Two cabochon-cut labradorites shimmer with a blue, sometimes steely glow against a dark, almost graphite background. As the head turns, the reflection glides across the stone's surface like a narrow streak of light, while at rest the colour deepens into a dense, matte black. The dangle earrings, classic in outline, move freely with every turn of the head, brushing the line of the neck and revealing the stone from every angle. This is jewellery that suits hair swept into a high bun just as well as loose, softly waved strands.

Each labradorite is chosen for this pair for the intensity of its play of light and the clarity of its surface - these are the qualities that decide whether a stone makes it to sale at all. Silver and good stones rise in price year after year, so buying at this price makes sense today. Refined 925 European silver is free of nickel and other additives that could irritate the skin around the ears. A layer of rhodium protects the surface against tarnishing and scratches, so the earrings rarely need cleaning and keep their shine for a long time. The piece is stamped with a maker's mark registered at the French assay office, which attests to the metal's origin. In old beliefs, labradorite was said to bring peace of mind and confidence in one's own decisions.

They stand out best against total black - a black turtleneck or a plain top without extra embellishment. Against such a backdrop, it's the blue flash of the labradorite that catches the eye and draws it towards the face. They pair well with hair swept smoothly back, revealing the ears and neck, and in the evening they work beautifully with a simple black dress worn without any other neck jewellery. The medium size, at 4.4 g, makes them easy to wear from morning to evening without any sense of weight.