This black onyx pendant draws out the stone's deep, matte black and sets it against the cool gleam of silver. The faceted cut breaks the surface into small planes that catch the light in brief flashes as it moves, while the stone itself stays opaque and self-contained. The simple, minimalist form of the pendant lets it sit close to the neck, without pulling attention through unnecessary detail. In old-world craft, onyx was linked with strength, endurance and self-assurance, hence its place in jewelry with a clear, understated character.

Only a small share of the sorted raw material makes it into production - what matters is a deep, uniform black free of discoloration, so the quality of the onyx stays high while the price remains reasonable. Silver and good stones have been rising in price for some time, and finding onyx with such purity of colour is getting harder, which makes this purchase a sound one price-wise today. Refined European silver of high alloy purity is coated with a layer of rhodium, a hard metal resistant to scratching, which protects the surface from tarnishing and keeps its shine for a long time. The 925 fineness confirms the purity of the alloy, and the silver bears the French maker's mark, vouching for its origin.

This pendant works well in a city look: a plain white shirt, jeans and a leather jacket create a backdrop against which the black onyx immediately draws the eye. It also suits a simple turtleneck or a shirt worn open at the collar, where the neckline is left bare. Its light weight of 0.8 g means it wears comfortably, and the minimalist form suits both a day at the office and an evening out in the city.