A sapphire pendant draws out what is most precious in the stone - an intense, saturated deep blue that the faceted cut breaks into a play of flashes with every shift of light. The modern, minimalist setting does not compete with the stone: all attention stays with the sapphire, which guides the eye.

Before the sapphire reached its setting, we assessed it for colour and clarity - only a stone with even, deep saturation passes the selection. Good sapphires are becoming increasingly rare, so this price is genuinely reasonable. It is set in European refined sterling silver 925, stamped with the French maker's mark attesting the origin of the metal. The rhodium coating on the silver is hard and scratch-resistant, so the pendant retains its bright lustre for a long time. The alloy is free from nickel and irritating additives, making the piece comfortable to wear without concern about skin reactions.

For everyday wear, the pendant works beautifully at the neckline of a white or off-white linen shirt - the deep blue sapphire brings life to light, natural fabrics without overwhelming them. It looks equally good with a relaxed round-neck cotton top, where the minimalist setting and the deep blue of the stone create a single, striking accent at the throat. It is the sapphire, not the setting, that defines the character of the whole look.