A post about the rock, jet, where we get the phrase "jet black" from.
It's actually not a mineral, it's a coal, made of decaying wood. It actually burns with a blue light if you burn it. Not surprisingly, it is a very soft rock (about a 2.5-4 on a Mohs hardness scale...your fingernail can scratch a rock that's a 2, so this barely beats that.)
Queen Victoria made it fashionable when she wore it as mourning jewelry. Jet was the higher-end mourning jewelry, though the Victorians also used dark woods and horn.
Since Jet is so soft, it can be easily carved:
It can also be faceted:
Whitby jet was said to be the darkest, shiniest jet.
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| this one is whitby jet and horn |
Victorian jet jewelry is surprisingly inexpensive (Since it is so soft, some of it hasn't aged well). I took a look at a few vintage shopping sites and prices seem to run between 75-400. Beware of "French jet" which is actually glass. I've got my eye on a few pieces...waiting for my next paycheck!
Something you'd wear? I'm interested in it more for the stone and history. I typically don't wear the more fancy goth styles.
Something you'd wear? I'm interested in it more for the stone and history. I typically don't wear the more fancy goth styles.
