Polished Stones on Traditional Accessories

**Bugbear** · 26th January 12, 01:40 PM

I was thinking about some of the discussion of turquoise on belt buckles and such in another thread.
I'm interested in how polished stones are used in traditional Highland kilt attire.
Kilt pins, sporrans, buttons, knife handles, buckles, jabot pins …tell us and show us.

It's a mildly interesting subject to me because I learned, when I was a kid, how to hand polish stones, probably in the wrong way

, and it has been a hobby on and off throughout my life.
Thank you.

**creagdhubh** · 26th January 12, 01:50 PM

I am aware of the late Euan Macpherson of Glentruim, Laird of Glentruim, and Clan Macpherson Chieftain, wearing real Cairngorm stones as buttons, in his royal blue Montrose doublet (sorry, no photos of him at the moment), and it looked splendid! Piper Willie Ross, featured in MacLeay's, The Highlanders of Scotland, is shown wearing a doublet with the same style of Cairngorm buttons - very smart indeed.

If I were to have polished stone buttons in my Highland attire, they would only be reserved for an Highland evening doublet and nothing else. Other than buttons, perhaps polished stones in a plaid brooch, sporran cantle, sgian dhubh, dirk, or a kilt pin - all to be worn with Highland evening attire. And the stone of choice would be Cairngorm, every time! I must say, these type of polished stone buttons are very traditional and not usually seen today.

Willie Ross - piper to Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, by Kenneth MacLeay, RSA

Cheers,

**tyger** · 26th January 12, 02:17 PM

Here is a belt buckle that I made that has a piece of marble from Isle of Iona, Scotland, bezel-set into a shadow-box dome of copper, rivited to a circle of brass.

**Tobus** · 26th January 12, 02:18 PM

Yup, cairngorm stones are quite often found in Scottish items. Lots of times on sgians dubh, plaid brooches, etc. As I understand it, cairngorm is just a smoky-coloured quartz.

There's also quite significant use of agates in such items as kilt pins. These can look really nice, due to the plethora of different colours and the way the colours interact with each other. The STM gift shop currently has some antique kilt pins with this type stone in it.

**Bugbear** · 26th January 12, 07:19 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Yup, cairngorm stones are quite often found in Scottish items. Lots of times on sgians dubh, plaid brooches, etc. As I understand it, cairngorm is just a smoky-coloured quartz. …

Ya, from Google searches, it looks like the cairngorm stones are smoky quartz; I think, referring to the Cairngorm mountains of Scotland.
I'm sure someone will know more about them.

**tyger** · 27th January 12, 05:39 AM

I explored the course toward prospecting for Cairngorm quartz, and was informed that one can no longer do so. I was told that it is now against the law to further deplete the resource. I was also told there isn't really any there to find.

**creagdhubh** · 27th January 12, 08:27 AM

Originally Posted by tyger

I explored the course toward prospecting for Cairngorm quartz, and was informed that one can no longer do so. I was tod that it is now against the law to further deplete the resource. I was also told there isn't really any there to find.

I am not so sure about that.

Cheers,

**Burly Brute** · 27th January 12, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

I am not so sure about that.

Cheers,

I too thought it was quite a rarity, or so I have been told.

**creagdhubh** · 27th January 12, 08:29 AM

Originally Posted by Bugbear

Ya, from Google searches, it looks like the cairngorm stones are smoky quartz; I think, referring to the Cairngorm mountains of Scotland.
I'm sure someone will know more about them.

Yes, you are correct. However, authentic Cairngorm stones tend (not imitation stones) to be of a rich amber colour, and sometimes, can be rather bright and shiny if correctly polished. I think it is the most traditional, and the most handsome stone for Highland dress.

Cheers,