Welcoming Stones & Gems Into the GroveTop Story
Beneath the wide, quiet canopy of Oak Haven—where white oaks older than the Republic hold court and the forest floor hums with its own memory—our craft keeps evolving. Metalwork has long been our language: the weight of steel, the texture of hammered lines, the elegance of Celtic form. But lately another material has been speaking softly, consistently, insistently.
Stone.
Not the anonymous kind you walk past, but stones with history, with striations and inclusions, with the quiet glow of something shaped long before our ancestors carved their first knotwork. Stones that carry the same ancient essence GroveTop was built upon.
A New Craft, Rooted in Old Earth
While lapidary itself is still beyond my skill set—that art of cutting, faceting, and shaping stone—I’ve found real joy in hand-finishing each piece we bring into the studio. Every stone we offer is:
- Hand-polished by me at Oak Haven
- Lightly treated with Tried & True oil/wax to bring out its natural character
- Finished to a smooth, comfortable feel that invites touch and connection
It’s simple work, but intimate work. Repetitive in the best way. Meditative. It feels like getting to know each stone one moment at a time—as if I’m uncovering the last whisper of its personality rather than forcing it into something it’s not.
Why These Stones?
The stones we’re beginning with aren’t random—they’re chosen because they fit the GroveTop spirit. They feel like “forest stones,” “earth-memory stones.” They complement Celtic metalwork instead of competing with it.
You’ll see more of:
- Quartz (clear, milky, rose): the stone that holds light
- Jasper (deep reds, greens, earth-tones): grounding and ancient
- Agate (banded or translucent): nature’s own records
- Obsidian (volcanic glass): sharp history, smooth feel
- Amethyst (soft violet glow): spiritual and old-world
- Aventurine (forest green shimmer): like moss you can wear
Each carries its own story, formed over thousands—or millions—of years before ever touching human hands.
Stone + Metal: A Conversation Between Elements
As we expand the GroveTop line, stone isn’t replacing metalwork—it’s adding a new voice to it.
Metal gives form, symbol, lines.
Stone gives depth, color, texture.
Together, a Celtic cross with a polished jasper feels like a crossroads of traditions. A quartz pendant on stainless steel feels like sunlight caught in metal. Aventurine beside walnut or oak echoes forest floor and forest crown.
This pairing lets us create pieces that feel both ancient and alive—something that could have been worn 600 years ago or 6 minutes ago.
Crafted With Honesty
We’ve noticed that most people don’t expect stones to be personally carved in a small forest workshop—and that’s good. It means we can be clear and honest about what we do:
- We select each stone
- We polish and finish each one by hand
- We assemble every necklace, keychain, charm, and keepsake here under the oaks
The pieces aren’t mass-produced. They’re curated and finished—a blend of natural beauty and human intention.
The Essence We’re Preserving
Just like the oaks, stones remind us of endurance.
Just like Celtic art, they remind us of meaning.
Just like Oak Haven itself, they remind us that the sacred hides inside the ordinary—if you handle it carefully enough.
You’ll see more stone pieces in the coming months: polished hearts, natural-edge slices, smooth teardrops, and pocket stones that feel like something your ancestors might have carried. Each one touched, finished, polished, and given its final glow here at Oak Haven.
And that’s what makes this new chapter feel so right.
