This vermeil pendant sets the austerity of a minimalist form against the warm, deep colour of garnet. The faceted stone catches the light with every turn of the head, its facets alternating between darker shadow and bright, deep-purple highlights. The simple, slender bail keeps the focus on the stone itself - it's the garnet that draws the eye as the pendant rests just at the neckline. This form fits well with modern, understated jewelry worn close to the neck, without unnecessary embellishment.

This particular piece was chosen for its saturated colour and the clarity of the garnet, free of any cloudiness in the stone. Nature itself limits the availability of fine stones, and silver and precious metal prices are steadily rising, so buying now makes sense from a price standpoint. The metal is vermeil to the French standard - refined sterling silver 925 covered with a thick layer of 18-carat gold, confirmed by the struck V mark. It's the gold, not the silver, that touches the skin, and the pure alloy, free of allergenic additives, means the pendant can be worn without worrying about irritation. The silver also bears the French maker's mark, which attests to its origin.

Worn with a linen shirt open at the neck or a loose cotton blouse, this pendant brings a warm touch of colour without unnecessary ornamentation. It also works well with a simple sweater that leaves the neckline bare - the purple garnet then contrasts against muted grey or beige. This is everyday jewelry that doesn't call for elaborate styling, since the faceted garnet draws attention on its own.