Tiger's eye cabochons open this design with a warm, golden-brown hue crossed by streaks of deeper sienna. It's a variety of quartz that, under light, reveals a narrow, travelling band of light - the cat's eye effect characteristic of this particular stone. The dangle form with its vintage line moves freely with every turn of the head, brushing the neckline and drawing attention to the way hair falls around the face. The two tiger's eye stones were matched so their pattern falls symmetrically, which in old-time jewellery craft was associated with the symbolism of stability and inner balance.

Only a small part of the sorted raw material makes it into the finished piece - the rest is discarded at the stage of selecting colour and band clarity. Silver and good stones get more expensive year on year, so it's worth reaching for them now. The rhodium coating is hard and scratch-resistant, so the metal's shine stays clear for a long time and doesn't tarnish. The earrings are made of refined sterling silver 925, nickel-free, so they don't cause allergies or skin irritation. Every piece is stamped with a maker's mark registered with the French assay office, attesting to the metal's origin.

At a weight of 4.6 grams and a length of 3.0 centimetres, the earrings stay light on the ear, and their dangle brings a touch of colour to office styling without overdoing it. They pair well with a smooth shirt in a cool shade and a jacket in muted grey or navy - the brown of the tiger's eye enlivens such a combination without breaking its elegance. Hair pinned up or swept back reveals the neckline and lets the stone's pattern be fully appreciated.