First in Palmero, then in Taomina, I remember seeing beautifully decorated baskets from Sicilian Carretti, overflowing with fresh fruit: oranges, lemons, and grapefruits. The market sellers had sliced open some of the fruit they call 'agrumi' on their stalls in Corso Umberto. And as I walked down the street, the idea of circular slices of fruit in a basket took shape as a possible design. I made a preliminary sketch sitting on a stone step, beneath a balcony overflowing with red geraniums. The circles were of differing sizes to reflect the different fruit, and inside a golden circular outline basket: I called it Agrumi. Later, I added stones set into the circles: perhaps a ruby for a July birthday, or a peridot for August.

Originating from the Latin name "granatus", meaning seed-like, rounded garnet crystals bring to mind perfectly polished pomegranate seeds. The scientist in Cassandra has always been fascinated by this isomorphous series, giving rise to gems ranging from colourless through to all colours of the rainbow. These gleaming gemstones have a high refractive index, perpetually emitting light. Some will even change colour, appearing bluish-green in daylight and purplish-red in incandescent light. No wonder they are said to have guided travellers throughout history, with their light warding off all darkness and fears. With these strong associations to illumination, it's not surprising garnets have also been so popular with kings and queens, vikings, and knights. Imbued with eternal happiness, health, and wealth, the traditionally resplendent red colour of garnets enriches wearers with faith, stability, and courage. An appropriate birthstone for January, which marks the beginning of the year.