This amethyst pendant pairs a simple, modern form with a stone of deep purple colour. The cabochon cut doesn't break light into facets but lets it soak into the surface, hence the dark glints and, in places, an almost purple glow that shows clearly with every turn of the head. A stone like this, with an even, saturated colour and no cloudy patches, is easy to overlook among brighter, less distinctive stones - you won't easily find another with such a consistent hue. Amethyst has long been associated with calm and clarity of mind, and in some traditions it was also treated as a symbol of inner balance.

Silver prices are rising, and good stones of this quality are becoming harder to find, so buying at today's price makes sense. The pendant itself weighs 4.0 g and is set in rhodium-plated silver - the rhodium layer is hard and resistant, protecting the surface from tarnishing and scratches, so the shine lasts long and everyday cleaning is kept to a minimum. The metal is pure, refined European sterling silver 925, free of nickel and other additives that irritate the skin, so it causes no irritation even with daily wear. The silver is stamped with the French maker's mark, which attests to the metal's origin.

Hung low on its chain, the pendant sits well at the neckline and along the line of the neck, so it works equally well under a loose shirt collar or on a bare neck. For everyday wear, pair it with a soft knit sweater in cool grey or ecru - the amethyst's purple immediately draws the eye against muted colours. In monochrome combinations, black on black or graphite with navy, the stone becomes the natural point the eye keeps returning to. This is a pendant equally at home under a coat in winter as with a summer linen shirt.