Hermes Amulettes Constance Pendant Necklace Rose Gold Noir H221354B 00

Six and a half carats of black jade in a pendant this size is a lot of stone, and you feel it the moment you pick the necklace up. The Amulettes Constance in rose gold sets a single dark cabochon into the H, framed by warm metal, on a chain adjustable between 14.96 and 15.75 inches.

Black against rose gold is the most decisive combination in the amulet line. I wear mine over a white shirt and it becomes the only object in the outfit; over black it disappears almost completely, which is oddly useful at a formal event where jewellery is not meant to compete.

The stone is polished rather than faceted, so it holds a dull gleam instead of a sparkle, and it warms to body heat within a minute of putting it on. Because the plaque has real mass it hangs dead centre and does not flip, which is more than I can say for most pendants on a fine chain.

One honest note: jade prefers humidity and dislikes long storage in dry safes, so wear it rather than hoard it. And the weight, close to 6.5 carats, means the chain carries more than a light pendant would.

If you are weighing the black jade against the diamond Constance, think about occasion: the stone is unmistakable in daylight and rather sober after dark, which makes this the pendant I pack for work trips and leave at home for weddings. Mine has kept its polish with nothing but a soft cloth. The gold is 750/1000 and the work is French, with the chain light enough for the weight of the stone.