A pair of Victorian jet earrings carved in the form of scallop shells. Jet, a fossilized wood similar to charcoal, takes its name from the Ancient Greek Gagee, a place on the Mediterranean coast where the Greeks mined the black mineral. The use of jet in England predates recorded history, jet beads and charms have been found in ancient burial mounds that predate the Romans - though the Roman conquerers are credited with building an industry of jet mining in that part of the world. Mined in Whitby for millennia, use of the lustrous organic gem in jewelry reached the height of its popularity in the 19th century when it was frequently employed in both ecclesiastical and mourning jewelry.
thedetails
- Materials
Whitby jet, base metal fittings, silver ear wires
- Age
c. 1870
- Condition
Very good
- Size
1 1/2" length measured from the top of the ear wire, 7/8" width
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Aboutthe
VictorianEra
1837 — 1901
The Victorians were avid consumers and novelty-seekers, especially when it came to fashion, and numerous fads came and went throughout the 19th century. In jewelry, whatever fashion choices Queen V. made reverberated throughout the kingdom. The Romantic period reflected the queen’s legendary love for her husband, Albert.
Jewelry from this period featured joyful designs like flowers, hearts, and birds, all which often had symbolic meaning. The queen’s betrothal ring was made in the shape of a snake, which stood for love, fidelity, and eternity. The exuberant tone shifted after Prince Albert passed away in 1861, marking the beginning of the Grand Period. Black jewelry became de rigeur as the Queen and her subjects entered “mourning,” which at the time represented not just an emotional state, as we conceive of it today, but a specific manner of conduct and dress. She wore the color black for the remainder of her life, and we see lots of black onyx, enamel, jet, and gutta percha in the jewelry from this time. Finally, during the late Victorian period, which transitioned along with a rapidly changing world into the “Aesthetic Movement”, there was a return to organic and whimsical motifs: serpents, crescent moons, animals, and Japonaisserie designed for the more liberated “Gibson Girl”. During the second half of the 19th century, America entered the global jewelry market, with Tiffany and Co. leading the way. Lapidaries continued to perfect their techniques, and the old European cut emerged toward the end of the Victorian period. The discovery of rich diamond mines in South Africa made the colorless stones more accessible than ever before.
please note:Terms of Sale
Antiques can be returned unworn and in original condition within 10 days of delivery for an exchange or refund minus the cost of shipping. Once a piece has been altered, including ring re-sizing, it is FINAL SALE.