This ring's minimalist form draws attention to the faceted black onyx at its centre. Facet by facet, the stone catches the light and plays with short glints against a deep, saturated black. Onyx has long been associated with strength, resilience and confidence, which suits well the form known as a promise ring. The stone's very small size doesn't diminish its character - the onyx remains striking even in such a modest, understated setting.

The stone for this ring was chosen for its even, deep black without the rusty discolouration sometimes found in lesser specimens. Silver and good stones get more expensive year after year, so a piece this well finished at this price is a sensible choice today. Rhodium plating protects the silver from tarnishing and losing its shine, keeping the lustre for longer. Underneath lies refined sterling silver 925 of European quality, and the pure, nickel-free alloy causes no irritation when worn. The French maker's mark struck on the piece attests to the origin of the metal.

This ring sits well on a hand resting on a soft, chunky-knit sweater, especially in monochrome grey-and-black pairings. The onyx draws the eye when the rest of the outfit is kept in calm, muted tones. It also works well with a simple shirt and a loose coat on cooler days. At 2.1 g and with its small size, it wears without any feeling of weight, and the black onyx remains a clear focal point even in the simplest everyday look.