Whitby Jet

by Helen Muller

Jet, a hard, black, shiny gem closely related to coal, has been fashioned into jewelry and trinkets for generations. During the Victorian period, when the ritual surrounding death and the long mourning of Queen Victoria made black fashionable, jet became hugely popular. Although jet is found elsewhere in the world, it is the jet from Whitby that excites collectors to such an extent that even jet jewelry manufactured elsewhere is often called Whitby Jet. This book traces the history of jet and the Whitby jet industry, examining different types and styles of jet jewelry, and pictures the work of some of the best-known Whitby craftsmen.

Genres: Nonfiction

56 pages, Paperback

First published March 4, 2008

Reviews

[Joanne DeMartino Serek]

Great, informative read! If you are interested in learning about Jet jewelry and the history of it, you can’t miss this book! 😊

[Kate]

This really short book sums up the rise and fall of the jet industry rather concisely and accurately. It also features many beautiful photos.

[Roger Morgan-Grenville]

A story worth reading, if only to understand where jet actually comes from.

[Laura]

This review will only be brief like the book.

Very informative but lacks the colour (& black & white) photographs I like to refer to when reading anything on Antique Jewellery. Don't get me wrong, there are still photos; but I was expecting something more sumptuous.

[Mary Ronan Drew]

To read my review go to my blog at:

http://maryslibrary.typepad.com/my_we...

[Aileen]

Informative little guide to the Whitby jet industry of the 19th century, and its subsequent decline. Lovely photography of examples of the jewellery.