These dangle earrings with black onyx pair a modern, elongated line with the stone's deep, matte black. The faceted cut breaks the surface of the onyx into small planes that catch the light with every movement of the head, without lightening the colour itself - the black stays dense and opaque. This shape draws the eye nicely along the neck, opening up the line of the face and highlighting the outline of hair swept up. In old jewellery craft, onyx was associated with strength, endurance and confidence - an association, not a property, but one that explains well why this stone keeps returning in jewellery with a strong character.

For each pair we select onyx stones that are even in colour and free of discolouration - it is this purity of colour that decides which stone goes on sale, which is why quality doesn't drastically affect the price. Good stones of this kind are becoming harder to find, and silver prices are rising, so a purchase like this makes price sense today. The earrings are made of refined European sterling silver 925, coated with a layer of rhodium - a hard metal resistant to scratching, thanks to which the shine doesn't dull over time. The alloy remains free of nickel and other irritating additives, so the earrings can be worn without worry about skin irritation. The piece is signed with the French maker's mark - a guarantee of the quality and origin of the precious metal, registered in line with European jewellery tradition.

These earrings fit well into a city-meeting look - with a trench coat, a turtleneck and a muted palette of beige, grey or charcoal, the onyx provides a clear, dark counterpoint near the face. The dangle form works well with hair pulled up, where the line of the neck is fully exposed. The medium size and weight of 2.0 grams let you wear them from morning to evening without feeling weighed down. These are earrings that complement an office look just as well as an evening out in a little black dress.