A deep, saturated garnet draws the eye from the very first glance. The faceted cut breaks light into fine glimmers, and the stone's colour shifts from dark purple to an almost black red as the pendant moves against the neckline. The minimalist, classic form doesn't distract from the stone - it's the garnet that gives this piece its whole character, set in a simple, discreet bezel.

For this piece we chose a garnet of exceptional clarity and deep colour, without settling for average specimens. Quality like this at such a reasonable price is becoming rarer, as silver and precious metals rise in price and good stones grow harder to find. The pendant is made using vermeil technique - a layer of 18-carat gold at least 5 microns thick covers a core of refined European sterling silver 925, and the stamped V mark confirms compliance with the French standard. It's gold, not silver, that touches the skin, so you can wear the pendant without worrying about irritation - the alloy stays free of allergenic additives. The silver bears the French maker's mark, vouching for the metal's origin.

A pendant like this feels right at a meeting in the city - under a trench coat and a thin turtleneck in cool grey, the garnet gains striking contrast. Against a simple neckline the chain sits naturally, and the stone draws the eye more than any other accessory. Pair it without hesitation with an all-black outfit or a charcoal coat - it's the garnet's purple depth that lingers longest in memory.