C W Sellors - Jet

JET Whitby Jet is the fossilized remains of the Araucaria tree which grew during the Jurassic period. Its modern day descendent is the Araucaria araucana, more commonly known as the Monkey-puzzle tree. In England this hidden treasure can still be found along a short stretch of the North Yorkshire coastline. For centuries this precious jet was only revealed by means of natural erosion. Its beauty and durability quickly became evident to our ancestors and it was crafted into jewellery as far back as the Bronze Age. Archaeological finds have shown that both the Romans and Vikings held jet in high regard. In the 19th Century a Jet mining industry grew up and flourished around the small North Yorkshire fishing village of Whitby. Supply could not keep up with demand. Available seams were exhausted and poorer quality jet imported leading to the industry’s decline. Today jet is once again collected from the shores of North Yorkshire - an ancient treasure that continues to be crafted into unique gemstones each displaying the characteristic deep shine and intense blackness that is the enduring beauty of Whitby Jet.