Rich amber cut in a cabochon fills this setting with a warm, honey hue, further emphasised by the vintage silhouette of the ring. The very big, striking form draws out the depth of the stone - in the light you can see glimmers of amber resin, darker bands and lighter streaks layered one beneath another. This is fossilised resin, an organic material, so every piece has its own internal pattern. In many traditions amber has been linked to sunny warmth and good fortune, which suits an engagement ring well.

Only a small portion of the raw material examined makes it into this setting - what matters is the amber's clarity and depth of colour, and the rest is rejected at the selection stage. Good stones are becoming harder to find, and silver prices are rising, which is why today's price for this ring remains reasonable. The setting is made of pure, refined sterling silver 925 - the fineness confirms the purity of the alloy, free of nickel and other harmful additives, so the metal does not irritate the skin. A layer of rhodium adds hardness and scratch resistance, so the shine does not fade after a few wears. The silver bears the French maker's mark, which attests to the metal's origin.

The very big size and bold form mean the ring looks good on the hand in relaxed, weekend outfits. It works well with an oversized sweater in cool grey or a thick shawl draped over the shoulders - the amber warms up the whole look and draws the eye with every movement of the hand. A simple linen shirt or a wool coat in a muted shade pairs well with it too. At 4.3 grams, it has a noticeable yet not overwhelming presence on the finger, in keeping with the vintage character of this form.