Malcolm Gray Silver Thistle Brooch with Smoky Topaz Stone

Ortak, founded in 1967 by jewellery designer Malcolm Gray employed up to 155 people at its peak, with 44 on Orkney, where the company had its headquarters and manufacturing centre. In 2013, when there was a rumoured move to put Ortak into administration, Liam McArthur, Liberal Democrat Msp for The Islands, said “Ortak is a strong, popular and iconic Orkney brand."and Steven Heddle, the convener of Orkney Islands Council, described the rumoured move for administration as a “major blow”. He said: “Ortak has grown over more than 40 years to be a major local employer.” Despite this scare, today Ortak has been revived and is an established jewellery manufacturer, making Gold and Silver jewellery in a range of contemporary and classic designs in the Orkney Islands. This brooch exemplifies the design skills of Malcolm Gray and the expertise of the Ortak silversmiths as the Orkney legacy develops to meet the new challenges of the 2020's. The rear of the piece bears the; 1976 to 1990 'Mg' mark of Ortark (Malcolm Gray trading as Ortak Silvercraft, manufacturing jewellers, Kirkwall, Orkney), the 925 (Sterling) Scales and the Edinburgh 'Castle' mark.