The deep, saturated blue of lapis lazuli catches the eye at once, and the tiny golden flecks across its surface bring to mind a night sky. The cabochon cut renders that colour in a fully smooth, gently domed surface, with no sharp edges to break up the hue. In jewellery tradition this stone has been linked to idealism, intuition and inner harmony. A small pendant with a modern, understated form brings this intense shade right to the neckline, where the stone works best.

A piece of lapis lazuli like this, with such an even, deep colour and no discolouration, is easy to overlook among stones with a greyer tone - yet a second one of similar intensity is hard to come by. The availability of fine stones of this quality is limited by nature itself, and with silver and precious metal prices on the rise, buying now makes sense. The pendant is set in refined sterling silver 925 of European quality, additionally rhodium-plated - the rhodium layer protects the surface against tarnishing and scratches, so the shine stays bright for years. The metal bears the French maker's mark establishing the piece's origin, registered with the assay office in France. The alloy is pure, free of nickel and other irritating additives, which matters especially for sensitive skin around the neck.

For a family celebration, this pendant pairs well with an elegant dress of clean cut and a modest neckline - in warm evening light, the blue of the lapis lazuli deepens and stands out clearly against a plain fabric. It's worth adding small silver earrings in a similar tone, without competing with the main stone. Against a classic shirt collar, the stone holds its own just as well, without overloading the look. Its small size and weight of 2.0 g mean the pendant can be worn comfortably all evening long.