Small and confident, these sapphire stud earrings follow the rule that less is more. Two faceted sapphires are set so that light enters the stone from every side. As the head moves, the navy hue plays with flashes of light, deepening one moment and taking on a cool, bluish glow the next. The stud sits close to the earlobe, so it's this flash near the face and hairline that draws the eye, not the setting itself.

Each sapphire is assessed before it is set, checking the depth of colour and the clarity of the stone, because only then is the sparkle even and deep. Good sapphires are rising in price along with silver and are becoming harder to find, so buying now makes sense price-wise. The setting is made of refined sterling silver 925 of European quality, coated with a layer of rhodium - a hard metal resistant to scratching, which keeps the shine from dulling over time. The alloy is free of nickel, which can irritate the skin, so the earrings can be worn without worrying about skin reactions. The piece is signed with the French maker's mark establishing its origin, registered with the French assay office.

This type of earring works well for city outings: under a trench coat, with a cool grey turtleneck or a plain shirt in a muted colour, the navy flash near the face acts as a subtle touch of colour without overloading the look. Hair tied back in a ponytail or tucked behind the ear reveals the neckline and lets the stone catch the light with every turn of the head. This is jewelry to wear from morning to evening, just as good under a coat as with a simple dress for after-work drinks.