These stud earrings with black onyx pair a minimalist form with the stone's deep, striking black. The faceted cut divides the surface of the onyx into small, flat planes that catch light from different angles and send it back as short, cool flashes rather than a uniform shine. Such an arrangement of facets is hard to repeat identically twice, which is why the two onyx stones in this pair were matched to play off each other with the same intensity of black. In old jewellery craft, onyx was associated with strength, resilience and confidence, which makes it a fitting choice for a gift with character.

Silver prices are rising, and well-cut, evenly matched onyx stones are becoming harder to find, so this set makes sense as a purchase now rather than later. The high quality of the cut and stone selection here does not push the price beyond what is warranted. The rhodium-plated silver gains a layer of hard, scratch-resistant metal that protects the surface from tarnishing and keeps the shine lasting. The refined European silver 925 used here contains no nickel or other sensitising additives, which matters for sensitive ear skin. Each pair carries silver stamped with the French maker's mark, which attests to the metal's origin.

Their very small size and weight of just 1.0 g mean the earrings sit close to the earlobe, without pulling at the ear or drawing attention away from the face. This is a reliable choice for the office: a smooth shirt, a simple blazer and a muted palette let the black facets of the onyx stand out against the skin and the line of the neck. Hair tied back in a bun or smoothly combed back reveals the ears and shows how the minimalist form of the stud follows the contour of the lobe. In the evening, the same earrings work well with sleek, combed-back hair and a dark outfit, where the deep black of the onyx becomes the main point of focus.