Scottish Gold Jewellery

Scottish gold can be found across Scotland in rivers and streams. However, the first commercial mine dedicated to the ethical extraction of the precious metal resides at Tyndrum. The Cononish mine, operated by ScotGold Resources, contains both gold and silver with estimates of 198,000oz of gold and 851,000oz of silver.

The Scots have long been known for their love of gold, with Iron Age “torcs” discovered in the Blair Drummond area dating from the Iron Ages. And whilst Royalty and people of note adorned themselves in the precious metal, it was in the 16th century that gold mining grew in importance. The Crawford Muir mine, in South Lanarkshire, had 300 miners working at its peak. During its time, over £65 million was extracted. Since then, there have been several discoveries of gold in Crawfordjohn, Wanlockhead, Fife, and Sutherland however the Cononish Mine is the first commercial mine of its kind.

Scottish gold is unique because it is one of the rarest precious metals in the world. As our country has a unique blend of elements, so too does our gold – impacted by geology and composition. As a result, Scottish Gold exudes a warm amber glow.

Our collection offers the only 22 carat Scottish Gold jewellery in the world and can be identified by a unique trace element that only the Edinburgh Assay Office and the Cononish Gold Mine can identify. The quantity of gold from the mine is limited to 198,000oz meaning each nugget is incredibly valuable. The gold is also extracted ethically, with the utmost respect offered to the surroundings and its people. Scotgold Resources is committed to supporting local businesses and initiatives where economically possible, providing employment for local people and engaging regularly with the community. 

There is a noticeable difference between the colour of Scottish Gold compared to yellow gold, but this is mainly because the collection has been created using 22 carat Scottish Gold which is incredibly pure. It has a more orange hue to it, likened to whisky or amber.

22 carat Scottish gold means that the products are composed of 22 carats making them 91.6% pure. However, it must be mixed with pure copper and silver to help ensure the strength of the product. Each piece of Scottish Gold jewellery will be hallmarked by the Edinburgh Assay Office to prove the amount of gold used.

Hamilton & Inches work with Scotgold Resources and the Edinburgh Assay Office to ensure the route to market is transparent and the purity of the gold protected. Any Scottish Gold from the Cononish mine can, at no stage, mix with other gold. As a result, we have a series of strict procedures covering the storage, handling and use of Scottish Gold to ensure its integrity is retained. In addition, we work with the Edinburgh Assay Office who are able to identify a unique trace element within our pieces of Scottish Gold jewellery. It is then hallmarked to prove it contains 22 or 18 carat gold. When you purchase a piece of jewellery from the collection, you will also be presented with a certificate as assurance.

Every piece of Scottish Gold jewellery is hand-crafted in the workshops of Hamilton & Inches above our showroom on George Street, Edinburgh. This ensures the safe storage and handling of Scottish Gold as, at all times, the precious metal must be kept in isolation from other materials.

The skill of our craftspeople results in items of exceptional beauty. The Premiere collection, created in 2019, showcases the very finest of modern-day craft, inspired by royal tales of our past.

Scotgold Resources engage in a thorough Environmental, Social and Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility programme helping align the needs of the local community, people and environment to business practises. From ensuring efficient and effective waste management systems are deployed to developing friendly ways of exploring the mines, each operation touchpoint is considered to ensure they are as ethical as possible.

Scottish Gold will always retain a higher worth than yellow or other types of gold. This is largely due to the rarity of the precious metal, as well as the efforts and investments which go into ensuring it is mined ethically and kept separate from all other gold forms. Interestingly, the UK’s largest gold nugget was found in Scotland and was valued at £80,000.