Whitby jet
A semi precious stone, not unlike anthracite coal. Highly compressed, vegetable material which becomes so hard that it can be carved.
Much treasured in Victorian time although used by the Georgians as well particularly in mourning jewellery. Queen Victoria with the death of her beloved Albert took morning to a whole new level, making black the colour of the last half of the 19th century.
The area around Whitby produced large accessible veins of jet, hence why called Whitby jet. In the 1890s vulcanite was made from a mixture of rubber and bakelite and this gave a cheaper castable version, as was pressed horn, again another way of simulating Whitby jet. Later as the flapper era and supper long and there expensive jet necklaces became popular, French jet came into play, not jet at all but glass, black glass made to look like Whitby jet.
Large cameos are amongst the most popular items, earrings and necklaces and bracelets are popular too.
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