This solitaire ring pairs a minimalist setting with a faceted blue topaz. The stone has a clean, cool blue that gathers in every facet and shifts in intensity with every movement of the hand. The simple, narrow band doesn't draw attention away from the stone - the whole composition stays light and contemporary, in keeping with the spirit of French minimalism.

We select each topaz for this solitaire individually, checking its colour and clarity before it goes into the setting. Good stones with this depth of colour are getting scarcer year by year, as nature itself limits their availability, and with the rising price of silver and precious metals, this purchase makes price sense today. The ring is made using the vermeil technique - a core of refined European 925 silver is coated with a layer of 18-carat gold, which touches the skin and bears the stamped V mark, confirming compliance with the French standard. The alloy contains no allergenic metal additives, so wearing it carries no risk of irritation. The French maker's mark on the metal is a guarantee of the quality and origin of the precious metal.

A ring like this sits well on the hand in an office look - against a smooth shirt, a fitted blazer and muted, cool clothing tones, the blue of the topaz gains in vibrancy. It also suits a simple grey dress or graphite wool in winter. The very small, 1.7-gram solitaire doesn't weigh on the finger, and its cool colour pairs well with disciplined, minimalist outfits.