Stud earrings with moonstone bring a cool, delicate shimmer right next to the face. Two moonstones, cut as medium cabochons, have a smooth, domed surface across which a blue flash moves with every turn of the head. This effect, known as adularescence, means the more movement there is, the more clearly the stone responds with light. In older cultures moonstone was associated with intuition and inner awareness, and today it is also seen as a symbol of quiet focus. The classic stud form does not draw attention away from this play of light - the line of the neck and the hair become a natural backdrop for the stone.

Each moonstone was inspected individually and hand-picked for clarity and the intensity of its reflection, so at a reasonable price you get genuinely good quality. Good stones of this class are not available in unlimited supply, since their availability is limited by nature itself, and the price of silver and precious metals has been rising for some time. That makes buying now sensible from a price standpoint. The setting is pure, refined 925 sterling silver, extracted and refined in Europe, free of nickel and other sensitising additives, which matters for skin sensitive near the ear. A rhodium layer protects the surface from tarnishing and scratches, so the earrings need cleaning less often and keep their shine for longer. The silver is stamped with the French maker's mark, which confirms the origin of the metal.

These earrings come into their own in the evening, with a little black dress and a smooth silk top, when the hair is pinned up to reveal the ears and the line of the neck. The simple stud form lets the stone catch the eye without competing with the rest of the look. Against a muted, dark outfit, the blue flash becomes the strongest point of the whole look. At 3.1 grams, the earrings wear lightly even through a whole evening.