Deep purple garnet plays across the faceted centers of these earrings as light catches them differently with every turn of the head. The studs, modern and clean in form, sit close to the earlobe, keeping the garnet right at the face and along the line of the neck. Their compact, medium size means the earrings never feel heavy, and a bare neck or hair worn up lets that deep, wine-toned hue of the stone show even more.

We check each of the two garnets under light before it's set, examining clarity and depth of color, because only stones that meet this standard make it to sale at a reasonable price. Nature itself limits the availability of fine stones, and silver and precious metals keep getting more expensive month by month. The setting is made of refined sterling silver 925 of high alloy purity, coated with a thick layer of 18-carat gold to vermeil standard, confirmed by the stamped V mark - it's the gold, not the silver, that touches the skin, and an alloy free of harmful metal additives won't irritate it even with extended wear. The piece is stamped with the French maker's mark, which attests to the origin of the silver.

Reach for these earrings when you're wearing a linen shirt in a natural shade or a loose-cut cotton blouse - the garnet's purple draws the eye where the rest of the outfit stays understated. Hair worn up or short haircuts reveal the ear and let the stone's color shine fully against the neck. The same pair of garnets also looks good with a simple, smooth sweater - just bare the ear, and the light does the rest.