A lapis lazuli cabochon opens up this ring with a deep, saturated navy hue, cut through by small golden flecks of pyrite. The smooth cabochon cut doesn't break light into facets, but shows the stone as a calm, uniform plane of colour - without sparkling points, yet with a clear depth of colour visible even from the side. The simple, modern band doesn't draw attention away from that surface, and the ring's small size keeps the stone legible on the hand without unnecessary bulk.

Each cabochon for this solitaire is examined individually before it goes into the setting - what matters is an even navy shade and a legible pattern of pyrite flecks. Silver and other precious metals have risen in price in recent years, and good-quality lapis lazuli has become increasingly hard to find, so this price for the stone makes sense today. Rhodium plating protects the silver from tarnishing and scratches, so the ring keeps its shine longer and needs less cleaning. Underneath the rhodium lies pure, refined sterling silver 925 - European alloy quality without nickel, so wearing it doesn't irritate the skin. The metal is stamped with a maker's mark registered at the assay office, attesting to its origin. Lapis lazuli has long been associated with intuition, idealism and inner harmony. The same stone is sometimes also read as a symbol of a promise and a decision made together, which makes it a fitting choice for a solitaire and promise ring.

It works best in total black: a black turtleneck or a simple smooth-knit top make the hand the one place where something is happening. The navy of the stone sits against the black of the outfit without contrast, and a gesture of the hand - reaching for a cup, tucking back hair - becomes an occasion for the stone to catch the light. It also looks great with a dark winter coat, when cool colours dominate the whole look. This small ring doesn't need extra jewellery to catch the eye.