It was while I was living in Madrid that I designed the Madrid cross. I loved to go to a small pastelería and eat chocolate palmeras and one day there was a green and white flag hanging out over the street by the pastelería with a cruciform pattern on it. When I came back home later that day I added to my sketch book and then rather forgot about it, only coming back to it some weeks later. With fresh eyes and a clear mind, the little sketch became the pendant that has been given by godparents and grandparents, worn by girl friends and sisters, and even by brides on their wedding day. Simply adorned with pearls or set with four birthstones in the centre, it is always the most lovely of gifts - to give, and to receive.

Sapphire's dazzling lustre ranges from deep velvet translucent depths to colourless transparency, in blue, pink, yellow, green, purple and colourless hues.

Originating in Sri Lanka, Australia and Myanmar, Cassandra often finds unusual colours and cuts on her travels, enraptured by rarer green sapphires in particular. Regarded as a healing corundum gemstone, with calming properties, it's no wonder sapphires appear in such captivating and mystical hues.

The birthstone for September; this protective gemstone is known to have create powers of serenity and purity, with each colour embodying its own unique sense of wisdom.