Scottish River Pearls | Hamilton & Inches

JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser.

THE SCOTTISH FRESHWATER RIVER PEARL MASTERPIECE COLLECTION

Hamilton & Inches is proud to unveil The Scottish Freshwater River Pearl Masterpiece Collection - an exclusive and profoundly Scottish celebration of nature, heritage, and enduring beauty.

Having been granted a license to work with and sell Scotland’s elusive freshwater river pearls, and one of just two jewellers in the world entrusted with Scottish Gold, drawn from the country’s breathtaking landscapes, we are honoured to bring these extraordinary materials to light.

Each creation is more than adornment - it is a fragment of history, a whisper of the Highlands, and a legacy captured forever in gold and pearl. Heirlooms of the future.

DISCOVER THE COLLECTION

EARRINGS

RINGS

NECKLACES & PENDANTS

A Natural Rarity

Scotland’s freshwater pearls are among the rarest in the world. Formed inside mussels found in select Highland rivers, they take years to develop their natural brilliance. Their scarcity is profound: only one in every 5,000 mussels may hold a pearl, making their discovery a once-in-a-lifetime event.

Their story reaches far beyond modern jewellery. Roman legend holds that Julius Caesar invaded Britain in part for its pearls. The Crown of Scotland, dating back to 1540, still glows with pearls believed to have been harvested from these same waters. Today, wild pearl fishing in Scotland is illegal, banned in 1998 to protect this vanishing species. All our Scottish river pearls have been fished prior to this ban, and we are proud to hold a license with NatureScot allowing us to craft from and sell these rare treasures.

History of Scottish Gold

Scottish Gold has been used in jewellery for hundreds of years and has played a significant part in carving the country's culture. In the most recent chapter of its history, Hamilton & Inches are one of just two jewellers in the world with commercial access to the rare metal.

HISTORY OF SCOTTISH GOLD

Supporting The Atlantic Salmon Trust

Scottish freshwater mussels depend on fish such as salmon to complete their life cycle. Today, both species are endangered. And so, our story takes a deeper turn - one that goes beyond jewellery and into conservation, commitment, and hope.

Hamilton & Inches is proud to partner with the Atlantic Salmon Trust, whose restoration projects are helping to heal these historic rivers and revive the salmon population so essential to the pearl mussels’ lifecycle.

Through financial support and shared advocacy, our collaboration ensures that the beauty we craft today contributes to the protection of tomorrow. When you wear a piece from the Scottish Freshwater Pearl Collection, you support this mission. Luxury becomes legacy.

The Secret Behind Scottish Gold Marks

In the eighteenth century, Scotland's most famous poet would not have known that the gold of which he wrote also came from the skies. This precious metal is formed not by an earth-bound geological process, but by the collision or explosion of distant stars four billion years ago. The resulting asteroids fell to Earth, forcing gold into our planet's mantel and crust.

H&I Blog & Press

Hamilton & Inches is Edinburgh’s premiere destination for fine jewellery, luxury watches and hand-crafted silverware. Our in-house team of specialists are constantly building on the rich heritage of the H&I brand in order to create the very best experience for each one of our valued customers. Here are our latest exciting updates.

The Botanical Collection | Scottish Gold High Jewellery

We are delighted to announce the launch of our exclusive new 18ct Scottish gold fine jewellery range, The Botanical collection, inspired by the enchanting beauty of Scotland's flora.

READ THE ARTICLE

The Making of The Camanachd Cup

It was a privilege for Hamilton & Inches to work on the replica of the Camanachd Cup, after having made the original trophy 129 years ago. Our work on the Camanachd Cup represents our dedication to...

READ THE ARTICLE

Summer Cocktails

Now that the summer weather has finally appeared, summer evening drinks are back on the cards. This week, we invite you to explore the art of cocktail making alongside our exquisite Hamilton & Inches...

READ THE ARTICLE

Best Places to Stay In and Around Edinburgh

As the vibrant colours of the Edinburgh Festival illuminate the city this August, we've hand-selected some wonderful places to visit or stay in and around Edinburgh. Nestled amidst and around this...

READ THE ARTICLE

Frequently Asked Questions

Before investing in a beautiful piece from our renowned Scottish Gold jewellery collection, customers often have some questions and queries in mind. Here, we have compiled our customers’ most frequently asked questions to help you along the way to finding your perfect piece.

Where can Scottish gold be found?

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.

What is the history of Scottish Gold?

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.

Why is Scottish gold unique?

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.

Does Scottish gold look different to yellow gold?

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.

What does 22 carat Scottish gold mean?

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.

How do I know my Scottish gold is authentic?

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.

Are all your Scottish gold items hand-crafted?

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.

Is the mining of Scottish gold ethical?

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.

How much is Scottish gold worth?

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.

THE SCOTTISH FRESHWATER RIVER PEARL MASTERPIECE COLLECTION

A Natural Rarity

History of Scottish Gold

Supporting The Atlantic Salmon Trust

The Secret Behind Scottish Gold Marks

H&I Blog & Press

The Botanical Collection | Scottish Gold High Jewellery

The Making of The Camanachd Cup

Summer Cocktails

Best Places to Stay In and Around Edinburgh

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can Scottish gold be found?

What is the history of Scottish Gold?

Why is Scottish gold unique?

Does Scottish gold look different to yellow gold?

What does 22 carat Scottish gold mean?

How do I know my Scottish gold is authentic?

Are all your Scottish gold items hand-crafted?

Is the mining of Scottish gold ethical?

How much is Scottish gold worth?

Is Scottish Gold the same as Welsh Gold?

Will the Scottish Gold collection be restocked?

CUSTOMER SERVICE

ABOUT

CONTACT

NEWSLETTER

FOLLOW US