This sterling silver Tidal Treasures Pendant Necklace is available in a variety of enamel colours and hangs elegantly on a silver wheat chain. The 'Crystal' enamel surrounding this piece represents the sea, while the lattice-like design represents a fisherman’s creel. A solid silver Groatie Buckie is held inside the pendant’s ‘creel’ design and is free to move within.
The strong tides of the Pentland Firth guard many natural treasures. Fishermen occasionally discover one of these treasures, the elusive Groatie Buckie (northern cowrie shell), when hauling in their creels. These small, intriguing shells are said to bring good luck and can be found on the beaches of Caithness, Orkney and Shetland.
Tidal Treasures was inspired by Walter Mowatt, a customer in John O’ Groats, who wanted a Groatie Buckie placed into a design as a keepsake for his son and his fiancée. Walter’s son took his girlfriend to Ness beach near their home to look for a Groatie Buckie and, when she found the tiny shell, he asked her to marry him. Inspired by this story, Sheila designed the largest necklaces in this collection to contain a lucky Groatie Buckie in silver or gold.
