Scotland's Gem, CAIRNGORM

CAIRNGORM , a yellow or
brown variety of quartz, named from Cairngorm or Cairngorum; one of the peaks of the Grampian Mountains in Banffshire, Scotland . According to Mr E . H . Cunningham-Craig, the mineral occurs in crystals lining cavities in highly-inclined veins of a fine-grained granite running through the coarser granite of the main mass: Shallow pits were formerly dug in the kaolinized granite for sake of the cairngorm andthe mineral was also 'found as pebbles in the bed of the river Avon .



Cairngorm is a favourite ornamental stone in Scotland, being set in the lids of snuff-mulls, in the handles of dirks and in brooches for Highland costume . A rich sherry-yellow colour is much esteemed . Quartz of yellow, and brown colour is often known in trade as " false topaz," or simply " topaz." Such quartz is found at many localities in Brazil, Russia and Spain . Much of the yellow quartz used in jewellery is said to be " burnt amethyst "; that is, it was originally amethystine quartz, the colour of which has been modified by heat (see AMETHYST) . Yellow quartz is sometimes known as citrine;. when the quartz presents a pale brown tint it is called " smoky quartz "; and when the brown is so deep that the stone appears almost black it is termed morion . The brown colour has been referred to. the presence of titanium .



http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Cairngorm

http://www.lapidary.org.uk/

More Beading by Beth

Here are some amethyst beads with a bronze Celtic dangle and bronze clasp. The Amber bead drop is light and does not add to the weight. The earrings are bronze Celtic knots with amber drops.

Agate Bracelet

This is a bracelet I made from large Botswana Agate beads. You can buy these chunky bracelets places but I had to make mine because I have such a wide wrist. Ever since I was a child bracelets have always been too small. I end up adding links to the chain bracelets to make them work.

Paternoster made of Green Quartz and Bronze

This Paternoster is made of Green Sega Quartz and Bronze.
The spacers between the decades are Ethiopian trade beads. The small round beads at the ends are from India and the little ferrule-like beads with the rope pattern are from Indonesia. The bronze angel and equal armed cross were cast here in the USA.The beads are strung on hemp beading twine that I waxed with bees wax. The round ball is a prayer box or for a icon. There are 33 beads counting the brass ball for the 33 years in Jesus' life in human form. The green stone (Burma Jade) cross can be removed and is on a hemp string. It is a little bit fragile I fear. We shall see how it holds up.