Flower ring, set amethysts

Nine amethysts make up this rosette: one oval at the centre, surrounded by four square and four round, all bezel-set. The silver plate, deliberately blackened, brings out the purple of the stone — a contrast found throughout traditional Berber jewellery.

Amethyst is the purple variety of quartz; its colour comes from the iron held in the crystal. It is the birthstone of February, to which tradition attributes calm and clarity of mind.

A ring with character, best worn alone on an otherwise plain hand.