The amber cabochon in this ring has a rich, honeyed depth - when light hits it from the side, warm glints appear in the stone, as if the resin were still holding onto the sun it formed under. This is fossilized resin, not an ordinary gemstone, which is why every piece has its own pattern of streaks and its own colour. The simple, minimalist band doesn't distract from this play of light, and the big size of the stone fills the hand nicely when the ring is meant to serve as a promise ring.

Before amber goes into a setting, we assess it for colour and clarity, rejecting pieces with too many cracks or cloudy patches. Good stones of this kind are becoming harder to find, and the price of silver and precious metals keeps rising, so buying this ring now remains a sound decision price-wise. It is set in refined silver of European quality, and the 925 fineness confirms the purity of this alloy - free of nickel and other additives that could irritate the skin. An extra rhodium-plated layer protects the silver from tarnishing, so the metal's shine lasts a long time. The piece is stamped with the maker's mark, registered with the French assay office, which attests to the metal's origin. In old-world craftsmanship, amber was linked to the sun's warmth and to good fortune, which ties in well with the idea of the ring as a promise ring.

In summer, this ring looks good on a hand emerging from the sleeve of a linen dress in a light, sandy shade - the honey of the amber brings out the beige and tan tones of the outfit. It also pairs well with a cotton shirt tied in a knot at the waist and with simple woven sandals. All it takes is a light gesture, a hand raised to brush back hair or holding a glass of lemonade, for the amber cabochon to reveal its depth in full daylight.