A faceted garnet in a deep, saturated purple sits at the centre of a halo of twenty-four small cubic zirconia stones, which surround it with a ring of tiny facets. This halo setting brings out the depth of the stone and gives it optical volume, while the vintage line of the band recalls shapes from decades past, without tipping into excessive extravagance. Garnet is associated with strength and vitality - a simple, legible symbol, nothing overwrought. The very big size means the ring holds a clear presence on the hand and never disappears even with an energetic gesture.

We examine each garnet individually and choose the one whose colour and clarity give the best effect in a halo setting, while keeping the price accessible. Silver and good coloured stones get more expensive year after year, so buying a ring like this today makes sense price-wise. The metal is pure, refined European silver, sterling silver 925, free of nickel and harmful additives - such an alloy does not irritate even sensitive skin. A rhodium layer protects the surface from tarnishing and scratches, keeping the shine bright and clear for years. The French maker's mark struck on the piece attests to the origin of the metal.

Weighing 4.1 grams, the ring holds up well to everyday wear, though it shows its full character in bolder styling. For a meeting in the city it works well with a camel trench coat and a cool grey turtleneck - the purple of the garnet then brings life to a muted palette. It also looks good with a simple ecru-toned sweater, where the halo setting stays clearly visible on the hand. This is a ring to wear boldly, with a gesture.