In Merida, there is a tradition of 'S' shaped benches in the park where young girls could meet their lovers and yet appear to be not meeting, not having a 'conversacion'. In a modern day twist, I turned my bench so the two lovers could sit side by side. And like two individuals, each of the stones in my Conversacion pendants and earrings are unique and different, both in colour and shape.

Tourmaline comes from the Sinhalese term "turamali" meaning 'stone of mixed colours'. As part of an isomorphous series, in which a range of chemical compositions occur in many individual crystals, they can be found in almost every colour. From pinks, reds, forest greens and blues, colourless and transparent to multi-coloured and opaque shades, making it one of Cassandra's favourite gemstones. The birthstone for October, it appears to have an affinity with the autumnal time of year, its myriad of colours resembling autumn leaves, falling in a cacophony of colour. Turn to pink tourmalines for an emblem of friendship and unconditional love, or delight in vibrant green tourmaline to harmonise your internal energies.