This is a vintage Scottish Thistle Pin, created between 1900 and 1930. The pin has a glorious glass citrine rhinestone. This glass citrine was made to look like a Cairngorm. The Cairngorm is a gemstone found only in the Scottish Highlands. The Cairngorm mountain range was the sole source of a unique mineral, a smoky quartz crystal which took its name from the mountain range in which it was found. Most cairngorm crystals were a deep, rich yellow-brown color. They were popularized by Queen Victoria who loved all things from the Scottish Highlands.
The pin 1.75 inches long, has a working C-clasp and appears to be composed of coin silver however unmarked.
The story of the Scottish Thistle:
The Thistle is a resilient weed and has always bloomed across Scotland's landscape...
One of the best-known thistle legends takes place in the mid 13th century during a surprise invasion by the soldiers of the Norse king, Haakon, at Largs (one of western Scotland's coastal towns).
The story has it that after coming ashore, this Viking force planned to creep up deals on the Scottish Clansmen and Highlanders and overcome them while they slept.
Unfortunately for these unwary invaders, one of their soldiers bare feet came down hard on a Scottish thistle and his cries of shock and pain were enough to wake the sleeping Scots.
This amount of stealth required that they go barefoot - which proved to be their undoing. Leaping to their feet, the clansmen charged into battle and the rest, as they say, is history... and yes, the fiery Scots were victorious.
Please review the photos carefully and email with any questions you may have prior to making a purchase.
Enjoy.
Product code: Vintage Victorian Scottish Thistle Pin with Glass Cairngorm 1.75" Glorious deals Color