[f. the mountain of that name (Gaelic Carngorm, i.e., blue cairn) between the shires of Aberdeen, Banff, and Inverness, where it is found.]
(More fully Cairngorm stone:) A precious stone of a yellow or wine-color, consisting of rock-crystal colored by oxide of iron or, according to Dana, by titanic acid; in common use for brooches and seals, and for ornamenting the handles of dirks, and other articles of Highland costume.
1794. Agric. Surv. Banffs., 58 (Jam.). Scotch topazes, or what are commonly called Cairngorum stones.
1823. Byron, Juan, IX. xliii. And brilliant breeches, bright as a Cairn Gorme.
1859. All Y. Round, No. 29. 61. Scotch mulls, adorned with cairngorms set in silver thistles.
1861. C. W. King, Ant. Gems (1866), 94. The Cairngorum … is only crystal coloured a dark orange or deep brown by some metallic oxide.
1883. H. Drummond, Nat. Law in Spir. W. (ed. 2), 372. The hidden amethyst and cairngorm in the rock beneath?
