A vintage pendant with an amethyst draws the eye with the depth of its purple before you even take in the whole piece. The big stone in a cabochon cut shows a smooth, domed surface across which light glides without scattering, gathering the colour into one place. Faceting would break up this calm glow into tiny flashes, but here the amethyst keeps its dark, even purple, a shade old jewellers once linked to calm and clarity of mind. The vintage form of the setting gives the pendant the character of a piece with history, even though it is made in a new edition.

The stone for this pendant was chosen by hand, its colour and clarity examined before it ever reached the jeweller's hands - which is why this amethyst has exceptional quality at a reasonable price. Silver and other precious metals are rising in price, and good stones of this class are getting harder to find, so today's price for this pendant makes sense. The setting is refined European silver 925, a pure alloy free of nickel and harmful metal additives - it can be worn without worry about allergies or skin irritation. The piece is stamped with the French maker's mark, a legally protected mark registered with the assay office in France, which attests the origin of the metal.

A pendant like this feels right at a family celebration - worn with an elegant dress with an open neckline, in the warm light of candles or a chandelier, the stone on its chain sits exactly where the eye of the person you're speaking with naturally falls. It pairs well with classic accessories: small earrings, a simple bracelet, without piling on extra jewellery around the neck. The purple of the amethyst draws the gaze toward the face, and the understated, vintage form of the setting doesn't compete with it. At 3.9 grams, the pendant sits light and comfortable on the neckline all evening long.