The black onyx cabochon sits on the hand like smooth, dark lacquer without the faintest scratch. The deep, coal black doesn't reflect light sharply, rather it absorbs it, giving off a matte, quiet sheen. The very big size of the stone gives the gesture of the hand weight and expression, while the modern, clean setting doesn't draw attention away from that intense colour. It's a form that holds up well both to everyday wear and to the solemn occasion of an engagement or a wedding.

We select the stone for this ring so that the colour is even across the whole surface, with no translucent patches or lighter streaks - hence this uniform, saturated black. Good onyx is rising in price along with precious metals, and it's getting harder to find a stone of such purity of colour, so today's price for this ring remains reasonable. It's set in rhodium-plated silver: the rhodium layer protects the surface against blackening and scratches, so the ring needs cleaning and polishing less often. The metal is refined silver 925 of European quality, and the French maker's mark on the piece attests the origin of the silver. In old tradition, onyx was credited with symbolism of strength, endurance and confidence - associations that suit a ring for an engagement or a wedding well.

For a meeting in the city, the ring pairs well with a trench coat and a simple turtleneck in cool grey or charcoal knit - the black of the onyx blends into these neutral tones without shouting, yet still catching the eye with every movement of the hand. It also suits a classic, dark blazer and minimalist complementary jewelry. The very big cabochon means that even with a modest styling, the hand stays at the centre of attention.