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.

From the Latin for grain 'granatum' -because of its rounded crystals and similarity to the red pomegranate seeds. The scientist in Cassandra has always been fascinated by this isomorphous series that gives rise to gems that are from colourless through all colours of the rainbow. With the power to give eternal happiness, health and wealth when worn it is not surprising that Kings and Queens have often worn garnets throughout history.