33mm x 9mm Silver plated. Heathergems are handmade from the stems of heather, which is a common Scottish plant renowned for its purple bloom. The heather used is too old to provide any nutrition for wildlife and is cut in a manner which promotes the growth of new heather. The stems are dried, shot blasted to remove bark and dyed various colors using natural dyes. Stems of different colors are then mixed together and compressed into a block. Eighty tons of pressure is required to press the block of stems together. The block is then cut into slices and individual pieces are cut, shaped and filled by skilled craft workers, before being lacquered to give the final finish. The pieces of jewellery are set into silver and pewter fittings. A number of these fittings use Celtic designs dating back to the time of St Columba and the start of Christianity in Scotland. Shade of stone varies.
