These modern stud earrings bring a bold touch of red into everyday styling. The two faceted rubies show a deep, saturated purple-red with a hot flash of crimson - an intense colour concentrated in a small facet, so it reads strongly without going overboard. The flat studs sit close to the earlobe, letting the stone stand out clearly against skin and hair and giving the neckline a distinct point of colour. The form is simple and geometric, with no unnecessary detail - the metal and the stone carry the whole design.

Only a small portion of the ruby rough that gets reviewed makes it into this pair - the rest is rejected at the colour and clarity selection stage, before the stone ever reaches the setting. This kind of quality at a sensible price makes even more sense now that silver prices are rising and good rubies are getting harder to source, so buying today works out favourably on price. The setting is refined European sterling silver 925, coated with a layer of rhodium that protects the surface against tarnishing and scratches, keeping the shine bright for years. The alloy contains no nickel or other sensitising additives, so even sensitive skin can wear it without irritation. The maker's mark struck on the silver, registered with the French assay office, attests to the metal's origin, and the European quality of workmanship shows in the precision of the setting and the even rhodium plating.

These earrings work well in an urban-casual look - paired with simple jeans, a white shirt and a leather jacket, they create a contrast that draws the eye to the face. Worn with loose hair, they reveal the ruby's facets with every turn of the head, while a ponytail or braid lets them shine fully at the neckline. The medium size suits both day and evening wear - just swap the shirt for a silk blouse and the ruby's red will set the tone for the whole outfit.