These small Tidal Treasures drop earrings in luxurious 18ct yellow gold are a perfect complement to the rest of Sheila’s Tidal Treasures collection. The enamel around each teardrop-shaped piece represents the sea, while the lattice-like design represents a fisherman’s creel.
The strong tides of the Pentland Firth guard many natural treasures. Fishermen occasionally discover one of these treasures, the elusive Groatie Buckie (northern cowrie), 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.
