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Cairngorm Quartz brooch, with a plain golden setting
Key details
Object number
3.5509
Date
1790 to 1796
On display
No
Description
A Cairngorm brooch, with oblong and octagonal cairngorm quartz stone mounted on plain golden brooch setting.
It reportedly belonged to Robert Burns, given to the poet for his services as a member of the 'Dumfries Volunteers' army unit.
While living in Dumfries in the latter part of his short life Burns became a member of the local army unit the 'Dumfries Volunteers' and was an active participant at its meetings. This Cairngorm brooch was given to the poet for his services.
Cairngorm quartz is particular type of smoky quartz found exclusively in the Cairngorm mountain range, it is alternatively known as 'Cairngorm stone' or simply 'Cairngorm'. Cairngorm is typically of a very dark colour and rarely found, thus more desirable and expensive. It was particularly popular during the Victorian age.
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