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Writer's pictureKim Rix

Warning! These fascinating Scottish Gemstones could have you dancing on the table!

Updated: May 19, 2023

St Andrews Day, a day celebrating the patron saint of Scotland, falls on the 30th of November and is the perfect time to have a closer look at Scottish Gemstones. I wonder how many UK gemstone enthusiasts, jewellers and collectors know just what treasures can be found in Scotland’s beautiful landscape!


In honour of St Andrew’s Day, here are 7 Scottish gemstones for your collection.


Scottish Gemstones #1 Jasper

Scottish Jasper is mostly commonly found in the Campsie Fells, a range of volcanic hills lying north of Glasgow. You can also find it in the Scottish Borders, north of the Cheviot Hills. Here, the high iron content makes the jasper red or yellow. Queen Victoria popularised it and ‘Scottish pebble jewellery’ became very fashionable in the 19th century.

Scottish Gemstones #2 Garnet

Elie Bay, on the East Coast between Edinburgh and St Andrews is, tantalisingly, also known as ‘Ruby Bay’, for it is here that you can find garnets nestling in the shingle on the beach. Hunting for garnets here isn’t for the easily discouraged, though – I spent 4 hours on my hands and knees searching in the shingle for a small handful of Elie Bay garnets! I’d advise warm clothes and waterproof trousers if you’re searching on anything but the warmest of summer days.

A finger with a piece of garnet found on the beach
Finding Garnets on the beach

Scottish Gemstones: Garnet

Scottish Gemstones #3 Quartz

Scottish quartz is most famously associated with the Cairngorm mountains, site of Balmoral, home to Queen Victoria and her successors. This is where the famous ‘Cairngorm quartz’ is found, in colours of smoky amber, grey and, occasionally, black in colour. A great gemstone for patriots, Scottish quartz is often used to adorn traditional highlands dress.

Scottish Gemstones #4 Agate

Scotland has a great variety of agates. This Scottish gegmstone is formed in volcanic rocks in central and western Scotland and has a long history—examples of worked agates from Neolithic times have been unearthed in Scotland. The most famous site for Scottish agates is the Blue Hole near Montrose, where the deep blue and white agates were particularly popular in the 19th century.

Hands holding a Scottish Agate
A Scottish Agate

Scottish gemstones: Agate

Scottish Gemstones #5 Sapphire

The Isle of Harris, in the Outer Hebrides, is where sapphires were discovered back in the 1980s, during the construction of a farm path. Though a whopping 242-carat sapphire was unearthed in 1995, the vast majority of Scottish sapphires tend to be small. Light blue and often heavily occluded, they’re also not of the same quality as you’d expect to find in places like South East Asia. However, their rarity makes them a valuable and highly desirable gem.

Gem hunters should be aware that several of the Isle of Harris’s beaches are now protected as Sites of Specific Scientific Interest and you’re not allowed to remove anything from them. The exact location of the sapphire producing area is a closely guarded secret.

A sheep in the forefront of scottish landscape
The Outer Hebrides

Outer Hebrides, Scotland

Luskentyre beach, Scotland
Stunning beach around the corner from Luskentyre beach, South Harris, Scotland

Stunning beach around the corner from Luskentyre beach, South Harris, Scotland

Scottish Gemstones #6 Portsoy marble (serpentinite)

Portsoy lies on the north east coast of Scotland and is famous for its serpentinite or ‘Portsoy marble’, the name by which it is better known. It’s a beautiful red and green stone that entranced Louis the XIV, who had pillars of Portsoy marble installed in the palace of Versailles. It’s a soft stone, and easy to work with, so is good for jewellers starting out. The softness makes it susceptible to damage, though, so you’ll need to think about the type of jewellery and setting you use.

Portsoy Marble aka Serpentine
Portsoy Marble aka Serpentine

Portsoy Marble aka Serpentine

Scottish Gemstones #7 Amethyst

My birthstone is Amethyst. Scottish amethyst is found in many locations but especially Dumfries and Galloway. For the Scots the colour has a particular meaning, as it’s similar to that of the national flower, the thistle. Jewellers have made the most of this association, using amethyst to represent the flower.

Scottish Amethyst, Treasures of the Earth
Scottish Amethyst, Treasures of the Earth

Scottish Amethyst


Conclusion

Want to learn more about gemstones? Then join our tribe and receive a FREE Ebook all about Birthstones. It's a great starting point to get a little bit of knowledge.


You can also buy our Gemstone Detective book for Great Britain here.


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Kim Rix GG GIA

aka the Gemstone Detective

Be sure. Be smart. Buy with confidence




10,646 views2 comments

2 comentários


pamela mctague
pamela mctague
08 de nov. de 2022

Found funny looking flint at St Andrews beach will have to dig it out

Curtir
Kim Rix
Kim Rix
17 de mai. de 2023
Respondendo a

Hey Pamela, why don't you post a pic on my Facebook page called Gemstone Detective? Kind regards,

Curtir
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