Jet

What it is

Jet is a dark gemstone classified as a mineraloid rather than a true mineral. It originates from wood that underwent decomposition and extreme pressure over millions of years. Its name entered English from French, tracing back to an ancient town. Historically, it served as both a decorative stone and a functional object in folk magic.

Where it comes from

The substance forms from the fossilized wood of trees like the Araucariaceae family. It appears in two physical states: hard jet, shaped by carbon compression and salt water, and soft jet, influenced by fresh water. Both types share similar hardness but differ in stability. Deposits exist across Europe and North America, with major sources in England, Spain, and France. Native American tribes in New Mexico also utilized local deposits early on.

How it is done

Ancient practitioners carved jet using simple tools due to its brittleness. Roman artisans in York produced rings, hairpins, and pendants, often carving Medusa heads onto pendants. Vikings crafted animal sculptures and rings. In medieval times, workshops in Santiago de Compostela made rosary beads and crosses. Modern lapidarists still carve the stone, though its tendency to crack requires skill.

Tools and materials

The primary material is lignite, a low-rank coal rich in carbon. It contains sulfur and hydrogen, with trace elements varying by location. Spanish jet holds more sulfur than English varieties. Tools include carving implements for shaping beads and pendants. Authenticators use unglazed porcelain to check for a brown streak or heat the stone to detect a coal-like smell.

What it is for

People wore jet to deflect the gaze of the evil eye and provide protection. Pliny the Elder recorded beliefs that burning jet drove off snakes and relieved uterine suffocation. Medieval traditions held that drinking from jet bowls aided childbirth labor. In the Victorian era, it became the standard material for mourning jewellery, worn to signify grief after the death of loved ones.

Who does it

Carvers and lapidarists shaped the stone into beads and pendants. In Roman Britain, production centers operated in York rather than mining sites. Medieval workshops in Santiago de Compostela served pilgrims traveling the Camino de Santiago. Victorian jewelers mass-produced mourning accessories. Today, few specialists remain, with the industry largely dormant since the mid-twentieth century.

Peoples and places

Romans in Britain valued jet for amulets and jewelry. Vikings used it for rings and figurines. Navajo and Pueblo peoples in New Mexico incorporated it into weapons and ornaments before European contact. In Spain, Asturian jet fueled a trade in religious items for pilgrims. French industries declined in the nineteenth century, while English production peaked in Whitby during the Victorian period.

What people believe

Folk beliefs attributed magical properties to the stone. It was thought to possess the power to ward off harm and neutralize negative gazes. Ancient writers linked its combustion to medical remedies for specific ailments. These beliefs persisted through various cultures, adapting from Roman protective charms to Victorian expressions of sorrow.

When it is done

Usage spiked during specific historical periods rather than following a lunar calendar. The Victorian era saw its highest demand for mourning attire. Medieval practices involved using jet vessels for health-related rituals. Roman usage was continuous throughout their occupation of Britain. Modern revival occurred in the late twentieth century, driven by interest in antique jewellery.

Questions people ask about Jet

Good reading and sources

• Pitt Rivers Museum Body ArtsPitt Rivers Museum, Article

• Jet (gemstone) on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data