When I was a child and adventuring in my mother tongue, it was the meanings of words that I first learnt. Later, when I had grown in knowledge, I realized their multiple connotations that lend nuances, camoflage, concealment or openness to our speech.

When I studied foreign languages – out of both obligation and love – the full range of affinity and remoteness in my communication broadened. If I speak the tongue of a country, those living there become more welcoming to me.

Yet it was still a dead language I chose when preparing my jewellery. In some strange way, Latin bridges millennia and borders alike. All understand or may understand it.