This vermeil pendant with seven garnets draws out of the faceted cut a deep, dark purple that breaks into fine flashes of light. The stones sit in a compact, vintage composition, reminiscent of settings from decades past, when garnet symbolized fidelity and constancy of feeling. The simple line of the bail lets the pendant lie flat against the neckline, keeping the garnets at the centre of attention.

Only a small share of the sorted rough makes it into this collection - what matters is saturated colour and clarity in every stone, with no lesser specimens included. Silver and precious metal prices are steadily rising, and good garnets are growing harder to find, so buying this pendant now makes price sense. The core is refined European silver, sterling silver 925, coated with a thick layer of 18-carat gold to vermeil standard, confirmed by the stamped V mark. It is the gold, not the silver, that touches the skin, so even sensitive skin has no contact with metals that cause irritation. The French maker's mark on the piece confirms the origin of the metal.

A pendant like this feels at home in office styling: against a smooth white shirt under a cool grey blazer, or with a simple graphite-toned turtleneck. The deep purple of the garnets draws the eye against muted colours without disrupting the formal character of the outfit. In the evening, simply unbutton the shirt collar to give the stones more room at the neckline. At 1.3 g, the pendant stays light and fits naturally into everyday wear.