This labradorite engagement ring catches the eye with a play of blue-steel flashes that shift across the stone's dark surface with every movement of the hand. The cabochon cut doesn't scatter that shimmer into facets - it lets it glide as one smooth wave across the domed surface. A modern, slender band keeps the focus on the stone rather than competing with it, so the gaze is drawn straight to the labradorite. In many jewellery traditions, labradorite has been linked to calm thinking, inspiration and self-belief. As a solitaire, this ring for engagements takes on extra meaning because of it.

Only labradorites with an even, deep colour, free of visible discolouration or flaws, are chosen for this ring - which is why it reads as a dense, unbroken darkness from which the blue flash emerges. Good labradorite is getting more expensive alongside silver, so keeping this quality at a reasonable price gets harder every year. The stone is set in rhodium-plated 925 refined silver of high alloy purity, with rhodium plating on top: the rhodium layer protects the surface from tarnishing and dulling, so the shine lasts longer. The alloy contains no nickel or other additives that could irritate the skin. The silver bears the French maker's mark attesting the metal's origin.

In summer, this ring sits well on a hand emerging from the sleeve of a linen dress in ecru or sandy beige - the light background sets off the stone's cool blue tone. It also suits a simple cotton shirt with rolled-up sleeves, when the hand stays the centre of attention. The medium size of the stone means the ring wears lightly, without overpowering the rest of your jewellery. This is a choice for couples who, for their engagement, are looking for colour rather than a classic, colourless stone.