Victorian Scottish Cairngorm Brooch with Agate and Silver

• Agate - Agate is a type of semi-precious gemstone that is made up of silica dioxide, a mineral that is also found in quartz. It is known for its distinctive banded patterns, which are created as layers of silica are deposited in different colours including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. It is often used in jewellery, decorative objects, and other decorative items, and it is prized for its beauty and durability. Agate is found in many parts of the world, including Brazil, India, and the United States.
• Nickel Silver - Nickel silver is a metal alloy made from copper, nickel, and zinc. Despite its name, it does not contain any silver. It was developed in the early 19th century in Germany as a less expensive alternative to silver, and it quickly gained popularity as a material for tableware, jewellery, and other decorative objects.
  
  Nickel silver has a similar appearance to silver, with a bright, shiny surface that can be polished to a high lustre. It is also resistant to tarnish and corrosion, making it a durable material for long-lasting items. It is commonly used in the manufacturing of musical instruments such as flutes, saxophones, and clarinets, due to its acoustic properties. It is also used in the production of silverware, jewellery, and watch components, as an affordable alternative to precious metals like silver and gold.
• Cairngorm - Cairngorm is a type of smoky quartz, which is a variety of quartz that ranges in colour from light gray to dark brown. It is found in granite rock in the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland, hence its name, and it is typically found in large clusters. The mineral is relatively hard, with a Mohs hardness of 7, and it is fairly durable, making it a suitable choice for jewellery and decorative objects.
  
  Cairngorm is said to have spiritual and healing properties, it is believed to have grounding energy, and it is thought to help with focus and concentration. It is also said to be a stone of protection and is said to help balance the energy within the body.
  
  The mining and collection of Cairngorms is heavily regulated in Scotland, and it is illegal to remove them from the Cairngorms National Park without a permit.
• Victorian Period - The Victorian period of furniture and decorative arts design covers the reign of Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901. There was not one dominant style of furniture in the Victorian period. Designers used and modified many historical styles such as Gothic, Tudor, Elizabethan, English Rococo, Neoclassical and others, although use of some styles, such as English Rococo and Gothic tended to dominate the furniture manufacture of the period.
  
  The Victorian period was preceded by the Regency and William IV periods, and followed by the Edwardian period, named for Edward VII (1841 ? 1910) who was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India for the brief period from 1901 until his death in 1910.

This item has been included into following indexes:

• brooches, depicting - Scottish thistle and cairngorm 43
• brooches, set with
  • agate 224
  • Scottish, hardstone and other 195
• brooches, silver - silver items 2,532
• jewellery - cairngorm stone 50