Whitby jet

Here is a truly spectacular antique necklace that is not only made in Whitby jet, but also has seven panels of hand carved cameos that makes this necklace stand out like no other. Whitby jet is a fossilized material of a tree called the Araucaria Tree which is also known as the Monkey Puzzle tree. Dense black in colour – which is where the term “Jet black” came from – the best material has always come from the town of Whitby in England, where it was mostly depleted by the end of the 20th century. With a wonderful tactile feel to it, the largest piece in the centre measures 35.2mm in length and the smallest oval pieces near the end 27.7mm in length. The round piece at the very ends measure 15mm in diameter, and laid out from end to end, it measures 40cm in length and sits so beautifully around the neck. This is the style of piece that will make any woman walk tall and feel so proud to wear this. The shell cameos depict various scenes such as St George slaying the dragon and The Three Graces. The way the soft colouring from the shell cameo is set into the black of the Whitby jet, really makes each piece compliment one another, and there is no doubt that whenever and wherever this necklace is worn, it will always get the attention that it rightly deserves. As beautiful and elegant today as when it was made 140 years ago, this Whitby jet and cameo necklace is just divine.   Stock# ES3448 Circa: 1880 $Sold.