Jet is an organic material composed of fossilized wood. A form of bituminous coal, jet is polished to produce a waxy lustre. As a gemstone jet was especially popular during the reign of Queen Victoria, as she chose to wear jet jewellery as part of her mourning jewellery, because of its sombre colour.

Jet found on the beach at Whitby in Yorkshire, is often artistically carved to increase the value by its design. Recently jet has been sourced in Egypt, and this is normally faceted and polished to show off its waxy velvety lustre.

I have teamed these jet pillow shaped beads with tiny cube shaped glass pearls, also adding tiny gold plated spacer beads. The necklace measures 18" (46cm) long, and I have finished it with a gold plated "nickel free" clasp and extension chain that complies with EU directives.