Serpentine
Kenneth Steven explores the history of this semi-precious stone and reflects in poetry on his finds. The first stone he found was serpentine from the beaches of the island of Iona.
The first stone Kenneth Steven began collecting in childhood was serpentine from the beaches of the island of Iona. Here he tells the story of the search for the finest gems.
It was Kenneth's mother who鈥檇 taught him to search for serpentine. She explained to him the difference between these waxy, much softer pebbles and stones made of marble. Those are duller; they don鈥檛 polish the same, and once out of water they have a drabness about them. You can tell a piece of serpentine because as soon as it鈥檚 absorbed the oils from your hand it鈥檚 polished, glimmering.
Presenter Kenneth Steven
Producer Mark Rickards
A Whistledown Scotland production
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