The deep, saturated red of the garnet gathers light into a single point and reflects it with every movement of the hand. The faceted cut breaks the surface of the stone into small planes that catch the light with every gesture - lifting a cup, signing a document. This solitaire ring pairs a spare, minimalist form with a bold touch of colour, and the narrow band keeps all the attention on the stone.

Only a small share of the garnets reviewed make it into this piece - purity and depth of colour are what matter, so the final stone has to meet high standards while keeping the price reasonable. Silver and good coloured stones rise in price year on year, so buying a ring like this now makes sense. The core is refined 925 European silver, coated with a layer of 18-carat gold in line with the French vermeil standard - confirmed by the stamped V mark. It's the gold that touches the skin, and an alloy free of nickel and other harmful additives causes no allergies or irritation. The ring is stamped with the French maker's mark, which vouches for the origin of the metal.

This form works well in office styling - worn with a plain shirt and a jacket in a muted shade, the navy tone doesn't shout, it stands out discreetly. Against suit grey or a navy outfit, it adds one distinct point of interest without unnecessary ornament. At 1.3 grams, the ring is barely noticeable on the finger, and its very small size means it can be worn comfortably from morning to evening.