This vintage engagement ring with labradorite catches the eye with a play of light you won't find in smooth, single-toned stones. The cabochon, cut into a gentle dome, reveals cool, blue flashes across a dark, almost graphite surface - the glow shifts with every movement of the hand, fading one moment and brightening into a steely shimmer the next. Jewellers of old associated this stone with clarity of mind, inner inspiration and confidence in one's own decisions, which suits the character of an engagement ring well. The retro silhouette of the band, with softly ribbed sides, gives the whole piece a character straight out of past decades.

Before a labradorite is set, we assess it for depth of colour and surface clarity - only stones with a distinct, blue reflection earn a place in this design. Good labradorites are rising in price along with precious metals, and nature itself limits the availability of valuable stones, so buying one today makes sense from a price perspective. The setting is refined European silver, and the 925 fineness confirms the purity of this alloy, free of nickel and additives that irritate the skin. A rhodium layer protects the surface from tarnishing and scratches, so the ring needs little cleaning and keeps its shine for a long time. The piece is stamped with the French maker's mark - a legally protected mark registered with the assay office in France, which attests to the origin of the metal.

On the hand it looks best styled in total black - a black turtleneck or a simple smooth-knit top create a backdrop against which the stone's blue reflection becomes a natural point of light. Such styling works equally well for an evening out and for an everyday office outfit with dark trousers. The medium size of the cabochon and the light construction - 2.4 grams - mean the ring sits comfortably on the finger without weighing down the hand.