This vintage-style engagement ring pairs a raw, sculpted band with a single jade cabochon in a deep, saturated green. The stone's surface is smooth and slightly domed, letting light glide across it gently, without sharp glints. Green jade has long been associated with calm and balance - an association, not a promise of effect. The ring sits on the finger with real presence, as if it already carried its own history.

This particular piece was chosen for its colour and clarity, free of flaws or cloudiness, the very qualities that determine a stone's value. Good stones of this class are becoming harder to find, since nature itself limits the supply of quality material. Even so, the price remains reasonable, despite silver and precious metals steadily rising in price. The band is made of refined silver of European quality, sterling silver 925, coated with a layer of rhodium, a hard metal resistant to scratching, which protects the surface from tarnishing and keeps its shine for a long time. The alloy contains no nickel, the metal responsible for allergic reactions, so the ring does not irritate the skin. The piece is stamped with a maker's mark registered with the French assay office, which attests to the metal's origin.

A ring like this feels right for an evening out - with the little black dress, a silk blouse or a satin skirt, when the rest of the jewellery fades into the background. The green cabochon draws the eye with every gesture of the hand, reaching for a glass or fixing your hair. Its vintage form makes the ring look as though it has already survived more than one generation, and the large size of the stone gives it a clear presence on the finger.