19thC Antique 2ct Scotland Cairngorm Smoky Quartz Ancient Roman Intaglio Gem Ur

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19thC Antique 2ct Scotland Cairngorm Smoky Quartz Ancient Roman Intaglio Gem Ur:
$49.99

Exquisite, Antique, Nineteenth Century Briolette Cut Hand Faceted Genuine Natural Scottish Smoky Quartz Briolette Cut Semi-Precious Gemstone. Mounted into high quality 14kt gold fill pendant (not cheap gold electroplate).

CLASSIFICATION: Briolette Cut Scottish Smoky Quartz.

ORIGIN: Mount Cairngorm, Scotland. Handcut in or near Yekaterinburg, Russia. 19th Century.

SIZE: Length: 9mm. Diameter: 7mm.

WEIGHT: 1.81 carats.

NOTES: Default chain is gold electroplate in your choice of length; 16, 18, 20 or 24 inches (40, 45, 50 or 60cm). 14kt solid gold and 14kt gold fill chains in lengths from 18 to 24 inches are available upon request.

DETAIL: Smoky quartz is the national gemstone of Scotland and has been considered a sacred stone there for millennia, a belief dating back to the Druids. Even the Scottish royal scepter features a cairngorm stone. It is made of silver gilt and topped by a 2½ inch sphere of Scottish smoky quartz and a Scottish pearl. It was a gift in 1494 A.D. from Pope Alexander VI to King James IV, as a symbol of papal support for Scotland. Together with a royal crown and sword, the three items form the Scottish “honors”, first used together at the coronation Mary, Queen of Scots at Stirling Castle in 1543. In the more ancient past smoky quartz was very popular with the ancient Romans, who often used the stone for carving intaglio seals. Much of the smoky quartz in the classical Mediterranean World came from the Swiss Alps. Fragments of smoky quartz vases have been uncovered in the excavations of ancient Babylonian Ur.

Here\'s a richly colored, antique, hand faceted, very uncommon semi-precious gemstone from Victorian-era Scotland, specifically Mount Cairngorm. Very popular in 18th and 19th century Victorian Scotland, these gemstones are known either as “Smoky” or “Cairngorm” Quartz. Generally “crystal” clear, the smoky tone is caused by the natural radiation emanating from granite stone the quartz is exposed to while buried in the earth. This particular specimen is a very handsome gemstone, completely transparent, with beautiful sparkle and luster. It is exceptionally clean, water clear, and possess gorgeous smoky brown color. The gemstone was hand cut and faceted into a somewhat coarse briolette, an old fashioned cut reflecting its heritage, by a 19th century Russian artisan, part of an heritage renown for the production of the elaborate gemstones and jewelry of the Czars of Medieval, Renaissance, and Victorian Russia.

Under magnification the gemstone shows the unmistakable characteristics of having been hand crafted. The coarseness of the 19th century finish is considered appealing to most gemstone collectors, and is not considered a detriment, or to detract from the value of a gemstone. These characteristics are not only expected of hand-finished gemstones, most serious collectors consider such gemstones more desirable, possessed of greater character and uniqueness when compared to today\'s cookie-cutter mass-produced machine-faceted gemstones Unlike today’s computer controlled machine produced gemstones that approach flawlessness in a perfect finish, the cut and finish of handcrafted gemstones such as these are the legacy of an artisan who lived two centuries ago. The setting is of contemporary origin, constructed simply of 14kt gold fill and a split ring, in a style which is consistent with the period of the gemstone\'s origin.

The default chain is gold electroplated in your choice of lengths between 16 and 24 inches. However we do have 14kt gold fill and 14kt solid gold chains available in lengths between 16 and 24 inches available upon request. The gemstone has great luster and sparkle, and to the eye is completely transparent, but one cannot say with absolute certainty that it is absolutely flawless. True, the blemishes it possesses are not visible to the naked eye, and the gemstone can be characterized, to use trade jargon, as \"eye clean\". To the eye it is indeed flawless; however magnified as it is here in the accompanying photo enlargements you might be able to pick out one or two slight blemishes within the gemstone, barely perceptible even at such high magnification. Of course the same may said about almost any natural gemstone. An absolutely flawless gemstone simply is not the rule in nature. Most absolutely flawless gemstones will upon close examination be revealed to be synthetic.

You might also notice under magnification occasional irregularities in the cut and finish. Naturally these characteristics are not only expected of hand-finished gemstones, you must also consider that two centuries ago the mining techniques even theoretically possible, let alone commonly practiced, did not allow the ultra deep mining operations which are so commonplace today. Keep in mind that two centuries ago mankind was more or less limited to surface deposits or near surface deposits of gemstones. Higher quality gemstones which today are routinely mined from beneath hundreds of meters, even kilometers beneath the earth\'s surface, were simply inaccessible then.

For these reasons antique gemstones must be appreciated as antiques first, gemstones second. The relatively superlative quality of contemporary gemstones routinely mined from deep beneath the earth\'s surface today were simply not accessible two centuries ago, or at least, only rarely so. But for most, the unique nature and character of these antique gemstones more than makes up for the minute blemishes found within the gemstones, as well as the cutting and faceting irregularities common to antique, handcrafted gemstones, all of which are by and large (if at all) only visible under magnification.

HISTORY OF SMOKY QUARTZ: Smoky quartz from Mount Cairngorm, Scotland, known as \"cairngorm\", and since ancient times has been a favorite ornamental gemstone. It is national gemstone of Scotland and has been considered a sacred stone there for millennia, a belief dating back to the Druids. Smoky quartz was popular for making snuff bottles in China, and was also popular in ancient times with the Romans, who used the stone for carving intaglio seals. The Celtic population of the British called smoky quartz they mined in the Cairngorm Mountains of the Scottish highlands “morion”, and the yellow-brown to gray-brown crystals mined there “cairngorm” Beginning in the seventeenth century, craftsmen of Scottish weapons began to incorporate smoky quartz or citrines from the Cairngorm Mountains into shoulder brooches, kilt pins and dirk pommels. Smoky quartz was and is a favorite ornamental stone set into the pommel of the Scottish dirk, or “black dagger”, a long dagger with a straight blade that is a prerequisite of Highland costume.

A man’s “sgian dubh” (“black dagger”) was invariably carried in a place of concealment, very often under his armpit. However when calling on another household, Highland protocol called for men to deposit their weapons (claymore or broadsword, dirk, pistols, etc.) at the front door. However, even when visiting friends it was not safe top be entirely unarmed, and so Highlanders kept their dirk close at hand. However out of courtesy to his host the proper Highland gentleman would remove it from under his armpit and put it somewhere where his host could see it, usually in his stocking, which incidentally also made it even quicker to access if needed. The Scottish royal scepter is made of silver gilt and topped by a sphere of Scottish smoky quartz and a Scottish pearl. It was a gift in 1494 A.D. from Pope Alexander VI to King James IV in 1494, as a symbol of papal support for Scotland, a \'special daughter of the Holy See.

HISTORY OF QUARTZ: Quartz (“rock crystal\") caught the eye of various ancient cultures with its brilliant transparency and gorgeous tones. To the ancient Greeks it was \"krystallos\", from which the name \"crystal\" is derived. To the ancient Slavic cultures it was, \"kwardy\", from which eventually the name “quartz” was derived. The clearest form of quartz is rock crystal, used since ancient times to manufacture “crystal balls”. Colorless quartz crystals have always been popular in jewelry since even ancient pre-recorded history due to mystical legends concerning the \"power\" of quartz crystals. Quartz was also ground by ancient cultures to produce primitive forms of glass and ceramics. Faience jewelry and amulets were mass produced in ancient Egypt fashioned from ground quartz and various minerals added to produce color (such as copper ore for blue-green; iron ore for red and orange, etc.). Similar ceramic jewelry and amulets were also produced by the ancient Sumerian and Babylonian to one ancient legend, the sun and universe were contained within an enormous crystal. Quartz was also long thought by ancients to be solidified water or ice. Five thousand years ago the Sumerians cut and engraved various quartz stones as cylinder seals and used them later as ring seals. As the Sumerians invented writing, quartz is probably one of the first gem stone materials to be written on, and also to be used as a stamp to make a written impression in clay. There are many examples in various museums throughout the world of carved quartz stones that were popular in Greece and Rome. These sometimes show the upper half of the body of a man with a hand upraised, pronouncing judgment. Sometimes just the head and shoulders of the man are shown, but always with the hand raised. These pieces are said to have been especially good to have around at the time, during a lawsuit. In the ancient world quartz was also utilized in the Eleusinian mysteries, initiation ceremonies held every year for the cult of Demeter and Persephone based at Eleusis in ancient Greece, to produce the sacred fire by concentrating the heat of the Sun to ignite wood chips. In the 14th century, it was common for the quartz crystal to be engraved with the image of a man in armor holding a bow and arrow. The stone supposedly guarded the wearer and the place where it was situated. Quartz crystal has been used in religious and shamanistic systems for thousands of years.

Quartz is very popular in the production of jewelry due to the fact it is very hard and durable. Some of the most popular varieties of quartz include amethyst (purple quartz), citrine (yellow quartz), and aventurine (green quartz). Other popular varieties include “tigerseye”, the relatively rare rose quartz, onyx, and various forms of agate. Quartz crystals produce an electric voltage, a property known as piezoelectric. Unable to understand the characteristic, ancient cultures attributed many mystical properties to quartz crystals. For thousands of years various European cultures believed that the mind of a medium became receptive to the spirit world via the influence of quartz when it was fashioned into a sphere or crystal ball. Quartz was believed to act as a psychic purifier, tuning one into their inner \"vibrations”. It was believed that clear crystals possessed the ability to amplify emotions, enhance concentration and intuition, and neutralize \"negative the history of \"Eastern Cultures\", gemstones were believed capable of curing illness to providing protection. Found in Egypt dated 1500 B. C., the \"Papyrus Ebers\" offered one of most complete therapeutic manuscripts containing prescriptions using gemstones and minerals. In the Eastern civilizations of China, India, and Tibet, gemstones were not only valued for their medicinal and protective properties, but also for educational and spiritual enhancement. For instance, quartz had \"medicinal\" value as it was believed that when applied to an inflamed area, it would act as an \"ice pack\". These cultures regarded also quartz, especially rose quartz which was held in highest regard, as a cure for stress, heart, and circulatory related health problems. It was believed to enhance intuition, confidence, creativity, love, and romance; and was also believed to increase fertility. Even today many people believe that wearing quartz crystals benefits a person\'s health and spiritual well being.

Domestic shipping (insured first class mail) is included in the price shown. Domestic shipping also includes USPS Delivery Confirmation (you might be able to update the status of your shipment on-line at the USPS Web Site). Canadian shipments are an extra $14.99 for Insured Air Mail; International shipments are an extra $18.99 for Air Mail (and generally are NOT tracked; trackable shipments are EXTRA). ADDITIONAL PURCHASES do receive a VERY LARGE discount, typically about $5 per item so as to reward you for the economies of combined shipping/insurance costs. Your purchase will ordinarily be shipped within 48 hours of payment. We package as well as anyone in the business, with lots of protective padding and containers.

We do NOT recommend uninsured shipments, and expressly disclaim any responsibility for the loss of an uninsured shipment. Unfortunately the contents of parcels are easily “lost” or misdelivered by postal employees – even in the USA. If you intend to pay via PayPal, please be aware that PayPal Protection Policies REQUIRE insured, trackable shipments, which is INCLUDED in our price. International tracking is at additional cost. We do offer U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail, Registered Mail, and Express Mail for both international and domestic shipments, as well United Parcel Service (UPS) and Federal Express (Fed-Ex). Please ask for a rate quotation. We will accept whatever payment method you are most comfortable with. If upon receipt of the item you are disappointed for any reason whatever, I offer a no questions asked return policy. Send it back, I will give you a complete refund of the purchase price (less our original shipping costs).

We travel to Russia each year seeking antique gemstones and jewelry from one of the globe’s most prolific gemstone producing and cutting centers, the area between Chelyabinsk and Yekaterinburg, Russia. From all corners of Siberia, as well as from India, Ceylon, Burma and Siam, gemstones have for centuries gone to Yekaterinburg where they have been cut and incorporated into the fabulous jewelry for which the Czars and the royal families of Europe were famous for. My wife grew up and received a university education in the Southern Urals of Russia, just a few hours away from the mountains of Siberia, where alexandrite, diamond, emerald, sapphire, chrysoberyl, topaz, demantoid garnet, and many other rare and precious gemstones are produced. Though perhaps difficult to find in the USA, antique gemstones are commonly unmounted from old, broken settings – the gold reused – the gemstones recut and reset.

Before these gorgeous antique gemstones are recut, we try to acquire the best of them in their original, antique, hand-finished state – most of them centuries old. We believe that the work created by these long-gone master artisans is worth protecting and preserving rather than destroying this heritage of antique gemstones by recutting the original work out of existence. That by preserving their work, in a sense, we are preserving their lives and the legacy they left for modern times. Far better to appreciate their craft than to destroy it with modern cutting. Not everyone agrees – fully 95% or more of the antique gemstones which come into these marketplaces are recut, and the heritage of the past lost. But if you agree with us that the past is worth protecting, and that past lives and the produce of those lives still matters today, consider buying an antique, hand cut, natural gemstone rather than one of the mass-produced machine cut (often synthetic or “lab produced”) gemstones which dominate the market today.

Our interest in the fabulous history of Russian gemstones and the fabulous jewelry of the Czar’s led to further education and contacts in India, Ceylon, and Siam, other ancient centers of gemstone production and finishing. We have a number of “helpers” (family members, friends, and colleagues) in Russia and in India who act as eyes and ears for us year-round, and in reciprocity we donate a portion of our revenues to support educational institutions in Russia and India. Occasionally while in Russia, India, Siam, and Ceylon we will also find such good buys on unique contemporary gemstones and jewelry that we will purchase a few pieces to offer to our customers here in America. These are always offered clearly labeled as contemporary, and not antiques – just to avoid confusion. We can set most any antique gemstone you purchase from us in your choice of styles and metals ranging from rings to pendants to earrings and bracelets; in sterling silver, 14kt solid gold, and 14kt gold fill. When you purchase from us, you can count on quick shipping and careful, secure packaging. We would be happy to provide you with a certificate/guarantee of authenticity for any item you purchase from me. There is a $2 fee for mailing under separate cover. Please see our