Whitby jet is nearly 200 million years old and was mined both on the coast and inland. Nowadays you can still find Whitby jet by beachcombing on the Yorkshire coast.
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Can you find Jet on the beach at Whitby?
Although Jet can be found worldwide, the finest quality Jet is found in seams of shale along the Whitby coastline. It can be found in the exposed cliffs along the coast and also on the beaches and in amongst the foreshore rocks.
How do you spot a Whitby Jet?
The smudge test is an easy one. Make a mark on an unglazed ceramic tile or a wet/dry piece of paper and take a look at the colour left behind. If it leaves a brown streak then the piece of Jet is genuine. Many are surprised to learn that Whitby Jet is cool to touch.
Is Whitby Jet rare?
Only found on the 7.5 mile North Yorkshire coastline, Whitby Jet is extremely rare. It’s millions and millions of years old and only forms under the most perfect conditions.
Why is there so much Jet in Whitby?
A lot of the love for Whitby jet can be traced back to the Victorians, who helped make Whitby a popular seaside spot. A jet souvenir became a “must-have” item for Victorian holiday makers, but jet’s popularity soared when Queen Victoria began wearing it in remembrance of her husband Albert after his death in 1861.
How do you tell if it is jet?
The best trick to tell if you have found a piece of the jet is to rub a corner on a light piece of stone, if the rubbing leaves a black mark you have probably found coal if the rubbing leaves a brown mark you will have found jet. A high-quality piece of jet is quite hard compared to coal and leaves pale brown rubbing.
Does Whitby jet scratch?
We advise that this technique should always be carried out by a professional to avoid damaging an antique or causing a fire! TEST 6: Whitby jet will not scratch glass but glass will definitely scratch Whitby jet – it’s as simple as that!
How can you tell if a rock is a jet?
For a less-risky method of testing, scrape an inconspicuous area of the piece in question onto a rough surface, like the back of a ceramic tile or the bottom of a piece of unglazed porcelain. If it leaves a brown mark, the piece is likely jet.
How can you tell the difference between glass and jet?
Glass is much heavier than Jet. Jet does not feel cold, glass does. Glass has a smooth surface, while jet will feel either waxy or velvety. Jet can be easily scratched, while glass is harder.
Does Whitby jet feel like plastic?
Whitby jet is also a poor thermal conductor and so always feels warm, as heat is not quickly transferred away from the surface. Today we often describe jet as feeling ‘plasticky’, however, in the mid nineteenth century plastic was yet to be discovered.
Is Whitby jet heavy or light?
Is Whitby Jet Heavy or Light? A piece of Whitby Jet jewellery will definitely be your next purchase once you’ve discovered how lightweight it is. Jet really is weightless and therefore, so comfortable to wear.
Can you burn Whitby jet?
The definitive test is to use a red hot needle on some inconspicuous part of the item when a coal-burning smell will ensue. However be very careful not to destroy or damage the item, remember Jet will burn.
Is Whitby jet a precious stone?
Whitby Jet is a semi precious organic gemstone formed over millions of years from the fossilised remains of the modern day Monkey Puzzle, and other similar trees.
Is Whitby jet Onyx?
One of the most loved traits of Whitby Jet is its weightlessness. It’s super comfy to wear, even the oversized large designs. However, onyx is pretty heavy in comparison and therefore, if the stone or piece of jewellery you are holding is weighty it is Onyx rather than Jet.
Can Whitby jet be repaired?
Of course, there may be areas that need to be restored by our jewellery specialists however, it will be due to wear and tear over decades rather than cracking. Our expert team are able to repair these tiny damages to make the piece look as good as new.
Is Whitby jet brittle?
Unlike many gemstones, jet is not a mineral, but is rather a mineraloid.
Jet (gemstone)
| Jet | |
|---|---|
| Tenacity | Brittle |
| Mohs scale hardness | 2.5–4.0 |
| Streak | Brown |
| Specific gravity | 1.3–1.4 |
Where is jet stone found?
Jet is actually derived from decaying wood that undergoes extreme pressure and heat. The wood then becomes fossilized as a compact black material. Fine-quality jet was mined in Whitby, England though jet has also been found in Spain, France, Russia, Poland, India, Turkey, China, Germany, Cambodia and the United States.
Are jet and obsidian the same?
We have to admit that Black Obsidian has a beautiful high sheen similar to Jet however, Obsidian has a more glass-like appearance due to how it’s formed. Whitby Jet is fossilised wood whereas Obsidian is natural glass.
What does jet feel like?
Jet is surprisingly light weight in the hand, whereas French jet glass will always feel heavier. This is because natural jet is fossilized wood, after all. Jet takes on a soft sheen, almost a glow when polished. French jet glass takes on a high polish with a mirror-like reflection.
What is Whitby jet good for?
Health Benefits. Whitby Jet is a great healer when it comes to physical ailments too, easing swelling and inflammation in particular. It’s also been known to help with a whole list of complaints such as stomach pains, menstrual cramps, migraines, headaches and colds.
Does Whitby jet chip?
Antique Whitby jet jewellery is highly prized and desired. It is black in colour, and occasionally prone to cracking and chipping with age.