A cabochon-cut black onyx fills the smooth silver band, saturated black without streaks or discolouration. When light hits it at an angle, a narrow, cool glint appears on the surface, vanishing at the slightest movement of the hand. The big, single stone set centrally gives the ring the character of a solitaire - simple yet striking in form, with no extra embellishments to distract the eye. The modern, smooth band brings a calm, geometric line to the whole. Onyx has long been associated with strength, resilience and confidence - symbolism that appeals to women looking for jewellery with a distinctive character.

The stone for this ring was chosen so that the black stays even across the whole surface of the cabochon, without the cloudy discolouration typical of cheaper specimens. Silver and good-quality stones are steadily rising in price, so craftsmanship of this quality at such an accessible price holds real value today. The band is made of refined European sterling silver 925, coated with a layer of rhodium - a hard metal that protects the surface from tarnishing and dulling, so the shine lasts considerably longer. The alloy contains no nickel or other additives known to cause irritation, so the ring can be worn with no worries about skin reactions. On the inside of the band is a maker's mark struck into the silver, registered with the French assay office - it attests to the origin of the metal.

The ring sits well on the hand in everyday, understated looks - with a soft sweater in shades of grey or charcoal, where the black of the onyx naturally draws the eye. It also works well in monochrome combinations, all-black outfits or simple knitwear in cool tones, where the smooth solitaire form completes a minimalist gesture of the hand. At 4.2 grams, the ring sits securely without weighing down the finger.