Faceted labradorite shimmers on this ring with a steel-blue flash that appears and fades with every movement of the hand. The facets break up the stone's dark surface into small planes, and it's these that catch the light at an angle, revealing a depth you won't find in a smooth surface. In old beliefs this stone was linked to peace of mind and self-confidence, which suits its role here well - as a solitaire equally at home worn solo day to day or as an engagement ring. The minimalist band doesn't draw attention away from the stone, it simply guides the eye toward it.

Every labradorite for this piece is chosen so that the colour and clarity of the stone are even across its whole surface, free of discolouration that would diminish its character. Good specimens are getting harder to find, and silver is rising in price along with them, so this price makes sense today. It is set in refined European silver 925, coated with a layer of rhodium, which keeps the shine lasting longer and means the ring needs cleaning less often. The alloy contains no nickel, the metal most likely to cause irritation, so wearing it doesn't irritate the skin. The piece is stamped with the French maker's mark, which attests to the origin of the metal.

In summer this ring looks good on a hand emerging from the sleeve of a linen dress in a light, sandy shade - the stone's blue flash then brings life to the calm, natural palette of the outfit. It also works well with a simple cotton shirt and wide trousers in white or ecru, where the labradorite catches the eye without any extra glitz. At 1.8 grams and a very small size, the ring sits lightly on the finger, almost unnoticed, until the light catches the stone.