Dangle earrings with two rubies catch the light with every turn of the head - the faceted surface reflects it in small flashes of red. Here the ruby shows a rich, dark purple that brightens to a livelier shade under artificial light. The modern, slender form lets the stone hang freely, so with every movement of the head the shimmer shifts towards the neckline and hairline, drawing the eye to the face.

Each ruby is chosen for its colour and clarity - stones with visible cloudiness are rejected from the start, leaving only those with a clean, even colour. Silver and precious metals are rising in price, and good rubies are becoming harder to find, which makes this purchase worthwhile today. The earrings are made of refined sterling silver 925 of European quality, and a rhodium layer protects the surface from tarnishing and losing its shine for years to come. The alloy contains no nickel, the metal responsible for allergic reactions, so the earrings do not irritate the skin. The French maker's mark on the metal confirms its origin.

These earrings suit a family celebration well - worn with an elegant dress in a muted shade and hair swept up to reveal the neck and ear. In the warm light of candles the ruby gains depth, and classic jewellery in the same tone - a thin chain or a ring - completes the look without competing with the earrings. Their medium size and weight of 2.1 grams mean they can be worn comfortably all evening without weighing down the earlobe.