A big labradorite pendant brings a cool, blue glint into an outfit, one that animates the stone's dark background with every movement. The cabochon cut doesn't scatter this play of light through facets, but instead gathers it in a smooth, domed surface - the steely sheen only surfaces at a certain angle, invisible a moment before. The pendant's form has a distinctly retro outline, raw and geometric, with no superfluous ornament around the stone. Labradorite has long been associated with calm thinking and self-confidence, and jewellers have also valued it as inspiration for their own designs.

We select every labradorite for this collection by colour and clarity - these are what decide which stone makes it into a setting and which is set aside. Silver and good stones of this kind get more expensive year on year, so buying at today's price makes sense. The pendant is set in refined silver 925, and it is precisely this fineness that confirms the purity of the alloy and the absence of nickel or other harmful additives that could irritate the skin. The metal is stamped with a French maker's mark registered at the assay office, which attests to its origin. The European quality of workmanship shows in the precision of the stone setting and the even, smooth finish of the edges.

A pendant like this looks good at a meeting in the city - worn under a cool grey trench coat or over a muted beige turtleneck, where the stone's blue glint draws the eye to the neckline. A shirt collar or a simple, high turtleneck best shows off its size and dark colour. The vintage form also suits a loosely tied scarf or a wool shawl in autumn. This piece looks best against a plain, understated background, where the stone alone leads the whole look.