Gold-Plated Round CZ Studs with Square Centre

A cat's-eye stone has a single line of light running across it that moves as the stone tilts, and that is what sits at the centre of these gold-plated halo studs. Square cut, milky rather than clear, with the light band crossing it.

Around it are two rings of pavé cubic zirconia, one inside the other, held on fine gold-tone bridges rather than a solid backing. Double halos are usually reserved for larger pieces. On a stud this size the second ring is what makes it read as considered rather than plain.

The contrast is the point. A milky stone next to bright pavé gives two kinds of light in one earring, soft and sharp, where most studs offer only one.

Push-backs, flat to the lobe, for pierced ears. The slightly higher price than the rest of the stud range shows up in the halo work, which takes more setting labour than a single cluster does.

One honest line. The spec calls the centre a milky cat's-eye stone and does not say what it is made from, so treat it as a cat's-eye effect rather than a natural gemstone. The effect is real and it does what it should when the light moves.