The deep purple of garnet comes alive in seven faceted stones set in rhodium-plated 925 silver. Each facet catches the light differently, so the pendant plays with dark red shading in places into wine brown. The vintage-inspired form - a small, densely set arrangement of stones - sits well right at the neckline, its modest weight of 1.0 g never overwhelming the neck.

Before a garnet makes it into the setting, we assess its colour and clarity under light, rejecting stones that are too pale or clouded. Silver prices are rising, and good garnets are becoming harder to source, so this piece at its current price is a sound choice for today. The rhodium layer protects the silver against tarnishing and scratches, so the shine lasts long without frequent cleaning. Underneath lies pure, refined sterling silver 925 - an alloy free of nickel and harmful additives, which can be worn without worrying about skin irritation. The metal is stamped with a maker's mark registered at the French assay office, attesting to its origin.

It looks best in a total-black outfit - over a black turtleneck or a simple round-neck top, where the dark red of the garnet becomes the single point of light against the muted base. In the evening it works well with a little black dress, by day with a charcoal jumper. The seven garnets in this dark, wine-toned hue also pair nicely with a black leather jacket - the contrast between cool metal and warm purple stays clear even from a distance.