Jet is a dense black fossilised wood, almost like coal, and very light in weight. It is easy to cut, so carved well.
It became popular in the Victorian era for mourning jewellery, which became fashionable after the death of Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert in 1861.
The latter part of the Victorian era was characterised by the sentimentality associated with mourning. Black has been the colour for mourning in the Western world since at least the Roman Empire, and as well as jewellery, the period saw the colour used in furniture, clothing and stationery as a mark of respect to the deceased.
Jet was in abundant supply around Whitby in Yorkshire and so jet became the obvious material for this type of jewellery. Some jet was also imported from Spain at the height of its popularity in order to meet demand.
As well as factories producing jet items,
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carving of the material became a cottage industry, with the fruits of labour displayed in the front window of houses in and around Whitby.
Jet may show marks of the carver's tools unlike Vulcanite, a similar coloured material which was moulded into shape.
Imitations of jet were also made in glass, black onyx and black Bakelite.
Jet can become dull, or the surface can display a bloom, over the passage of time, and objects that retain their original shiny appearance will command a premium. Other factors contributing to value are the quality of the carving or engraving.
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