The labradorite cabochon sits on the chest like a fragment of the night sky caught in stone. A dark, deep glow shifts into blue and steel flashes that appear and fade with every turn of the head. The smooth cabochon cut doesn't scatter this play of light into tiny facets - what remains is one calm surface across which light moves freely. Old-time jewellers linked labradorite to clarity of mind and self-belief; today the same stone speaks just as well of a modern, striking style.

The stone for this pendant was chosen by hand - what mattered was depth of colour and clarity, free of cloudiness that would dull the flash. Good-quality labradorite is getting more expensive along with silver, so buying now makes sense, especially as valuable stones with this kind of light play are becoming harder to find. It's set in rhodium-plated silver - the rhodium layer is hard and resistant, protecting the surface from tarnishing and keeping the shine longer. Beneath it lies pure, refined silver 925, and the French maker's mark on the piece guarantees the quality and origin of the precious metal. The alloy itself is free of nickel and other sensitising additives, which matters for skin sensitive to contact with metal.

The pendant's large format suits simple, natural fabrics well - a linen shirt with an open collar, a cotton blouse or a boat-neck sweater that don't draw attention away from the stone. In summer it pairs with an open neckline and a light cotton dress, in winter with a turtleneck in cool grey, where the blue flash of the labradorite comes through most strongly. This is jewellery worn close to the neckline, so even a modest outfit is enough to keep the stone at the centre of attention. At 5.7 grams, the pendant has a noticeable yet comfortable presence on the chest.