Eight faceted aquamarines fall into a hanging line that, in these vintage dangle earrings, echoes the feminine jewelry of an earlier era. The stone's colour is a cool, light blue with a hint of sea water - as the head moves, the facets catch the light and scatter it into small flashes. This slightly elongated, freely swinging shape sits well along the jawline and an exposed neck, especially when hair is tied back or pinned up.

Each aquamarine is graded before it is set - clarity and depth of colour matter most, since they determine how the stone behaves in light. Good stones of this class are getting more expensive, and silver and precious metals are rising in price alongside them, so buying now makes economic sense. For this price you get a carefully chosen stone and solid workmanship, a combination rarely found together in this segment. Rhodium-plated refined silver of European 925 fineness protects the surface from tarnishing, so the earrings need cleaning less often. The alloy contains no nickel or other harmful additives, which matters given direct contact with the ears. The piece is stamped with the maker's mark, registered with the French assay office, which attests the origin of the metal.

In summer these earrings pair well with a light linen dress in a pale ecru or blue shade - the aquamarine's blue then finds an echo in the fabric. They also suit a simple cotton blouse and loosely tied-back hair that reveals the line of the neck. The medium size keeps the earrings noticeable without weighing on the ear during longer wear. Just tie your hair into a bun and let the eight aquamarines move freely with every turn of the head.