The tiger's eye cabochon draws the eye with a silky sheen that shifts across the stone's surface as you move your hand, tracing a golden streak against deep brown. This chatoyancy, characteristic of this variety of quartz, shows to best effect in just such a smooth, domed cut. The plain, narrow band keeps attention on the stone, so the whole composition keeps a classic, minimalist outline in which the solitaire form works equally well as an engagement ring or as a gift for another occasion.

Only a small share of the reviewed raw material makes it into this piece - the arrangement of the bands and the clarity of the surface matter, so the selection is strict. Prices for silver and good-quality stones are steadily rising, and specimens of tiger's eye like this are becoming harder to find, which makes this ring at its current price a sensible choice today. The rhodium layer protects the silver from tarnishing and losing its shine, so the brilliance stays visible for a long time. Underneath is refined sterling silver 925 of European quality - a nickel-free alloy, since nickel is the metal that most often causes irritation, so the ring can be worn daily without irritating the skin. The silver also carries a maker's mark struck into the metal, registered with the French assay office, which attests to its origin.

Tiger's eye has long been associated with stability and the body's capacity for regeneration, which makes it a popular choice of stone for an engagement ring or a gift marking an important family occasion. On the hand it looks well with an elegant dress for a family celebration, in the warm light of candles or a chandelier, alongside classic, understated accessories. The small size of the stone and the light weight of 2.6 grams mean the ring sits lightly on the finger, without weighing down the hand during a gesture or a handshake.