A rich, pure blue runs through these two turquoises, opening onto stud earrings so simple in form that all attention stays on the stone. The cabochon cut smooths the surface of the turquoise and lets light glide across it without breaking - the colour reads as one calm, even blue, free of the speckling and discolouration that spoil lesser stones. The minimalist setting doesn't pull the eye away from the colour, and the small size keeps the earrings close to the earlobe, right against the line of the neck and hair.

These studs are set with turquoise from the Sleeping Beauty mine in Arizona, and out of all the raw material reviewed for production only a small share is chosen - the stones with the most even, intense colour. Silver and precious metals are rising in price, and good stones of this class are getting harder to find, so a pair like this at a reasonable price is a smart choice today. The setting is refined European sterling silver 925 - the hallmark confirms the purity of the alloy, free of nickel or other harmful additives, so the skin doesn't react with irritation. The rhodium layer is hard and scratch-resistant, so the metal's shine doesn't dull over time. The piece is signed with the maker's mark establishing its origin, registered at the French assay office.

These earrings come into their own in the evening. A little black dress and a smooth silk blouse make the best backdrop - against a simple outfit, the blue of the turquoise at the ear becomes the thing that draws the eye. Hair pulled back into a bun or tucked behind the ear reveals the line of the neck and lets the stone play fully against the face. This is jewelry for women who prefer one striking colour to an excess of accessories.