Warm amber cut as a cabochon opens this pendant like a small lump of frozen light. Inside the stone you can spot fine glints and streaks that catch the light differently with every movement - this is fossilized resin, a material that feels alive to the touch despite its hard surface. Amber's honey colour has long been associated with sunshine and good fortune, and here it's set in a simple, modern mount without unnecessary embellishment. The minimalist form doesn't draw attention away from the stone - the stone leads the eye.

A piece of amber like this, with such a clear colour and distinctive inner pattern, is easy to overlook, yet a second one exactly like it is hard to find. It's set in vermeil - refined European sterling silver 925 coated with a thick layer of 18-carat gold, confirmed by the struck V mark. It's gold, not silver, that touches the skin, so everyday contact with the metal stays comfortable. The 925 fineness attests to the purity of the alloy underneath, while the French maker's mark confirms the metal's origin. Silver and precious metals are steadily rising in price, and good-quality amber is becoming harder to find, so this is a sensible purchase to make now.

The pendant sits well in understated, urban outfits - under a sand-toned trench coat, over a cool grey turtleneck, or with a simple coat for a coffee meeting. A neutral backdrop lets the amber catch the eye without competing with the rest of the outfit. At 2.2 grams, the pendant stays light on a chain and sits easily at the neckline. It's a good choice for days when a understated outfit calls for one warm, striking touch of colour.