The warm, silky sheen of tiger's eye catches the eye at once in this very small pendant with a minimalist, classic form. The cabochon cut doesn't scatter light through facets, but instead concentrates it into a single, narrow band that shifts across the surface of the stone like a ribbon of brightness - this is the cat's eye effect characteristic of this variety of quartz. Brown and gold arrange themselves into regular bands, without random discoloration, and the small size of the pendant keeps the stone clear and distinct even up close.

For this piece we select stones with an even colour, so that the bands of brown and gold line up smoothly, without tonal clashes. Good stones are becoming harder to find, and precious metals are rising in price, so buying now makes sense from a price standpoint. The pendant is set in refined sterling silver 925 of European quality, coated with a layer of rhodium - this metal protects the surface against tarnishing and scratches, keeping the shine bright for years to come. The alloy contains no nickel or other sensitising additives, which skin sensitive to metals will appreciate. The silver also bears the French maker's mark - a legally protected mark registered with the French assay office, which attests to the origin of the metal. In many traditions, tiger's eye has been associated with stability and inner balance, which gives it meaning beyond its appearance alone.

The pendant sits close to the neck, so it works best with an open neckline. In summer it pairs well with a linen dress in sand or ecru tones, where the warm brown of the stone complements the natural fabric. With a small-collared shirt it adds a calm, earthy accent without excess sparkle. At 1.3 grams it remains almost unnoticeable to wear, visible only where it should be - on the skin at the neckline.