Hermes Mini Pop H Earrings Lacquered Metal Rose Gold Blanc H608002FO49

Can the smallest piece of white enamel really change a face? After two years with these Pop H studs in Blanc, I think it can, and I say that as someone who ignored white jewellery for a decade.

Set into rose-gold plated metal, the white lacquer is opaque and even, with a slight sheen rather than a plastic shine. At roughly a third of an inch tall, the motif does not compete with anything; it simply lightens the space around the face. I wear mine with everything from a grey suit to a faded denim shirt, and they look deliberate in both.

If you have ever wanted the effect of small pearls without the formality, the idea is close but far more casual: the same quiet lift, none of the matronly weight. I once lent them to a friend with warmer colouring than mine and they read completely differently on her, softer and almost cream, which is the sign of a neutral that works on more than one person.

The trade-off is maintenance. White enamel shows every trace of foundation, sunscreen and hair oil, so I wipe mine after each wearing and keep them well away from perfume. Let the residue build up and the edge of the motif goes dull.

Two grams apiece and made in France, these are the earrings I reach for on days when the outfit is doing the talking and I want the jewellery to murmur along with it rather than shout over it.