This amethyst engagement ring draws out a deep, dark purple from the stone, which in its cabochon cut settles into a smooth, gently domed surface with no sharp glints. The vintage silhouette of the band - subtly contoured, with a pronounced heart to the setting - recalls shapes from decades past, yet wears in a thoroughly contemporary way. Amethyst has long been associated with calm and clarity of mind, and in the jeweller's craft it was prized precisely for this restrained, composed colour.

Only a small portion of the sorted raw material makes it into this ring - what matters is depth of colour and clarity of the stone, without a trace of cloudiness. Silver and fine coloured gemstones get more expensive year on year, so buying at this price makes sense right now. The band is made of refined sterling silver 925, free of nickel and other irritant additives, which matters for a ring worn on the finger every day. A rhodium layer adds hardness to the metal and protects it against scratches, so the shine stays clear for a long time. 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. This ring is a very big size and weighs 7.2 grams, which is well felt on the hand.

For weekend styling it works well with a chunky oversized sweater and a soft scarf in cool grey - the purple of the amethyst draws the eye against calm, muted tones. For a more formal look, it pairs well with a simple, fitted blazer with no other jewellery on the hand. The large size of the stone and the pronounced profile of the band show well in the gesture of a handshake or when turning a page of a book - these are the details that give character to simple, everyday actions.