The deep, saturated blue of lapis lazuli catches the eye instantly in this modern pendant on a silver chain. The faceted cut breaks the stone's surface into tiny planes that catch the light for a moment as your hand turns, as if someone had swept a beam of light across them. Two small cubic zirconia set beside the stone add extra sparkle, while the rhodium silver setting brings out the intensity of the colour without pulling attention away from it. The pendant's simple, slender form suits contemporary wardrobes and needs no extra ornament around the neck.

Only a small share of the raw material examined makes it into this necklace - what matters is depth of colour and clarity of structure, free of discolouration and cracks. Silver and good coloured stones get more expensive year on year, so buying at this price makes practical sense today. The stone is set in refined sterling silver 925, free of nickel and other allergenic additives, which matters for sensitive skin around the neckline. The rhodium layer protects the surface against tarnishing and scratches, so the pendant keeps its shine longer and needs less cleaning. The French maker's mark on the bail is a guarantee of quality and of the precious metal's origin, and the European quality of the workmanship shows in the precision of the setting. In old-world craftsmanship lapis lazuli was associated with idealism, intuition and inner harmony - today it stands above all as a stone of exceptionally deep, noble colour.

A pendant like this comes into its own in the evening, worn with a little black dress with an open neckline or a silk blouse with no other ornament at the neck. The cool grey or black of an outfit doesn't compete with the stone - it's the stone that leads the eye and holds the attention. Against the bold blue of lapis lazuli, the rest of the jewellery can stay in the background; small earrings in the same metal are enough. The pendant weighs 1.9 grams, so despite its strong colour it stays light and comfortable for everyday wear as well as special occasions.