Deep, dark navy lapis lazuli set in two cabochons opens up these dangle earrings with a boho and vintage spirit. The surface of the stone catches the light unevenly - in one spot it thickens into a dark purple, in another it lightens with fine, golden flecks of pyrite that play with every turn of the head. Such a pattern of streaks is hard to repeat, because good lapis lazuli specimens with a clear, dense colour and sparse speckling are rare finds - this piece is easy to overlook if you're not searching with patience. Craftsmen of ancient Middle Eastern cultures associated this stone with ideals of intuition and inner harmony, and today it remains above all a symbol of that aesthetic.

The stone is natural and carefully selected for colour purity, which at this size and with the cabochon cut gives a result that clearly exceeds average quality at a similar price. Silver and good coloured stones are rising in price, so a purchase like this makes sense today. The setting is rhodium-plated refined silver 925 of European quality - a hard metal, resistant to scratching, which protects against tarnishing and keeps its shine for a long time, while containing no nickel or other sensitising additives, something even sensitive skin near the ear will appreciate. The French maker's mark - confirmation of the metal's origin - completes the character of the whole piece.

Given their very big size and weight of 10.5 g, the earrings look best with hair tied back or pinned up, where the neckline is exposed and the navy of the stone stands out against the skin. They fit perfectly into weekend, layered looks - an oversized sweater in cool grey, a loose scarf draped over the shoulders, jeans and a leather bag. The simplicity of such an outfit lets the lapis lazuli cabochons catch the eye without competing with the rest of the look.