STONES FROM Montrose are featured in a piece of jewellery made to commemorate Scotland’s rich geological heritage.

A necklace made of red jasper from the town along with marble from Glen Tilt and Skye went on show for the first time yesterday for the launch of the Scottish Geology Festival in Edinburgh.

The piece was designed by artist jeweller Sheana Stephen, with sections depicting Scotland’s mountainous landscape and volcanic past.

Appropriately it was modelled at Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, one of Scotland’s most famous ancient volcanoes.

The necklace is set in silver and made in four sections. A large green stone of Glen Tilt marble forms the top, an outline of mountains in pale green Skye marble forms the second, the third is of red Montrose jasper and the final piece is made of reticulated silver, to represent the surface of flowing lava.

Sheana said, “I really enjoyed making the necklace and working with local stones. I wanted the piece to represent the ruggedness of Scotland as well as the different light patterns, from the darkness of the moors to the brilliance of light of the snow or the sea.

“I used the marble to represent the green of the hills and the jasper for the red of the earth.

“Jewellers often don’t think about using Scottish stones because there is not a significant trade in them, but there is a wonderful variety out there with some lovely colours and I think people like to wear something which is made from local materials.”

Geologist with the environmental organisation Scottish Natural Heritage, Colin MacFadyen, said, “Scotland has a wealth of geology including attractive semi-precious stones, as well as a rich heritage of fossil remains from huge dinosaurs to tiny insects.

“This heritage tells us the fascinating story about the evolution of the landscape over many millions of years.”

The festival includes more than 100 events across Scotland, aimed at highlighting the incredible and turbulent history of the landscape.