Heathergem Celtic Cross Pendant

Heathergems are handmade from the stems of heather, a common Scottish plant renowned for its purple bloom. The heather used is too old to provide any nutrition for wildlife and is pulled in a manner which promotes the growth of new heather.

The stems are dried, shotblasted to remove the bark and dyed various colors using natural dyes. Stems of different colors are then mixed together and compressed into a block. Eighty tons of pressure is required to press the block of stems together. The block is then cut into slices and individual pieces are cut, shaped and filed by skilled craftworkers before being lacquered to give the final finish. The Heathergem jewelry we offer are set into sterling silver or silver plate fittings. Handcrafted in Pitlochry, Scotland.

Each Heathergem is unique, with it's own distinctive medley of colors typical of the Scottish moors -- orange, red, green, blue and purple. Sorry, we are not able to offer a choice of colors.

The linear cross, which came to represent the crucifixion of Christ, was first used on grave markers in the 5th century. The early crosses were very simple. The circle of the sun was later placed around the upper part, forming a design similar to that of some styles of the Chi-Rho. During the 5th and 6th centuries the Chi-Rho and linear cross symbols converged in design, creating the basis for the crosses we now recognize as the Celtic Cross. The earliest symbols were formed of simple lines cut into the stone face of a slab or pillar. Over time more ornament was added, such as the multiple lines in our Celtic cross, and the recurved hook on our Chi-Rho cross.