SCOTTISH ADVENTURE: HUNT FOR GEMSTONES
- Nina Gizzie
- Aug 26
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 28
SOURCING STONES
Well, what a trip! I had been dreaming of creating a Scottish stones jewellery collection for a while now, and the time has finally come to make it happen. Sourcing the stones was the first challenge and on some research there was only one clear choice for me - Two Skies. Ethically sourced and produced in Fife with a stunning variety of stones.
On reaching out to Two Skies to enquire about sourcing the stones, they suggested a visit to their site was the best way to see the sheer variety of what they had on offer and to select the perfect bundle. So a few months later i’d organised myself a little adventure.
The journey kicked off with a flight from Bristol to Edinburgh. From there, I picked up a hire car and began the short drive into Fife to the Farm that situated the Two Skies office and gemstone supplies.
Arriving at Two Skies was like a dream come true. You know that feeling you get as a kid when you walk into a sweet shop and are completely overwhelmed by all the choices? That was me, but with all these magnificent and ancient stones! Adam the founder of Two Skies was very welcoming and took me through the vast supplies of all the stones - and while I was spoilt for choice as they have stones from all over the world, I decided to turn my focus squarely on their Scottish gems.
I was originally hoping to come away with a collection of about 25 stones across five different varieties. Well…that went out the window pretty quickly. The variety and beauty were just too much for me to resist, and I ended up leaving with over 80 stones and seven different varieties! Although it'll take me many years to work through using them all I already regret not getting more…I am a gemstone hoarder after all!
You can check out the 'Stories behind the stones' section below to find out more about the different stones.
I made the most of my visit to Scotland and I managed to pair my trip with seeing one of my closest friends who is based an hour away in Callander. I had a lovely couple of days, exploring a little more of the Scottish countryside visiting castles and most importantly seeing cows (I bloody love cows) - What a wonderful few days it was!
DESIGN TIME!
Now I have the stones in my possession. I am able to start designing a collection so that they can be transformed into some incredible new pieces of jewellery each with its own unique story and a little piece of Scottish history.
Only a handful of each variety will be used in the collection and I'll retain a large portion for commissions - one has already been selected for a commission piece - so if you are as inspired as I am with the beauty of these stones feel free to get in touch.
STORIES BEHIND THE STONES
Here is a little bit of history on some of the incredible stones I decided to add to my collection. These rocks tell the stories of Scotland itself, formed over millions, and in some cases, billions of years. The images below show all the stones I hand picked for my collection and all available to be made into a stunning piece of jewellery.
Highland Marble: Mined from the Scottish Highlands and the West Coast islands, this beautiful deep-green marble was formed from ancient limestone on the seabed over 800 million years ago. Its color is said to come from the chlorophyll of prehistoric plants. For centuries, fishermen carried a piece of Highland marble for good luck, believing it would protect them from drowning.
Iona Marble: Found on the tiny Isle of Iona, this stunning marble is known for its translucent green and white hues. Often called "St. Columba's tears," it has been a treasured stone for centuries, used extensively in the historic Iona Abbey. At an estimated 2.7 billion years old, it's one of the oldest stones on Earth and is believed to carry positive energy and promote well-being.
Red Jasper (Fife & Angus): This vibrant red stone, part of the Old Red Sandstone formation, is found in the regions of Fife and Angus. Its striking color comes from a high iron content. Highly valued in the Victorian era for use in "pebble jewelry," this stone was also known as "the warrior's stone" or "stone of endurance" for its grounding properties.
Banded Agate (Fife & Angus): Scotland is internationally celebrated for its exceptional banded agates, which are found along the East Coast. These beautiful striped stones have been cherished since the time of the Celts, who used them as talismans for luck and protection. They are so revered that some are even featured in the Scottish Crown Jewels.
Lewisian Gneiss: As the oldest rock in Western Europe, Lewisian Gneiss is a mind-boggling 3 billion years old! This colorful, banded rock is found in the Outer Hebrides on the islands of Lewis and Harris, as well as on the Scottish mainland. It was famously used by Megalithic cultures to build ancient monuments like the Callanish stone circle.
Campsie Fells Jasper: The Campsie Fells, a volcanic range of hills just north of Glasgow, are a well-known source of jasper. The high iron content in this region creates beautiful red and yellow varieties, which were also popular for Scottish Victorian jewellery.
Skye Marble: Located in Strath Suardal on the Isle of Skye, this unique marble was historically used for agriculture and building. The stone's distinct color and pattern reflect the lush Hebridean landscape. While any piece of Skye marble jewelry is a wonderful find, gem-quality pink Skye marble is considered the rarest of them all.
Phew we have reached the end hopefully you've enjoyed learning about these amazing stones. So...do you have a favourite yet?
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