The deep, dark red hue of the garnet in these earrings has a distinctly wine-like, saturated character - closer to ripe purple than red. Four faceted stones are arranged in a light, dangling line that moves freely with every turn of the head. A minimalist form without unnecessary ornamentation brings a touch of French simplicity to any look - the earrings don't overwhelm the face, and the garnet's colour flatters the complexion nicely, working well with both light and dark hair pinned back behind the ears.

Each of the four garnets is assessed for colour and clarity before being set, which is why the shade is so vivid and consistent across the whole set. Good stones are getting more expensive, and precious metals are rising in price too, so buying at this quality level remains a sensible price decision today. The setting is vermeil - a core of refined European silver 925 covered with a thick layer of 18-carat gold, confirmed by the stamped V mark. It's the gold, not the silver, that touches the skin, and the pure alloy, free of nickel, doesn't cause allergies or irritation. The piece is stamped with the maker's mark struck on the silver, registered at the French assay office.

For a family celebration, these earrings pair well with an elegant dress in a deep shade - bottle green, navy or black - and classic gold-toned accessories. In warm evening light, the garnet takes on greater depth and draws the eye closer to the face, especially when hair is pulled into a simple bun or tucked loosely behind the ears. This is a composition that works best where a subtle, elegant detail matters more than an abundance of jewellery.