The saturated purple of the ruby draws the eye the moment it catches your hand. The faceted cut breaks the colour into fine glints that shift in intensity with every movement - from deep red to a lighter, almost rose-tinted glow. The solitaire form was conceived with minimalism in mind: a narrow band that doesn't compete with the stone but simply frames it.

Each ruby for this ring was examined individually before being set - what mattered was depth of colour and clarity within the stone. Rubies of this quality are becoming harder to find, and their price rises along with precious metals, so this piece at its current price is a sound choice to make today. The band is made of refined European silver, plated with rhodium - a hard, scratch-resistant metal that keeps its shine even after months of wear. The 925 fineness confirms the purity of the alloy, free of nickel and other harmful additives, so the ring causes no irritation. The maker's mark struck on the piece is registered with the French assay office, attesting to the origin of the metal.

A solitaire like this feels at home in everyday wear - paired with simple jeans, a white shirt and a leather jacket, it takes on an easy, city character. Its delicate, very small form sits lightly on the finger, and the ruby catches the light with every movement of the hand, whether reaching for a cup or adjusting a shirt cuff. It's a ring that works equally well under a loose sweater or on a bare wrist on cooler days.