Cairngorm
Cairngorm is the name given to a citrine quartz variety with an amber or brown color traditionally mined in the Cairngorm Mountains, Scotland. Due to popular demand during the Victorian period, when they were extensively used in traditional Scottish jewelry, such as kilt ornaments, bonnet brooches, or carved into thistle shapes, this local source became overworked and stones were then imported from Brazil. Local lapidaries in Edinburgh were skilled in cutting and faceting the gems to produce stones of a rich, brilliant orange color that were much esteemed and desired. Large sized cairngorms were particularly prized and often handed down through families. Cairngorms may often be imitated with glass in Scottish jewelry.
Sources Consulted
- Scarisbrick, Diana. Scottish Jewellery: A Victorian Passion. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc. VendomPress, 2009.