The faceted amethyst combines a deep purple with a cool spark that comes alive with every turn of the head. Set in a pendant with a distinctly retro silhouette, the big stone shows off its colour well - the facets catch the light and throw it back in small flashes. In old jewellery-making tradition, amethyst was associated with calm and clarity of mind, treated as a symbol of inner balance. The pendant's form draws on vintage jewellery, where the neckline was given a clear but unforced accent.

Only a small part of the raw material reviewed makes it into this pendant, because what matters is purity and depth of colour, not sheer size of the stone. Silver and good coloured stones are rising in price, and clean amethysts of this shade are becoming harder to find, so buying now makes sense price-wise. At this price you get careful stone selection and solid craftsmanship in the setting, with no compromise on quality. The rhodium-plated silver protects the surface against tarnishing and blackening, so the shine stays clear for years. This is refined silver of European quality, sterling silver 925, signed with the French maker's mark registered with the assay office, which attests the metal's origin. An alloy free of nickel and other harmful additives means the pendant sits well against sensitive skin all day long.

Day to day, the pendant pairs well with a loose oversized sweater in cool grey, where the purple stone becomes a natural focal point at the neckline. A simple shawl draped over the shoulders works well too - the muted colour palette lets the amethyst do its full work along the neckline. For evening wear, it suits a loose-fit shirt open at the neck, where the big stone gets more room to stand out. In winter it pairs beautifully with a wool sweater in ecru or graphite tones, in summer with a linen shirt in light colours.