palace of El Bahia in Marrakesh the craftsmen were painstakingly repairing damaged Zellije and I watched as it was carefully recreated. I closed my eyes and saw those same patterns on the workshop bench in gold and silver, and filled with the colour of stones."

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.