This vintage amethyst ring draws the eye with its halo setting - the faceted stone is encircled by a halo of twenty-four small cubic zirconia stones that catch the light from every angle. The deep purple of the faceted amethyst shimmers with flashes of colour as the hand moves, and the densely set cubic zirconia stones emphasise its depth without stealing attention. The retro band line and dense setting recall the jewellery of past decades, when this stone was associated with calm and clarity of mind - today that's an association, not a promise of effect.

This particular piece features an amethyst chosen from a narrow selection - out of all the raw material reviewed, only a portion meets the required clarity and colour saturation, which is why the stone's quality stands out at this price point. Silver gets more expensive season after season, so a purchase like this makes sense price-wise today. Beneath the cubic zirconia and amethyst lies pure, refined European sterling silver 925, free of nickel and other irritating additives, for comfort even on sensitive skin. A rhodium coating protects the surface from tarnishing and scratches, so the shine lasts long. The whole piece is stamped with the French maker's mark, which attests the silver's origin.

The very big size means the ring looks good on the hand in everyday, natural outfits - against a linen shirt, a cotton sweater or a loose oversized sweater in earthy tones, the violet of the amethyst takes on extra depth. The gesture of reaching for a coffee or fixing your hair becomes an occasion for the stone to catch the light. At 4.1 g, it fills the hand nicely without weighing it down.