This vermeil pendant with a blue topaz draws the eye with a cool, saturated blue that gathers in the stone's four facets. The faceted cut breaks the light into small flashes, so the colour is never flat - it shifts in intensity with every movement of the head. The simple, classic shape of the pendant lets the topaz take centre stage, while the delicate chain allows it to sit naturally at the neckline.

Each of the four topazes was chosen for its colour and clarity - what matters is depth of blue without cloudiness. Silver and precious metals are rising in price, and good stones in this shade are becoming harder to find, so buying a pendant like this now makes financial sense. Beneath the gold layer lies a core of pure, refined sterling silver 925, and compliance with the vermeil standard is confirmed by the struck V mark. It is the 18-carat gold, not the silver, that touches the skin - the thick layer resists everyday wear without rubbing off. The alloy contains no nickel, the metal responsible for skin sensitivity, so the pendant can be worn without concern for irritation. The piece is stamped with the French maker's mark, which establishes its origin and is registered with the assay office in France.

For everyday wear, it pairs well with a loose, oversized sweater in cool grey or ecru - the topaz stands out against the calm, uniform knit. Adding a light shawl draped over the shoulders is a nice touch too, as it reveals the neckline and collarbone without taking attention away from the stone. In a weekend outfit built mainly from simple layers and muted colours, it's the blue of the topaz that keeps drawing the eye back. The pendant's classic shape means it works just as well with a shirt as with a turtleneck under a coat.