Two Antique Handcrafted Genuine Natural Smoky Quartz Crystal Faceted Pear Cut Semi-Precious Gemstones from Mount Cairngorm, Scotland. Mounted into contemporary high quality 14kt gold fill “leverback” earings.
CLASSIFICATION: Smoky Quartz Faceted Pear Cut Semi-Precious Gemstones.
ORIGIN: Mount Cairngorm, Scotland. 19th Century. Handcut in or near Yekaterinburg, 19th Century.
SIZE: Length: 9mm. Width: 6mm. Thickness: 5mm. All measurements approximate.
WEIGHT: 2.18 carats (the pair).
NOTES: 14kt solid gold settings and other setting styles (studs, French hooks, kidney wires, ball/stud dangles, etc., are available upon request, as are sterling silver settings.
DETAIL: Two very uncommon semi-precious gemstones 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. These are very handsome pear cut smoky quartz crystal gemstones. These particular specimens are completely transparent, with beautiful Sparkle and luster. They are exceptionally clean, water clear, and very bright. They are a gorgeous smoky brown color. The gemstones were hand crafted and faceted by a 19th century artisan, part of an heritage renown for the production of the elaborate gemstones and jewelry of the Czars of Medieval, Renaissance, and Victorian Europe.
Under magnification the gemstones show 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 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 earring settings are of contemporary origin. They are high quality settings manufactured by one of the USA’s leading semi-custom mount producers. They are constructed of 14kt gold fill. They are not cheap, gold electroplated earrings. They are of genuine 14kt gold fill, designed to last a lifetime. It's a first-class piece of jewelry throughout. We can reset into 14kt solid gold upon request, and there are also many other setting styles available upon request including French hooks, lever backs, kidney wires, ball/stud dangles, etc.
These gemstones have great luster and Sparkle, and to the eye are completely transparent, but one cannot say with absolute certainty that they are absolutely flawless. True, the blemishes they possess are not visible to the naked eye, and the gemstones can be characterized at a minimum, to use trade jargon, as "eye clean". To the eye they are indeed flawless; however magnified many times over as they are here, you might be able to pick out one or two slight blemishes within the gemstones, 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 blemishes found within the gemstones, as well as the cutting irregularities common to handcrafted gemstones, all of which are by and large are only visible under magnification.
HISTORY: 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. In the ancient world quartz was used as an ornamental stone, to fashion gemstones for jewelry, and as well for making tools and weapons. 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 cultures.
According to one ancient legend, the sun and universe were contained within an enormous crystal. Quartz was also long thought by ancients to be petrified 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. Ancient Persians believed that quartz amulets placed on a baby ensured the infant’s proper nutrition. There are many examples in various museums throughout the world of carved quartz stones that were popular in Greece and Rome as intaglios for signet rings. One particularly popular style showed the upper half of the body of a man with a hand upraised, pronouncing judgment. These pieces are said to have been especially effective as a talisman during a lawsuit. The ancient Celts used rock crystal amulets to give the water of healing wells a magical potency. Running brooks produced healing water as well. Quartz “star stones” were collected from a running brook, placed in boiling water from the same brook, and then the water, imbued with the curative power of the crystals, was then given to the patient. It was also believed that quartz crystals could cure infertility.
Quartz crystal has also been used in religious and shamanistic ceremonies for thousands of years. In the ancient Greek world quartz was 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. Native American shamans are said to have used quartz crystals as divining and hunting charms, believing they were inhabited by spirits who had to be fed periodically by rubbing the quartz crystals with deer's blood. The Cherokee were known to use quartz crystals for divining stones. Australian aborigines Aboriginal tribes regard quartz crystal as a rain-stone, and use it in ceremonies meant to bring rain. And of course through the ancient world, for thousands of years, large pieces of quartz crystal were cut and polished into spheres, a scrying tool which enabled practitioners to foretell the future by peering into their crystal balls.
In the 14th century Medieval World of Europe, it was common for the quartz crystal to be engraved with the image of a man in armor holding a bow and arrow. The resulting talisman then would guard both the wearer and the place where it was situated. 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 (such as jasper). "Rose quartz" is the rarest of these various quartz varieties. The ancient Assyrians and Romans were among the first to use rose quartz, carved and faceted to provide gemstones, the Romans also using them to carve intaglios for signet rings. Rose quartz was regarding a token of love amongst both the ancient Romans and Assyrians.
Smoky quartz is brown, transparent quartz that is popular for large and unusual faceted crystals. Smoky quartz from Mount Cairngorm, Scotland, is known as "cairngorm", and since ancient times has been a favorite ornamental gemstone with Scots and Celts. Even today smoky quartz is worn in brooches with traditional Highland costumes. Tiger's Eye quartz contains brown iron which produces its golden-yellow color. Cabochon cut stones of this variety show the chatoyancy (small ray of light on the surface) that resembles the feline eye of a tiger, and have been enormously popular in various Asian cultures for thousands of years. It was a very important trade good in ancient India. And of course, the transparent colorless variety of quartz is still known as rock crystal. Although colorless quartz is relatively common, large flawless specimens are not. In the ancient world rock crystal was often been used in jewelry, particularly carved pieces.
Throughout the history of the ancient world, gemstones were believed capable of curing illness, possessing valuable metaphysical properties, and 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. Gemstones were not only valued for their medicinal and protective properties, but also for educational and spiritual enhancement. 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 also 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 energies". Even today many people believe that wearing quartz crystals benefits a person's health and spiritual well being.
In the ancient world it was believed that quartz also possessed "medicinal" value as when applied to an inflamed area, it would act as an "ice pack". It was also used It also aid in curing mental disorders, problems with the lungs (including emphysema), sore throats, skin problems, circulatory system troubles (including varicose veins and hemorrhages) and respiratory system disorders. It was also used to provide relief from pain (particularly from headaches), to cure vision problems, and strengthen the immune system. Rose quartz was utilized as a cure for stress, heart, and circulatory related health problems. On the metaphysical plane quartz was believed to enhance intuition, mental clarity and concentration, emotional stability, confidence, creativity, love, and romance; and was also believed to increase fertility. Believed to be a spiritual awakener, quartz was believed to aid in balancing and amplifying body energy, emotions, and thoughts, producing a naturally balanced, solid-state energy field as it activated all levels of consciousness. And as nature's energy-generator, it was believed to draw white light into the physical body, helping to diagnose disease, stimulate brain functions and activate the pineal and pituitary glands.
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ABOUT US: Prior to our retirement we used to travel to Eastern Europe and Central Asia several times a year seeking antique gemstones and jewelry from the globe’s most prolific gemstone producing and cutting centers. Most of the items we offer came from acquisitions we made in Eastern Europe, India, and from the Levant (Eastern Mediterranean/Near East) during these years from various institutions and dealers. Much of what we generate on Etsy, Amazon and Ebay goes to support worthy institutions in Europe and Asia connected with Anthropology and Archaeology. Though we have a collection of ancient coins numbering in the tens of thousands, our primary interests are ancient/antique jewelry and gemstones, a reflection of our academic backgrounds.
Though perhaps difficult to find in the USA, in Eastern Europe and Central Asia antique gemstones are commonly dismounted 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 originally crafted a century or more ago. 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. 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. We would be happy to provide you with a certificate/guarantee of authenticity for any item you purchase from us. I will always respond to every inquiry whether via email or eBay message, so please feel free to write.