The deep, saturated red of the garnet catches the eye at first glance. The faceted stone gathers light across its precisely cut planes and returns it as warm flashes - from ruby red to darker, almost cherry tones. The necklace has a modern, lightweight form that sits easily at the neckline, and a length of 43 cm with a 4 cm adjustable extension lets you tailor it to the depth of your neckline.

The choice of this garnet came down to colour and clarity - an intense, evenly saturated red with no discolouration. Good-quality garnets are becoming increasingly rare, and their prices are steadily rising, so this quality at this price is a sound buy. The stone is set in refined sterling silver 925 - a nickel-free alloy with no harmful additives that won't irritate the skin. Rhodium protects the surface against tarnishing and keeps a bright shine for a long time. The piece is signed with the French maker's mark registered at the French assay office - confirmation of European quality of craftsmanship and origin of the metal.

The necklace works beautifully in an urban look: dark jeans, a white shirt and a leather jacket create the backdrop against which the red of the garnet reads clearly at the neckline. It also works well with a casual dress in a muted colour, where the facets of the stone bring a simple silhouette to life. The warm tone of the garnet plays particularly well with beige, black and deep bottle green.