A black onyx cabochon opens up this ring with a deep, matte black that catches a soft sheen in the light with every movement of the hand. Around it sit ten small cubic zirconias, which catch the light and set off the line of the band with its distinctly retro look. Onyx has long been associated with strength and endurance, and craftsmen of past eras prized it as the stone of confidence. That association sits well with the character of an engagement and promise ring meant to last for years to come.

For this setting we chose a stone of deep, even black with no streaks or translucent patches, since it is exactly this purity of colour that determines a stone's class. Fine-quality 925 silver, extracted and refined in Europe, holds it in a setting with a delicate, vintage character, and a rhodium layer protects the surface from tarnishing and scratches, so the shine stays bright for years. The silver is stamped with the maker's mark, registered with the French assay office, which attests to the metal's origin. The prices of silver and of good, clean onyx are steadily rising, and finding a stone without flaws grows harder year by year - which makes a purchase like this make sense price-wise today. The ring weighs 3.4 g and comes in a medium size, so it feels light on the finger, never heavy.

In summer it pairs well with a linen dress in a light, sandy shade or a simple cotton shirt - the black of the onyx draws the eye against white and beige, needing no extra adornment. It also looks good with a light blouse and a rolled-up sleeve, when the hand rests casually on a table or the back of a chair. The retro line of the band and the dark stone together create a shape suited both to an engagement and as a promise for years to come.