Deep, dark blue lapis lazuli with fine flecks of gold catches the eye at first glance. The two cabochon-cut stones have an even, saturated colour, with no lighter streaks or discolouration, giving both studs a calm, uniform depth of colour. The simple, minimalist form does not draw attention away from the stone, and the small size means the earrings rest lightly against the ear, close to the jawline. In ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, lapis lazuli was associated with idealism, intuition and harmony.

We select each cabochon for its even, deep colour, and good stones of this kind are becoming harder to find, much like silver, whose price keeps rising - which makes buying earrings like these worthwhile today. They are set in pure, refined 925 sterling silver, extracted and refined in Europe, free of nickel and other harmful additives, so the metal does not irritate the skin. The rhodium layer is hard and scratch-resistant, so the silver keeps its shine for a long time and does not tarnish. The French maker's mark on the piece attests the silver's origin.

These earrings work well in office styling - paired with a smooth shirt and a jacket in a muted navy shade, the lapis lazuli does not disappear, but subtly lights up the face and highlights the neckline when hair is tied back or worn short. With hair down, the cabochons peek out with every movement of the head. The minimalist form of the studs means they can be worn from morning to evening, from a meeting at the office to dinner, without switching to another pair. At 2.0 g, they are barely noticeable throughout the day.