Two faceted amethysts catch the light with small flashes that shift the intensity of the purple with every turn of the head. These stud earrings have a modern, geometric outline - close to the earlobe, so the colour introduces an accent right at the face and the line of the neck. The purple hue of amethyst has long been linked with calm and clarity of mind, and jewellers of the past valued it for its association with balance, which is why the stone often found its way into jewellery with personal, symbolic meaning.

Each of these two amethysts was chosen for its colour and clarity, free of internal clouding that would weaken the depth of the purple. Quality like this at a reasonable price is an increasingly rare combination today, as silver and precious metals keep rising in price and good stones are harder to find at this price point. The core of the earrings is refined sterling silver 925 of European quality, coated with a thick layer of 18-carat gold in line with the vermeil standard, confirmed by the stamped V mark. It is the gold, not the silver, that touches the skin, and an alloy free of nickel and other harmful additives will not irritate the skin even with everyday wear. The French maker's mark stamped on the piece attests to the origin of the metal.

These earrings sit well with simple, soft jumpers in shades of grey or broken white, where the purple of the amethyst becomes the one clear colour near the face. Hair pinned up or tucked behind the ear reveals their geometric form and lets you appreciate the stone's facets up close. In a monochrome outfit, built from a single shade from top to bottom, an accent like this at the ears brings the whole look together and draws the eye to the face. They work just as well by day, with a simple jumper, as in the evening, with a smooth, dark dress.