Posted by Beth1 on October 19, 2014, 7:09 am, in reply to "Jet"
Thank you for the information on jet, Mauriz. You have filled in some gaps in my knowledge. What you have told us makes me determined to learn more about jet. Of all the items used for jewellery, this is one of the most interesting. Unlike diamonds, or other gems, it does not sparkle. I suspect that its popularity during the nineteenth century and early twentieth century has more to do with Victorian mourning practices than jewellery practices per se. As I said previously, I would like to know more of the practices of other royal courts.
I would like to note that the so called Victorian practice of wearing mourning and mourning jewels was not confined to Britain, and that there were very rigid conventions regarding mourning practices in other countries.
--Previous Message-- : : Jet indeed derives from wood and is a sort : of coal, half way in the process between : brown and black coal. Whitby in Yorkshire : was a centre for mining jet, hence the term : "Whitby Jet" for English jet. : : Jet was often imitated by using glass or : mixing pulverised jet with the ingredients : of glass in the making process. Sometimes : the goal was to achieve more luster than jet : could offer, particularly in the production : in France in the early 20th century and in : Bohemia, probably influenced by their glass : production. Our idea of "jet : black" probably derives more from that : sort of jet. : : Jet - unlike glass - will remain rather warm : if you put it into the fridge, that's one : way to identify it. Another is to heat a : needle until red hot. You'll be able to bore : a small hole with it into jet, but obviously : not into glass. And jet, like any coal, will : leave a light brown trace on certain : materials. : : The whole concept of mourning jewellery is : very interesting and I only wished I had : more time to participate in the discussion, : but at the moment I shouldn't even read the : board... Thanks nevertheless for bringing up : that topic! : :