A vermeil pendant with a garnet brings a warm accent to the neckline. The faceted cut breaks light into fine glints, and the stone's colour shimmers in a rich purple close to dark wine. Two cubic zirconia stones set by the bail add a delicate sparkle to the pendant without stealing the spotlight from the garnet. The simple, modern form makes the pendant easy to wear, its character only revealing itself up close on the skin.

Each garnet is examined before setting, checking the depth of colour and the clarity of the interior before it reaches the jeweller's hands. The prices of silver and other precious metals keep rising, and good coloured stones are becoming harder to find, so buying this quality at this price makes sense today. The 925 silver beneath the gold is refined European silver, and on the surface lies a layer of 18-carat gold confirmed by the stamped V mark - it is gold, not silver, that touches the skin, which any sensitive skin will appreciate, since the alloy contains no nickel or other irritating additives. The piece is stamped with the French maker's mark, which attests the origin of the silver.

For an evening out, the garnet works well with a little black dress and an open neckline, or with a cool grey silk blouse - in both cases the stone's dark purple draws the eye before anything else in the outfit is noticed. Against a shirt collar or a boat-neck sweater, the pendant sits naturally, defining the line of the neck without extra accessories. This is jewellery that pairs well with a thin chain or small earrings, since it needs no support of its own. Its medium size and weight of 2.1 grams mean the pendant wears comfortably from afternoon into evening.