These stud earrings with two amethysts catch the eye with a soft, deep purple shimmer. The cabochon cut gives the stones a smooth, slightly domed surface that shifts in intensity as you turn your head, from deep purple to a lighter violet. The simple, minimalist setting doesn't draw attention away from the colour, so the amethyst leads the whole composition. Jewellers of the past associated this stone with calm and clarity of mind, treating it as a symbol of inner balance.

Each of the two amethysts was examined separately and hand-selected for clarity and depth of colour, so at a relatively modest price you get a stone of genuinely good quality. Silver and precious metals are steadily rising in price, and good stones at a similar price point are becoming harder to find, so this purchase makes sense right now. The setting is rhodium-plated sterling silver 925 from European refining - the rhodium coating is hard and scratch-resistant, so the shine lasts and the surface doesn't tarnish. The alloy contains no nickel or other harmful additives, so the skin near the ear stays safe. The French maker's mark on the piece attests the origin of the precious metal.

Near the face, small earrings look subtle, which is why they pair well with hair worn up, showing off the neck and ears. For everyday wear, they work well with a soft, chunky-knit sweater in shades of grey or beige, where the amethyst's violet brings life to a muted, monochrome look. In the evening, they can be paired with a simple, dark top without any other neck jewelry, so nothing distracts from the stones. At 2.6 g, the earrings wear lightly all day, whatever the season.