A faceted ruby draws the eye with the depth of its red, which brightens into warm flashes as the angle shifts. The cut brings out every layer of colour - from deep purple to vivid, saturated red - while seven cubic zirconia set around it create a surround worthy of an engagement ring. The form recalls the aesthetic of vintage jewellery: symmetrical, striking, with a character that needs no embellishment.

Every ruby in this collection passes through someone's hands before it reaches its setting - held up to the light, assessed for colour and clarity, and only then approved. Good rubies are increasingly hard to come by today, and their prices are rising alongside silver prices, so this level of quality at a sensible price is an argument in itself. The ring is made from refined sterling silver 925 - a pure alloy free from harmful metal additives that will not irritate the skin. A rhodium coating applied to the surface protects the silver against tarnishing and dulling, which in practice means less cleaning and a shine that lasts longer. The piece is signed with the French maker's mark.

On the hand, the ring works well with spring outfits: a pastel trench coat, a silk scarf in ecru and a light leather bag create a backdrop against which the red of the ruby reads clearly. With gestures - offering a hand, holding a cup - the facets catch the light and for a moment the whole ring brightens.