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Alice Rochester
14th September 2010 15:32

Whitby jet on Coast

 

Last night I caught part of the BBC television programme Coast just as they arrived in Whitby and were talking about Whitby jet. It was fascinating! They spoke about how to tell Whitby jet from cheaper imports (although since it involves rubbing the jet on sandpaper you might not want to try this on granny's antique beads!) as well as talking about how this beautiful material forms.

We don't use jet in our jewellery generally since it is so soft, but, like amber, the idea that it was forming when there were still dinosaurs roaming the earth interests many people. It has a long history of use - worked pieces of jet were found in pre-historic burial mounds, the Romans exported it from Whitby back to Rome, and of course the mourning jewellery so popular in the 19th century made use of its deep colouring and understated sheen. Nowadays true Whitby jet tends to be re-shaped from older pieces since the bigger seams of the material have been worked out, so if there are any pieces in your family do hang on to them! Keep it clean with a soft, dust-free cloth and don't leave it out in the sunshine or on a radiator as it will dry out and crack. Wear it (carefully!) and enjoy it!

Alice Rochester
 

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  • Harriet Kelsall Jewellery Design, North Barn, Fairclough Hall Farm, Halls Green, Weston, Hertfordshire, SG4 7DP, England
    Phone: +44 (0)1462 790565 Fax: +44 (0)1462 790140 enquiries@hkjewellery.co.uk
  • Harriet Kelsall Jewellery Design, 6/7 Green Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 3JU, England.
    Phone: +44 (0)1223 461333 Fax: +44 (0)1223 365269 cambridge@hkjewellery.co.uk

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