The lapis lazuli cabochon in this ring forms a smooth, domed surface with a deep, navy-blue colour. As you turn your hand, small golden flecks of pyrite catch the light across the stone, brightening the dark tone and lending it depth. The modern, simple band doesn't pull attention away from the stone - the stone is what leads the eye. This solitaire form works just as well as an engagement and solitaire ring, where what matters is a clean, striking focal point.

For this piece we chose a stone with rich, even colour and a minimal amount of white calcite veining, since colour purity is what determines its quality. Good stones of this class are becoming harder to find, and silver prices are rising, so buying now makes financial sense. The setting is made of refined sterling silver 925, and the rhodium layer on the surface is hard and scratch-resistant, so the shine doesn't fade with everyday wear. The alloy contains no nickel, the metal most often responsible for skin reactions, so the ring can be worn without worrying about skin sensitivity. The piece is stamped with the French maker's mark, which attests the origin of the silver, and the European quality of the workmanship is visible in the even rhodium plating and the precise setting of the stone.

Lapis lazuli has long been associated with intuition and inner harmony, and in some traditions it was seen as a symbol of idealism - hence its popularity in rings with personal meaning, such as engagement rings. For everyday wear it pairs well with a linen shirt in a natural shade or a loose cotton sweater, where the navy blue of the stone contrasts with the calm, light fabric. The simple form and medium size of the stone make this a ring you can wear all the time, not just on special occasions.