Recently Sold (VICP083)

Whitby Treasure - Victorian Sterling Silver Carved Rose Whitby Jet Locket & Earring Set.  This stunning set is crafted from sterling silver, and genuine Whitby Jet, featuring Victorian styling and quality craftsmanship.  This locket can be worn as a pendant on a chain, and as a brooch. The locket is hand-carved from whitby Jet, which showcases a beautiful rose on the front of the locket. The floral carving has wonderful dimension and detail. The back of the locket is a smooth finish, incased with a sterling silver frame and a glass cover. The chain is substantial , and features a secure spring ring clasp, in perfect working order. The earrings also display a floral motif, and the original silver screw -backs for pierced and non pierced ears.

In the history of the United Kingdom, the Victorian era was the period of Queen Victoria's reign, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. The era followed the Georgian period and preceded the Edwardian period, and its later half overlaps with the first part of the Belle Époque era of Continental Europe.

Whitby jet was formed during the Jurassic era. Cataclysmic weather events caused flash flooding which resulted in devastation of the environment and swept large amounts of debris including the Araucaria trees into the sea. These trees became waterlogged and sunk into the thick sedimentary mud on the sea bed.

It's no secret that Whitby Jet is rare, unique and sought after. Throughout the centuries, Whitby Jet has been highly valued for its brilliant lustre, black appearance and weightlessness. ... It wasn't until the 19th Century when the demand for Jet was out of control and its value increased dramatically.

Whitby Jet is the fossilized wood from species similar to the extant Chilean pine (Araucaria araucana). The deposit extends throughout North York Moors National Park. Jet has also been found in Kimmeridge shale seams in Dorset.

It has also been found in other European countries like Germany and Spain, however, the finest quality Jet has always come from the North-East coast of England in the county of North Yorkshire. It is in the picturesque fishing town of Whitby in Yorkshire that W Hamond sources all of its raw gemstone material.

As a natural and organic resource, Whitby Jet is of a finite quantity, generally limited to one small stretch of North Yorkshire coastline – see Where Can Whitby Jet be Found.

Silver's history is long. The first evidence of silver mining dates back to 3000 B.C., in Turkey and Greece, according to the RSC. Ancient people even figured out how to refine silver. They heated the silver ore and blew air over it, a process called cupellation.

Measurements: Locket  50.00 mm x 42.00 mm     Chain 24"   Earrings 18.00 mm 

Stone Size: Locket (Whitby Jet)  50.00 mm    Earrings: 18.00 mm 

Weight: 39.80 grams 

Condition: Excellent  . 

Origin: England 

Date: Circa 1880