Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’
The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.

Co-founders and sisters Joy and Sarah Haugaard honored the milestone last week during Nowruz, the Persian New Year which is observed on the spring equinox.
“As Lionheart marks 13 years of Cassandane, the number itself feels especially fitting: a symbol of fortune and transformation, and a reminder that the most powerful designs are those that endure,” said Sarah, operations director at Lionheart.
“This Nowruz, the Cassandane collection celebrates renewal, devotion, and the timeless beauty of love … an heirloom of luck, light, and love to carry into the year ahead.”
Joy, Lionheart’s designer, first created and copyrighted the Cassandane heart motif in 2013, before the brand was founded in 2018.
Since then, the Cassandane collection has evolved into a signature line for Lionheart.
It includes heart, sun, and clover motifs, which symbolize love, light, and luck, through 18-karat yellow gold fluted medallions framed by a beaded border and diamond accents.
Joy was inspired by the Persian Empire (founded around 550 BC), specifically the love story between Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great.
“The romance between them really stands apart in ancient imperial history. Queens were barely recorded, but I love that Cassandane appears in historical accounts with unusual reverence,” she said.
“When she died, Cyrus is said to have ordered mourning throughout the empire, a rare decree that speaks to his depth of devotion and to the respect that Cassandane commanded. I see this collection as a celebration of female empowerment and a testament to the enduring power of true love.”
Beyond symbolizing romantic love, the heart motif is a tribute to the many forms that love can take—between partners, friends, family, and oneself.
Joy’s goal with these pieces was to create jewelry that embodied the abiding bond between Cassandane and Cyrus and serve as a tangible symbol of love to hold close, wear daily, and pass down through generations.
The Cassandane motifs are seen in medallions, rings, earrings, and bracelets.
The Cassandane collection retails from $5,000 to $40,000 and is available on the Lionheart website.
The Latest

The rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.

It is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.

Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.

With customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.

Spectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.


Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.

Alexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.

A Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.

The Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.

Get into the Halloween spirit with this roundup of 13 spooky jewels.

Cahoon was appointed strategic account and educational program manager at Gesswein, which recently joined Continental Buying Group.

Tiffany & Co.’s latest ambassador makes her debut in its “Love Is a Gift” holiday campaign.

For her annual Halloween story, Senior Editor Lenore Fedow highlights bewitching jewels fit for a witch that go from day to unholy night.

Jaythan Gilder was found guilty of robbery and grand theft after stealing and then ingesting nearly $800,000 worth of Tiffany & Co. jewelry.

Consumer confidence remains on the long-term downward trend that’s persisted over the past few years, said a Conference Board economist.

The holiday campaign includes key jewelry trends, a curated holiday gift guide, and resources to help jewelers prepare for holiday shoppers.

The “Icons” holiday campaign spotlights four classic diamond jewelry styles reimagined in “Desert Diamond” tones.

Solomon Brothers, which has three stores in the Metro Atlanta area, said it may continue to acquire other independent jewelers.

The fine jewelry brand raised $2.3 million at its annual gala that supports the nonprofit’s fight against blood cancer and blood disorders.

The annual fundraising event is slated for June 6, 2027, at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.

The jeweler gave the public backstage tours of its flagship store and its design and innovation workshop as part of LVMH’s open house.

Vote for which jewelry professional should dress up as a monster to support Jewelers for Children’s annual Halloween fundraiser.

The closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.

The ring, our Piece of the Week, was designed by eight-year breast cancer survivor Rachel Chalchinsky of Color Source Gems.

The website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.

Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.

Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.























