A labradorite cabochon opens up this engagement ring, whose form sits deep in vintage styling. Against the stone's dark, deep background, blue and steel flashes appear - a glow that comes alive with every turn of the hand and fades as the light shifts. Two small cubic zirconia stones are set on either side of the main stone, adding sparkle without drawing attention away from the labradorite. The very big size of the ring underlines the stone's character, while the whole form keeps a retro, feminine silhouette.

Every labradorite chosen for this design was first examined against the light and hand-picked for depth of colour and clarity of surface - hence the exceptional quality of the stone at a price that remains reasonable. Silver and good coloured stones get more expensive year on year, so a purchase like this makes price sense today. It is set in refined European silver 925, and the alloy, free of nickel and other harmful metal impurities, does not irritate the skin. The rhodium layer is hard and scratch-resistant, so the metal's shine does not fade with time. The French maker's mark on the piece attests the origin of the metal and its European quality of workmanship. In old beliefs, labradorite was associated with calm of mind, inspiration and faith in one's own decisions - hence its popularity for rings of an engagement character.

This ring feels right for an evening out - with a little black silk dress, where the hand stays the main point of focus. Paired with a simple, smooth manicure, it shows off the play of light on the stone's surface even more. Cool grey and deep purple in an outfit pair well with the blue flash of the labradorite, and its shine draws the eye without needing any further adornment on the hand. At 5.4 g, the ring does not weigh on the finger despite its large size.