The History of Shetland Jewellery

The Shetland Jewellery story began in the 1950s.

Honouring The Past, Embracing The Present And Inspiring The Future.

 Original workshop with Jack Rae in the 50s

With over seven decades of experience, we’ve crafted thousands of pieces and seen many changes—both in our designs and in our workshop itself.

Situated in the beautiful Shetland Isles, Shetland Jewellery was originally known as Shetland Silvercraft. The business was founded by Jack Rae in 1953. Jack trained as a jeweller in Edinburgh before establishing his own business in St Andrew Square. He was one of the first in Scotland to achieve the prestigious FGA qualification—Fellow of the Gemmological Association.

In 1945, Jack and his wife Margaret moved to the remote island of Foula—the most isolated of the British Isles. Jack worked as a lay preacher while Margaret taught at the island’s primary school, which had just eight pupils (all boys).

By 1949, the family had relocated to Weisdale on Shetland’s mainland, and in 1953, Jack launched what would become Shetland Jewellery. That same year, he took on a young apprentice—Jim Moncrieff—who remained with the company until his retirement in 2001. Jim’s daughter, Gwen, also worked with us, and his granddaughter Tricia now proudly continues the family tradition as a third-generation jeweller.

Our current workshop was built in 1971, with a major extension added in 2003—opened by Jim Moncrieff himself. This expansion allowed us to begin welcoming tour groups and visitors from all over the world.

Jack’s son, Kenneth Rae, ran the company for many years before handing over the reins to Sophie at the end of 2023. A jeweller with over 20 years’ experience, Sophie was originally trained in the Weisdale workshop.

Today, Shetland Jewellery employs 16 team members and operates from our workshop and visitor centre beside the beautiful, tranquil Hellister Loch in Weisdale. Otters, red-throated divers, eiders and terns are regularly spotted just outside.

Our designs are inspired by Norse mythology, local wildlife, archaeology, and traditional Celtic patterns. Every item is available in silver, 9ct or 18ct yellow, white, and rose gold, and can also be crafted in platinum or palladium. Each piece is hand-made in our workshop and comes with a lifetime guarantee.

We feel incredibly lucky to continue the legacy of a company with such deep roots, and to do so with a dedicated team in the heart of Shetland.

We continue to make many of Jack Rae's original designs and pieces, along with a mix of more contemporary ranges designed by the talented team in the workshop. We offer Bespoke pieces, enamelling and stone setting. 

The team dynamic changed dramatically in 2023, and for the first time ever we became a full female team. Sophie, once the apprentice is now one of the older members of the team. 

 

Jack G Rae (1961)

 

 Jim Moncrieff at his bench in the 60s

Kenneth Rae at his bench in the 60s

 Alan Georgeson Casting in the 70's

 

Breaking ground at the present workshop in the 70s

 

Outside the Shetland Jewellery workshop overlooking the Hellister Loch, photo by Terresa

Tricia's 30th Birthday Celebrations with some of the team

The current Shetland Jewellery team looking glam for their last Christmas party. 

About Shetland

The Shetland Isles are situated over 100 miles north of the British mainland.With almost 2000 miles of coastline, Shetland is home to an array of spectacular wildlife including  Killer Whales, Seals, Dolphins, Terns, Gannets, Puffins and of course friendly Shetland Ponies.Along with its nature, Shetland is also known for its Arts and Crafts, its spectacular sea cliffs, its beautiful wild flowers, its archaeology and its thriving fishing and farming community.