A silver-plated pendant set with a purple amethyst. It comes on a 45 cm black cord, so you can wear it as soon as you unpack it. The whole necklace weighs about 9 g. Made in India.
A silver shine from a thin plating
Silver-plated jewellery has a base of another metal with a thin layer of silver on the surface. It looks silver, but it should not be thought of as solid silver.
Perfume, sweat and water make the plating darken sooner. Take it off before showering or swimming, and keep it somewhere dry, in a small pouch or box. If it dulls, wipe it with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid harsh silver polish, as it can wear away the thin plating.
Amethyst is the purple form of quartz. Long hours of strong sunlight can fade its colour over time, so don't keep it on a windowsill.
Where the name amethyst comes from
The name amethyst comes from Greek and means “not drunk”. The myth in which Bacchus pours wine over a white stone and turns it purple was written by the French poet Rémy Belleau in 1576. Today, crystal lovers think of it as a stone for meditation.
On a black cord, for every day
The black cord and silvery pendant suit jeans as well as smarter clothes. The purple stone stands out on a light blouse and on a dark jumper alike. It is light enough to wear all day; in the evening, put it away in a jewellery box.
On most people a 45 cm cord reaches the collarbone, with the pendant hanging just below, so it shows above a round or V neckline.