A gentle flash of blue brings the moonstone in this modern ring to life. The cabochon cut sets off the adularescence - as the hand moves or the ring turns in the light, a cool, bluish glow drifts across the surface of the stone. This effect shows best in motion, not at rest, so the stone takes on a different character with every gesture. The simple, smooth band doesn't draw attention away from this play of light, and the shape stays distinctly contemporary and light on the finger.

Before it goes into the setting, every moonstone is assessed for clarity and the intensity of its sheen, since these are what define its character. Good stones of this kind are getting harder to find today, and the price of silver and precious metals keeps rising steadily, so a purchase like this makes sense from a value standpoint right now. Refined sterling silver 925 of high alloy purity is coated with a layer of rhodium, which protects the surface against tarnishing and blackening - the ring keeps its shine longer and needs less cleaning. The alloy, free of nickel and other harmful additives, is safe even for sensitive skin. The piece is stamped with a maker's mark registered with the French assay office, which attests to the origin of the metal. Moonstone has long been associated with intuition, inner awareness and meditation. As an engagement and promise ring, it carries just that kind of personal meaning.

Day to day, it pairs well with an oversized sweater, a loosely draped scarf and a calm palette - beige, grey, deep navy. Against that backdrop, it's the stone's blue flash that catches the eye as the hand lifts in a gesture or adjusts the scarf. It also works well with a simple shirt and loose trousers in a cooler shade, where an understated look lets the stone take the lead. Its medium size and weight of 4.7 g give the ring a lightness you can feel with every movement of the hand.