The turquoise cabochon gazes out from its metal setting with a rich, uniform blue - free of the streaks or paler flecks that turn up in weaker examples of this stone. That kind of colour purity belongs to turquoise from the Sleeping Beauty mine in Arizona, regarded as one of the finest in the world. This big pendant, set in rhodium silver, has a distinctly boho-vintage character - the cabochon form and the raw blue of the turquoise sit well with natural materials and relaxed styling.

We chose this particular stone precisely for that evenness of colour - it's what determines the stone's value and what makes the pendant look refined rather than cheap. Silver and good-quality stones are rising in price, and turquoise of this colour purity is becoming harder to find, so today's price for this pendant remains reasonable. The metal is refined European silver, sterling silver 925, and the rhodium layer protects the surface against tarnishing and scratches - as a result, the pendant needs less everyday cleaning and keeps its shine for a long time. The whole piece is stamped with the French maker's mark, which attests the origin of the silver.

The pendant comes into its own on a loose linen shirt with an open collar or on a cotton blouse with a relaxed cut - that kind of neckline gives the stone room to breathe, and the turquoise then sits against the natural fabric in a light, unstudied way. At 4.8 g, the pendant sits well on the neck and doesn't feel heavy even after long wear. Against an autumn sweater in earthy tones or a summer dress in cotton, the turquoise brings the same calm touch of colour.