Sampson Mordan who was born in 1790 and died in 1843, was a silversmith and a co-inventor of the first patented mechanical pencil. During his youth, he was an apprentice of the inventor and locksmith Joseph Bramah, who patented the first elastic ink reservoir for a fountain pen. In 1822, Mordan and his co-inventor John Isaac Hawkins filed the first patent in Great Britain for a metal pencil with an internal mechanism for propelling the graphite "lead" shaft forward during use, as an improvement on the less complex lead holders that merely clutched the pencil lead to hold it into a single position. These pencils are now highly collectible Mordan bought out Hawkins and entered into a business partnership with Gabriel Riddle, an established stationer. From 1823 to 1837, they manufactured and sold silver mechanical pencils with the marking "SMGR". After the partnership with Riddle dissolved, Mordan continued to sell his silver pencils as "S. Mordan & Co." This gold pencil which also has a pen nib is marked S.Mordan & Co. Inset in to the top is a bloodstone with an engraved monogram.}

An unusual Scottish silver brooch that was made circa 1860-1880. It is a heart shaped design with a crown above and a shield with two Claymores. It has been set with bloodstone, jasper and agate. This type of jewellery was made after Queen Victoria purchased Balmoral castle in the 1860s. Pebbles were collected from river beds and polished in to shapes and set in to silver or gold pieces of jewellery. This is a wonderful example of the art.}

A good example of a Scottish silver brooch that was made circa 1860-1880. It is set with various shaped agates in a leaf design. This type of jewellery was made from 1860 onwards after Queen Victoria purchased Balmoral Castle. A tourist trade sprang up and pebbles were gathered from the mouths of Scottish rivers and fashioned in to the wonderful pieces of jewellery in either gold or silver that we see today.}

A good looking 18ct gold signet ring set with an oval bloodstone with an intaglio of three cannons. It was most likely made in Germany in the 1940s.}

A beautiful Scottish silver brooch that was made circa 1860. The different coloured agates have been cut to fit an interlocking pattern. This was time consuming and very skilled work. The fashion for Scottish pebble jewellery began when Queen Victorian purchased Balmoral castle in the Highlands in the 1860s. Stones were sourced in river beds and polished and set in to all sorts of styles of jewellery and sold to the burgeoning tourist trade. These brooches are highly collectable today as they are small works of art.}

A good unusual pair of 9ct gold Scottish earrings which were made circa 1860-1880. They are set with different coloured agates such as bloodstone and jasper. The design is a shield with a crown above and a Maltese cross. Gold Scottish earrings are really hard to find especially in such good condition as these are.}

An unusual piece of jewellery that was made circa 1880. It is 15ct gold and is composed of a swivel section that has a plain bloodstone on one side and a carnelian on the other. The elephant looks like a circus elephant balancing on top of the swivel seal. It would be an eye catcher when worn around the neck!}

A good looking 9ct gold signet ring set with an oval bloodstone which can be engraved if wanted with either a crest or monogram. It was made in Chester in 1908.}

This brooch was made circa 1860. It is designed as a thistle and lock. It is set with jasper, bloodstone and other agates with seven cabochon citrines. The stones were sourced in the mouth of Scottish rivers and polished in to shapes and set in to items of jewellery from the 1860s onwards. Queen Victorian purchased Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands in the 1860s and this spawned a thriving tourist trade in this type of jewellery. It is highly collectable today because of the history and quality of the workmanship.}

An unusual and rare 15ct gold bracelet set with rectangular agates that was made circa 1820. They stones have all been especially chosen to show their unusual characteristics. The Georgians had a fascination for stones and this bracelet is an excellent example of the passion they had!}

A good looking 18ct gold signet ring. It is set with an oval bloodstone which has been engraved with a cockerel's head. A great gift for the man in your life!}

An unusual Scottish silver brooch. It is in the shape of a horn and inset with different agates including bloodstone. The silver has been beautifully engraved on both ends. It is in excellent condition and was made circa 1860-1880.}

A pretty seal with a plain shield shaped bloodstone base. It was made circa 1840 and would look great worn on it's own or with other pieces on a chain or a bracelet.}

A lovely early Victorian gold cased seal with a shield shaped base set with a bloodstone. The intaglio is an Earl's crest with a crown and griffin. It would look great worn with other pieces on a chain or on a bracelet.}

An impressive Victorian 18ct gold signet ring set with a plain shield shaped bloodstone. The shoulders are entwined knots which continue above and below the bloodstone. It is a lovely design and was made in 1863 in Birmingham.}

A very good example of a Scottish Victorian brooch. It is set with jasper, bloodstone and other agates. The stones were sourced in the mouth of Scottish rivers and polished in to shapes and set in to items of jewellery from the 1860s onwards. Queen Victorian purchased Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands in the 1860s and this spawned a thriving tourist trade in this type of jewellery. It is highly collectable today because of the history and quality of the workmanship. In the centre is a large oval deep orange citrine.}

A good Victorian 18ct revolving seal fob. It has an oval plain carnelian stone on one side and an oval bloodstone intaglio of a crest with a hedgehog on the other, with an inscription below "Te Domine Speravi" "I trust you" It was made in 1888.}

A lovely 18ct gold seal which would look good worn on its own on a neck chain or with other seals. These seals are small works of art. This one has a bloodstone base with an intaglio of a willow tree shading an urn and the words "Remember me".}

A good quality and very well carved bloodstone signet ring featuring a winged eagle surmounting a helmet, a lion rampant, and guard with central crest.It is 18ct gold.}

A most unusual and detailed silver brooch which was made circa 1860-1870. Scottish related jewellery became very popular when Queen Victoria purchased Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands. A large tourist trade grew up in the area with many artefacts being reproduced such as horn beakers. Jewellery was made with romantic illusions to Scotland's past and set with local stones such as bloodstone and jasper which were sourced in the river beds.The resulting colour combinations and designs are very appealing and a great draw to collectors all over the world.}

This is a pretty and well designed Regency seal which was made circa 1820 and has scroll work and bird's head motifs. The base is a bloodstone with the initials "AH" in a monogram. There is a watch key to match here.}

A 9ct gold swivel pendant with a carnelian on one side and a bloodstone on the other. It hinges open to reveal a locket section. It was made circa 1880.}

For any owl lovers out there these are a charming pair of cufflinks which have an owl motif. They were made circa 1930 and have bloodstone ends.}

Victorian Scottish drop earrings set to the centre with citrines in a bloodstone and jasper surround. All the stones are local to Scotland. They are rare and highly collectable. Made around 1860 when Queen Victoria bought Balmoral castle and Scottish jewels were in.}