Today we are at the North Coast of Scotland on the largest island, called the Mainland, of a cluster of 70 islands that is a component of the Orkney Islands.The unique landscape of the islands, some housing Neolithic structures, is hauntingly breathtaking. One such structure is a circle of 27 stones--with a diameter of 341 feet--called the Ring of Brodgar. Scotland is also home to featured jewelry designer Ola Gorie.
Like other designers ancient symbolism and the broad scope of nature's beauty supply the inspiration behind Gorie's design approach.
Her designer jewelry collections of clean, sculptural pieces are subtle and uncluttered highlighting the brilliant gleam of sterling silver, and 9- or 18-karat gold.
The mysticism of Scottish folklore also provides inspiration for Gore's quietly evocative pieces, such as her Thistle Earrings, brooch pin, and pendant necklace.
According to legend, a Viking night-raider leading a stealthy strike stepped on a thistle and cried out in agony. Thus, Scottish warriors, alerted to the presence of the furtive Viking warriors, reacted bravely and triumphantly. This subsequently led to the thistle becoming Scotland's national emblem.
A graduate of Gray's School of Art in Scotland, Gorie fell in love with the mysterious, sweeping beauty of Orkney Islands. "There is something magical about the islands of Orkney," she says, "they possess a natural beauty and wealth of history out of all proportion to their size."
Two of her more recent collections, Tide and Flow, pay homage to the delicate curves of the islands' beaches, and the spiral patterns left in the sand after the waters of the North Atlantic ebbs against th
e shoreline.Her modern, understated designs have garnered her many honors, including the Scottish Gift of the Year in 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2003; and participation in World Gold Council's Evocative Gold - A New Renaissance exhibition for which she created the Eve Limited Edition necklace.
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Photo 1 (top right): 9-Karat Gold Meadowlark Pendant Necklace with Pearls
Photo 2 (bottom left): Gold Finnish Brooch
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