The labradorite cabochon holds a cool, blue glow that only reveals itself when the head moves. Against the stone's dark, almost graphite background, steely flashes appear - these are what bring out a character in labradorite that's hard to find in other natural stones. The rhodium-plated 925 silver setting has a vintage silhouette, subtly retro, with no unnecessary flourishes. The pendant, hung centrally, sits beautifully in the neckline, drawing the line of the neck with a simple, striking accent.

A labradorite of this quality, with such a vivid play of colour and a clean surface, is easy to overlook - a second stone with a similarly rich colour is hard to find afterwards. Good labradorites are getting more expensive along with precious metals, and the availability of valuable stones is limited by nature itself, so this pendant at its current price is a sensible choice to make now. It is set in refined silver of European quality, sterling silver 925, free of nickel and other allergenic metal additives - it can be worn without worrying about skin irritation. The rhodium layer protects the silver against tarnishing and scratches, so the shine stays bright for years to come. The French maker's mark on the piece attests to the origin of this silver. In the past, jewellers linked labradorite with peace of mind and confidence in one's own decisions - good symbolism for a gift, though the pendant also holds its own as an everyday piece.

It looks best with a simple sweater in soft knit, in shades of grey or broken white - a monochrome base lets the stone's blue flash draw the eye. With a turtleneck or a high-collar blouse, it's worth pairing with a shorter chain so the pendant stays visible just above the line of the fabric. In winter it works well under an open wool coat, in summer with a linen shirt and an open neckline.