This amethyst pendant pairs a calm, modern form with a colour that shifts in intensity with every turn of the head. Set vertically against the neck, the cabochon catches light differently than a faceted stone would - instead of sparkle, it gives off a deep, even glow, with the violet shading in places into a cooler grey. In old-world craft, amethyst was linked to calm and clarity of mind; today the same stone is worn just as readily as an everyday piece, with little of that symbolic weight. The plain pendant setting doesn't pull attention away from the stone - the stone is what draws the eye.

A specimen like this - clean, with an even, saturated colour - is easy to overlook among stones of lesser clarity, and a match for it is hard to find afterwards. Silver and good-quality coloured stones keep rising in price, so buying now makes sense from a value standpoint. The pendant is made of refined European silver 925, coated with a layer of rhodium - a hard metal that protects the surface against tarnishing and scratches, so the shine lasts long without frequent cleaning. The alloy contains no nickel or other harmful additives, so it doesn't irritate the skin when worn close to the neckline. The silver bears a maker's mark registered with the French assay office, attesting to the metal's origin.

Day to day, it looks good layered up for the weekend - under a loose, oversized sweater in oatmeal or grey, with a thin scarf draped over the shoulders. The violet of the amethyst brings life to such a muted palette without overwhelming it. Against a neckline revealed by a shirt or blouse, the stone stays the focal point, and its delicate, medium size means the pendant can be worn morning or evening alike, without needing to change the whole outfit.