The deep violet of the amethyst catches the eye right away. The cabochon cut rounds off the surface of the stone and brings out its colour through smooth, unbroken planes - no facets to scatter the light into tiny glints. Instead, you get a calm, even sweep of colour that catches dark purple glimmers with every movement of the hand. The simple rhodium silver band keeps the focus on the stone, giving the whole piece a bold, modern character that works equally well as an engagement ring or a wedding ring.

For this piece we chose an amethyst with a particularly rich, even colour and clarity that's hard to find at this price point. Silver and good coloured stones are steadily rising in price, and stones with this depth of colour are becoming harder to find, so this is a good time to buy. The ring is made from refined European silver, a pure 925 alloy free of nickel and other allergenic additives, which even sensitive skin will appreciate. The rhodium layer protects the silver from tarnishing and scratches, so the shine lasts even with everyday wear. The piece bears the French maker's mark, which attests to the origin of the metal. In old beliefs, the amethyst was associated with calm and clarity of mind, which makes it a fitting choice for an engagement ring.

In summer, this ring pairs well with a light linen dress in ecru or beige - the violet of the stone brings life to a muted, natural palette. It also works well with a simple cotton blouse and wide-leg trousers in cool grey, where the hand wearing the amethyst becomes the natural focal point of the outfit. The very big size of the stone means the ring looks striking on both slender and fuller fingers.