The deep, matte black of the onyx in these earrings shows no flashes or streaks - it's a uniform, quiet colour that reads as a clean line beside the face. Two cabochon-cut black onyxes are set in a dangle form, classic in its lines, with no extra details to distract the eye from the stone. In the jeweller's craft, onyx has long been associated with strength, resilience and self-assurance, hence its place in jewelry with a bold, understated character.

The choice of these two onyxes came down to colour and surface clarity - stones free of streaks and cloudiness reach the shelf at a reasonable price despite the high quality of the work. Silver and good stones are rising in price, and black onyx with such an even black is getting harder to find, so buying now makes price sense. The setting is refined European silver, and the 925 fineness confirms the purity of this alloy, free of nickel and other harmful additives that irritate the skin. A rhodium layer brings out the metal's deep, bright shine and protects it against tarnishing and scratches for years to come. The silver is stamped with the French maker's mark, which attests to its origin.

These earrings look good with shorter hair or an updo that reveals the neckline and ear - the black of the onyx stands out clearly against the skin. In a city look they work well with a white shirt and loose jeans, while a leather jacket lends the outfit a rougher edge. The medium size makes the earrings noticeable without overpowering the face. At 3.2 g, they stay light on the ear all day long.