This black onyx pendant plays on the depth of a matte black that the cabochon cut smooths into one calm, softly gleaming surface. The stone doesn't shift colour or catch flashes of light the way quartz or amethyst do - its strength lies in a dense, opaque black that the cabochon shows off without any breaks. The vintage silhouette of the setting gives the pendant the character of a piece with history, though the craftsmanship is entirely contemporary. Stonecutters of old linked onyx with strength, endurance and self-assurance - that association still clings to the stone today.

Each onyx used in our pendants is inspected and chosen individually, checked for colour and surface clarity before it reaches the jeweller's hands. Silver and good stones are rising in price, and onyx of such even, deep black is becoming harder to find - a good moment for a purchase like this. The pendant is set in refined silver of European quality, sterling silver 925, and the nickel-free alloy, free of harmful metal additives, won't irritate the skin at the neckline. The metal is stamped with the French maker's mark - a legally protected mark registered with the French assay office, which vouches for the silver's origin. At 2.1 g, the pendant stays nearly weightless to wear, despite the stone's clear presence.

In summer, this small pendant sits beautifully against an open neckline - a linen dress in light beige or a cotton shirt with an open collar gives the onyx's black room to stand out. Cool grey and broken white bring out the depth of the stone best, without stealing attention from it. A short chain draws the eye along the line of the neck, and the onyx itself becomes the point where that gaze comes to rest.