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, more...

25 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

A French jet hinged bangle, 65 x 44 mm internal diameter

French Jet Hinged Bangle - 65 x 44 mm

A French jet hinged bangle, 65 x 44 mm internal diameter

A French jet hinged bangle, dimensions 60 x 50 mm.

French Jet Hinged Bangle - 60 x 50 mm

A French jet hinged bangle, dimensions 60 x 50 mm.

A French jet hinged bangle, 65 x 45 mm.

French Jet Hinged Bangle - 65 x 45 mm

A French jet hinged bangle, 65 x 45 mm.

A French jet hinged bangle, damage to 1 leaf

Damaged French Jet Hinged Bangle with Leaf Detail

A French jet hinged bangle, damage to 1 leaf

A French jet hinged bangle, internal dimensions 43 x 63 mm.

French Jet Hinged Bangle - 43x63mm

A French jet hinged bangle, internal dimensions 43 x 63 mm.

A French jet hinged bangle, front dimensions, 73 x 55 mm.

French Jet Hinged Bangle - 73x55mm

A French jet hinged bangle, front dimensions, 73 x 55 mm.

A jet bangle, faceted jet beads set in a black metal hinged…

Faceted Jet Bead Hinged Bangle in Black Metal

A jet bangle, faceted jet beads set in a black metal hinged bangle.

A black French jet hinged bangle, oval width 62 mm.

French Jet Oval Bangle - 62mm Width

A black French jet hinged bangle, oval width 62 mm.

A French jet hinged bangle, floral design, internal size 60 x…

French Floral Hinged Bangle, 60 x 50 mm

A French jet hinged bangle, floral design, internal size 60 x 50 mm.

A pair of French jet hinged bangles, internal size 6.5 x 4 cm

French Jet Hinged Bangles - Internal Size 6.5 x 4cm

A pair of French jet hinged bangles, internal size 6.5 x 4 cm

A French jet hinged bangle, length top, bottom 68 mm

French Jet Hinged Bangle - 68mm Length

A French jet hinged bangle, length top, bottom 68 mm

A pair of French jet hinged bangles, 6.5 x 4.5 cm.

French Jet Hinged Bangles, 6.5 x 4.5 cm

A pair of French jet hinged bangles, 6.5 x 4.5 cm.

A black French jet hinged bangle, oval width 62 mm

Black French Jet Oval Bangle - 62mm Width

A black French jet hinged bangle, oval width 62 mm

Avictorian style hinged French jet bangle, diameter 60 mm.

Victorian Hinged French Jet Bangle, 60mm Diameter

Avictorian style hinged French jet bangle, diameter 60 mm.

A French jet hinged bangle, oval diameter 63 mm

French Hinged Bangle, Oval 63mm Diameter

A French jet hinged bangle, oval diameter 63 mm

A jet bangle, faceted polished jet beads, matte enamel…

Jet Bead Hinged Bangle with Enamel Steel Mount

A jet bangle, faceted polished jet beads, matte enamel stainless steel mount, hinged bangle.

A pair of French jet hinged bangles;

French Jet Hinged Bangles

A pair of French jet hinged bangles;

A pair of French jet Victorian style hinged bangles; internal…

French Jet Victorian Hinged Bangles - 64mm Diameter

A pair of French jet Victorian style hinged bangles; internal ovoid diameter 64 mm.

A French jet hinged cuff bangle; internal diameter 48 x 62 mm

French Jet Cuff Bangle, 48x62mm

A French jet hinged cuff bangle; internal diameter 48 x 62 mm

A floral hinged bangle in the Victorian style; rose design…

Victorian Rose French Jet Hinged Bangle

A floral hinged bangle in the Victorian style; rose design bangle set with faceted French jet, circumference 162 mm

A French jet hinged bangle; set in black metal.

French Jet Hinged Bangle in Black Metal

A French jet hinged bangle; set in black metal.

A French jet hinged bangle; set with round and chequerboard…

French Jet Bangle with Round and Chequerboard Design

A French jet hinged bangle; set with round and chequerboard French jet. Width. 50 - 12 mm. Wt. 55.7g.

A French jet bangle; hinged bangle with central chequerboard…

French Jet Chequerboard Hinged Bangle

A French jet bangle; hinged bangle with central chequerboard French jet set in metal

A French jet set bangle; hinged bangle in black metal

French Jet Set Hinged Bangle in Black Metal

A French jet set bangle; hinged bangle in black metal

A French jet bangle; hinged bangle in black metal set with…

French Jet Hinged Bangle in Black Metal

A French jet bangle; hinged bangle in black metal set with French jet