This vintage garnet ring draws the eye with the deep purple richness of its stone, encircled by a halo of eighteen small cubic zirconia. The faceted cut of the garnet catches light at many points at once, with each facet reflecting it slightly differently. This arrangement - a central stone wrapped in a dense ring of sparkle - is pure vintage styling, recalling richly ornamented rings of the past. Garnet has long been associated with warmth and passion, and its colour genuinely captures the imagination at first glance.

This halo setting holds a natural stone, carefully selected for clarity and depth of colour - a specimen with this intensity of hue is easy to miss, and a second one just as fine is hard to find afterwards. The availability of quality stones is limited by nature itself, and with silver and good-quality garnets rising in price, today's price for this ring remains reasonable. The setting is refined European silver, rhodium-plated for hardness and scratch resistance, so the shine lasts longer without tarnishing. The 925 hallmark confirms the purity of the alloy, free of nickel and other harmful additives. On the inside of the band is stamped the French maker's mark, registered with the assay office, which attests to the origin of the metal.

The very big size means the ring shows off well on the hand in a gesture such as raising a glass or fixing one's hair. For an evening out it pairs well with a little black dress and a silk blouse - in such a understated outfit, it's the garnet that draws the eye, while the cool grey of the silver further enhances the warmth of its colour. It's worth skipping other large hand jewellery in such moments and letting the ring hold all the attention. At 3.2 grams, despite its large size, the ring sits light and secure on the finger.