These amethyst earrings play with a deep violet that shifts in intensity with every turn of the head. The faceted cut breaks light into fine flashes - at 5.0 cm in length, the earrings are clearly visible and make a confident statement at the face. The design is clean, free of unnecessary ornament: two amethysts suspended on slender pins, in the spirit of contemporary minimalism.

Each of the two amethysts is hand-selected - colour saturation and clarity of the stone are what matter. Good amethysts are becoming increasingly hard to source, so this level of quality at this price is a well-judged choice. They are set in refined sterling silver 925, rhodium-plated - the rhodium is a hard, scratch-resistant layer that maintains the shine without tarnishing. The alloy is free from allergenic metal additives, so the earrings can be worn without concern about irritation. The piece is stamped with the French maker's mark attesting the origin of the piece, registered with the French assay office. Amethyst is traditionally associated with calm and clarity of thought - it is a stone often chosen as a gift.

For the office, these earrings work beautifully with a plain white or ecru shirt, or under a jacket in a graphite shade - the violet of the amethyst brings life to a muted palette without breaking its character. Against dark hair, the deep violet sharpens the features; against light hair, it adds definition to the face. The long, slender silhouette of the earrings elongates the line of the neck and complements clean, elegant cuts.