Related Facts on Jet

When you read the word jet what comes to mind? The fact that it's a type of fossilized coal? That it's a deep black (hence jet black)? Or maybe that it was Victoria who made it the gem during her years in mourning.

What's that you say? All of the above? Well then, this is an article for you because if you know that much about jet already, then you must be looking for more information! I hope it meets your standards.

To start, jet is a mineraloid, and it's name comes from the French word jaiet. A more scientific name for jet is lignite. A more abstract name is gagagite. Perhaps because the earliest place jet has been mined is called gagee (or gagas depending)?

Curiously enough, long ago in the Grand Period, jet was claimed not to have been organic(Tate and Blake 1876). Ah, how times change...

Some scientific facts for jet are:

its color can vary from black to brown, and it may include pyrite (fools gold) inclusions.

it becomes charged when rubbed with silk or wood.

Jet is soft (hardness ranging from 2.5 to 4)

its refractive index ranges from 1.64 to 1.68

its specific weight ranges from 1.10 to 1.40

Most commonly in cabochon cut (no facets as its so soft)

Historically, jet has been used since before the time of the Romans (1500 B.C.) Its appeal (like many gems) spans thousands of years!

When the Romans mined jet, it came from Whitby. When Victoria was wearing her "widow's weeds" her jet mourning jewelry also came from Whitby.

Needless to say, jet became the fashion. Any type of jewelry you wanted could be made from jet: Crosses, earrings, bracelts, pins, anything. Even chains! Whitby's jet deposits were quite deep, lucky it. Especially since, before Victoria's mourning, jet sales had been low. However, once jet sales took off, the demand became so great that jewelers were forced to import other types of jet for a time.

On a side note, to keep jet nice and shiny, rub a bit of mineral oil on it. That's the best way, or so it's said. Also, don't ultrasonically clean jet if you want to keep it in one piece. Hand wash it instead.

P.S: Whitby is also known for it's fossils, including whole pterodactyls and ammonites. Isn't that neat? Natural history is amazing.