A lapis lazuli cabochon opens this pendant with a rich, deep navy hue, flecked here and there with tiny golden sparks of pyrite. As you turn it in your hand, the stone shifts in intensity - in one angle the colour deepens almost to black, in another it brightens into a cool glow. The simple setting and slender chain hold to a modern, minimalist line - no unnecessary embellishment, with all attention on the stone. Ancient jewellers of the Middle East associated lapis lazuli with wisdom and inner harmony, and today the same stone stands for calm intuition.

Only a small share of the raw material examined makes it into this pendant - what matters is depth of colour and as few discolourations as possible. Silver and good stones are steadily rising in price, so buying at this price makes sense today. The rhodium layer protects the silver from tarnishing and losing its shine, so the pendant keeps its crisp, cool brilliance for a long time. The setting is made of refined silver of European quality, sterling silver 925, and the pure alloy, free of nickel, means even sensitive skin can wear it without irritation. The piece is stamped with the French maker's mark, which guarantees the origin of the metal.

This pendant pairs well with a simple turtleneck and a trench coat - the navy of the stone plays off the neutral greys and beiges of a city outfit. It also works well for a business meeting, where the understated form doesn't distract from the face, while the colour of the stone adds depth to it. The short chain sits close to the neckline, keeping the stone at the centre of attention. At 3.3 grams, the pendant wears lightly all day long.