We collected most of the stones used in our jewellery ourselves, having developed a very comprehensive knowledge of where they can be found. Collecting often involved long hikes over desolate, boggy moorland, descents of cliffs, and many hours spent patiently trudging over muddy winter plough-land.
For over forty years we have made a speciality of the delicately marked and subtly coloured Scottish agates; we also cut and polish onyx, chalcedony, jasper, carnelian, quartzite, epidote, natrolite, amethyst, caerulite and various others. In this way we can offer a varied selection of gemstones not often seen elsewhere, all in their natural colours and set in silver and gold as well as various base metals. We trade under the name ‘Stratagems’, and since no two stones are ever identical, a Stratagems piece will be truly unique.
Robin has now died but we have plenty of beautiful cabochons which Jean is making into items of jewellery. These can also be bought unset for silversmiths to use.
“Wisdom is worth more than the most precious gems … … reverence for God is the beginning of wisdom”
Proverbs 8:11, 9:10
