The amber cabochon draws out the deep, honeyed warmth locked in the raw material - its smooth, domed surface catches the light and casts it back toward the viewer, not splintering it into facets but gathering it into one calm pool of glow. Only a small portion of the raw material examined ends up in this very big pendant - what matters is the clarity of the interior and the depth of colour, so many stones are set aside before one is finally mounted in silver. Amber is fossilised resin, an organic material with a warmer, livelier character than cold ore or an ordinary mineral. Baltic craftsmanship has long linked it with sunny warmth and good fortune - an association, not a property, but a pleasant thought as you fasten the pendant around your neck.

The setting is refined European silver 925, pure and free of nickel, the metal most often responsible for skin reactions, so the pendant can be worn without worry. The piece is stamped with the French maker's mark, registered with the assay office, which attests the origin of the metal. Silver is rising in price, and good ambers with a clear interior are becoming harder to find, so buying this cabochon now looks like a sound choice price-wise. The whole form keeps the rawness typical of European jewellery craftsmanship - no superfluous details, just the stone and a simple setting that together give the pendant a bold, bohemian character with a touch of vintage.

A pendant like this pairs well with a romantic style - a lace blouse in ecru, a dress with a small floral print, or a linen shirt with an open neckline. Worn on a long chain, the amber draws the eye against muted, pastel colours, and its warm tone sits well against the cool grey of a wool sweater in autumn. At 4.8 g, despite its large size, the pendant rests on the décolletage lightly and comfortably, defining the neckline without any weight.