This vermeil bracelet plays with two faceted garnets that catch the light with every turn of the wrist. The minimalist form doesn't draw attention away from the stone - the narrow links lead the eye straight to the garnet's deep purple, which shifts to a darker, at times almost black shade as the wrist turns, with a flash of red across the facets. A 4 cm adjustable extension lets you fit the 18 cm chain to a narrower or wider wrist, so the bracelet sits flat, without excess slack.

Only a small share of the material we review makes it into this bracelet - we select the garnets one by one, checking colour saturation and clarity, so the stone's quality matches its price. Silver and other precious metals keep rising in price, and good garnets are becoming harder to find, which makes this purchase worth making now. The core of the bracelet is refined 925 silver of European quality, coated with a thick layer of 18-carat gold - it's the gold, not the silver, that touches the skin, and its presence is confirmed by the stamped V mark. The alloy is nickel-free, nickel being the metal responsible for allergic reactions, so wearing it doesn't irritate the skin. The piece also carries the French maker's mark, which guarantees the origin of the metal.

This bracelet stands out best against the cuff of a smooth shirt or a blazer sleeve in a muted colour - garnet pairs well with the grey, navy and beige of office wardrobes. Just bare the wrist, and the small form and dark stone will make themselves known without excess. This is jewelry for everyday wear, at work and after hours, wherever a discreet, well-crafted detail matters.