Galleries of Members Work
Many different disciplines are practiced in the Scottish Mineral & Lapidary Club but the main 3 are Traditional Lapidary, Silverwork and Faceting.
All our members are instructed in basic lapidary techniques and are then encouraged to diversify into other associated areas if they so choose. Of course, some of our members stick with what they like but many go on to try different things, and in time, become highly profficient. Like all crafts, the work you will see in these galleries involves years of training and practice and thousands of hours of work. We hope you enjoy them.
Lapidary Gallery
Lapidary is our main focus and is a craft that has strong links in Edinburgh. During the 1870’s there were as many as 1000 people working in the Scottish jewellery trade.
The tradition of ‘Scottish Pebble Jewellery’ dates back more than 150 years, although the craft itself is many thousands of years old
Silverwork Gallery
Silverwork. Much of the lapidary and faceted work in the club goes on to be set or mounted to become pieces of practical jewellery.
Normally working in silver, our members have created many beautiful pieces, some of which can be viewed in the Silverwork Gallery
Faceting Gallery
Faceting is usually done on higher quality, semi-precious or precious stones.
Flat facets are cut and polished over the entire surface of the stone, usually in a highly symmetrical pattern. This process adds brilliance or enhances natural features within the stone.
Scottish Agate Gallery
Scottish Agates are probably the most popular stones that are worked by our members.
Scottish Agates are usually small, often cracked and flawed, but are highly prized for their unique and intricate beauty. They are found on fields and beaches right across Scotland.
Mineral Collection
Since the club formed in 1958 we have gathered a large collection of Rocks, minerals, crystals and agates from around the world. These have been painstakingly curated into a collection that rivals many museums and educational establishments. Although we have specimens from around the world, our focus is on UK mineral and especially Scottish pieces.
Click on the images below to see some of the highlights of our collection which now numbers upwards of 5000 specimens.
Quartz crystals on Matrix
Pyromorphite from Leadhills
Galena from Wanlockhead
Scolecite from Mull
“Our aim is to encourage an interest in natural minerals & their related crafts on a non-commercial basis.”
If you have an interest in gemstones or minerals then the Scottish Mineral & Lapidary Club could be for you.
Our club offers the perfect opportunity to learn the traditional crafts of lapidary and silverwork as well as gain access to our extensive library, fieldtrips, talks and more…
Take a Look Inside.
We have an extensive lapidary workshop with dedicated sawing and grinding rooms
There is a well equipped silver workshop including enamelling and metal casting
Members also have access to our large mineral, geological & lapidary library…
…as well as our curated mineral & agate collection with a strong UK & Scottish focus
Visit our Online Shop
Although we are a Charitable Organisation and not a business per se, we do, at times, have a surplus of equipment, rocks & minerals and a variety of other items that we will list here and make available to the public.
Why not drop in and visit our workshop and displays?
We are open on the following days and times:
Mondays – 7.00 pm to 9.30 pm
Tuesdays – 11.00 am to 4.00 pm & 7.00 pm to 9.30 pm
Wednesdays – 7.00 pm to 9.30 pm
Thursdays – 11.00 am to 3.00 pm
Fridays – 7.00 pm to 9.30 pm
Saturdays – 10.00 am to 4.00 pm
Sundays – Closed