This lapis lazuli pendant pairs the stone's deep navy colour with a simple silver setting that carries a distinctly vintage character. The cabochon cut leaves the surface unbroken by facets, so light glides gently across it, revealing fine golden flecks against the dark background. This play of flecks has long been associated with intuition and inner harmony, while the navy depth is sometimes linked to the idea of balance. The stone's silhouette together with the delicate setting give the whole piece a vintage form that sits well on the neckline and below the collarbone.

A good lapis lazuli with such an even, saturated colour and no lighter streaks is hard to come by today - a piece like this is easy to overlook, and a second one just like it is hard to find. The availability of quality stones is limited by nature itself, and with silver prices on the rise, this level of quality at a reasonable price holds real worth today. The stone is set in refined sterling silver 925 of European quality, free of nickel and other harmful additives, so the metal does not irritate the skin even with prolonged wear. The piece is stamped with the French maker's mark, which attests to the origin of the metal.

For a family celebration it works well with an elegant dress in deep black or bottle green, where the stone's navy tone gains depth in warm evening light. It also pairs well with classic accessories - small earrings and a thin bracelet in the same tone of silver. With a simple, smooth neckline, it is the stone itself that draws the eye before the rest of the outfit is noticed. Weighing 2.7 g, the pendant wears lightly throughout the evening.