This elegant, richly textured brooch was made in the north of England around the 1880s but could conceivably be a little earlier or later such is the timeless appeal of jet. Carved from genuine Whitby jet, it is engraved with a twisting rope and S-shaped forms that curve around two spheres. There are cut-out details which allow the fabric of the wearer’s clothes to be glimpsed. The back features a long clasp which is secured with a C-clasp. This brooch, which is much larger than average for Victorian jewellery, is in excellent antique condition - particularly for a piece closing in on 150 years of age. There are no dents or surface scratches visible to the naked eye; only the smallest bit of wear to the metal at the rear in keeping with age.

Few materials are more closely associated with Victorian fashion than Whitby jet. This deep black gemstone, formed from fossilised wood over 180 million years ago, was found along the Yorkshire coast and crafted into jewellery by local artisans for centuries. Its rise to fame, however, came through one of the most defining moments of the Victorian era.

Following the death of Prince Albert in 1861, Queen Victoria entered a prolonged period of mourning and adopted Whitby jet as her jewellery of choice. Its rich black colour reflected the solemnity expected during bereavement, while its subtle lustre offered an elegance that diamonds and coloured gemstones could not. As images of the Queen circulated throughout Britain, demand for jet jewellery soared.

By the late nineteenth century, Whitby jet had moved beyond mourning dress and into mainstream fashion. Its dramatic appearance complemented the era's luxurious silks, velvets and lace, making it a favourite for evening wear as well as memorial jewellery. Its Gothic appeal was further cemented in 1897 when Bram Stoker chose Whitby as a key setting for his novel Dracula. Today, antique Whitby jet remains highly collectible, valued for its craftsmanship, rarity and rich historical associations.

MEASUREMENTS

LENGTH - 2.5 in. (6 cm)

WIDTH - 1.6 in. (4 cm)