The deep navy of the sapphire draws light into a single point and throws it back in a flash at the slightest turn of the pendant. The faceted cut breaks the surface of the stone into small planes, so as the hand moves or the piece turns on the chain, the navy shifts in intensity - from dark purple to a cooler, more steely tone. Two small cubic zirconia stones set alongside add a cold sparkle without taking the leading role away from the sapphire. The modern, clean form of the pendant keeps the stone at the centre, with no unnecessary embellishment.

Only a small share of the raw material reviewed makes it into this pendant - what matters is depth of colour and clarity within the stone, which is why the final selection is narrow. Silver and good-quality sapphires are rising in price, and clear stones of this class are getting harder to find, so this purchase makes sound sense today. The pendant is set in refined silver 925 of high alloy purity, coated with a layer of rhodium - a hard metal resistant to scratching, which keeps the shine protected from tarnishing for a long time. The alloy contains no nickel, so wearing it does not cause allergies or skin irritation. The metal carries a maker's mark establishing the origin of the piece, registered with the French assay office.

A pendant like this works well with an open neckline, especially in spring, when outfits are light and understated. A pastel trench coat, a silk scarf loosely tied around the neck and a light-coloured handbag make a backdrop against which the navy of the sapphire immediately catches the eye. In the evening it works well with a simple dress and no other jewellery at the neck - the chain and the stone are enough on their own. The pendant weighs 1.9 grams, so even worn for long stretches it stays light and almost unnoticeable on the skin.