Two faceted-cut garnets catch the light with every turn of the head, breaking it into small, deep red flashes. This rich, saturated colour shifts in intensity depending on the angle - under artificial light it turns almost purple, while in daylight it darkens to a wine hue. The stud shape is simple and understated, with no unnecessary detail, so all the attention stays on the stone itself. It is a minimalist form that pairs well with short hair and an exposed neckline.

We examined each garnet individually for colour and clarity before it was set - this kind of selection takes patience, since good stones of this type are becoming harder to find, and their prices are rising along with precious metals. The setting is vermeil - a layer of 18-carat gold at least 5 microns thick over a core of refined sterling silver 925, confirmed by the stamped V mark. This gold is what touches the skin, so you can wear it without worrying about irritation, as the alloy contains no allergenic metal additives. The piece is stamped with the French maker's mark, which attests to the origin of the metal.

For the office, these earrings pair best with a plain shirt and a jacket in a muted colour - grey, navy, beige - where the deep red of the garnet gives a subtle yet noticeable accent near the face. Hair pulled into a bun or a simple ponytail further highlights this colour. In the evening they work well with a simple black dress, where the garnet takes on a deeper, almost purple glow. Their small size and weight of 1.0 gram make them light and comfortable to wear all day.