The deep, saturated navy of lapis lazuli plays against the skin with its own dark glow. Cut as a cabochon, the stone shows a smooth, gently gleaming surface highlighted by fine, golden flecks of pyrite. These dangle earrings in a classic form set two stones so they move gently with every turn of the head, brushing against the neckline and hair. Navy lapis lazuli has long been associated with intuition and inner harmony, and in some traditions it was treated as a symbol of idealism - here that symbolism remains a backdrop to the colour of the stone itself.

A lapis lazuli of this kind, with an even, deep colour and no visible discolouration, is easy to overlook among random stones - a second one with such a consistent shade is hard to come by. Prices for silver and good coloured stones are steadily rising, so a well-chosen lapis lazuli at a reasonable price is a smart choice today. At this price you get careful craftsmanship and a stone selected for its colour, not a random offcut from the mine. The setting is pure, refined sterling silver 925 with a rhodium coating, a hard metal that protects the surface from tarnishing and scratches, meaning the earrings need cleaning less often. The alloy contains no nickel, the metal responsible for most contact allergies, so wearing them doesn't irritate the skin. Every piece bears the French maker's mark, which guarantees the origin of the metal.

They work well for the office with a smooth shirt in cool grey and a simple blazer - navy lapis lazuli enlivens a muted palette without unnecessary fuss. They also look good with hair pulled back, which reveals the neckline and lets the stone move freely. The classic form and medium size mean the earrings suit both everyday meetings and more formal occasions in the same understated outfit.