Description
Whitby Jet – 10g Genuine Fossilised Wood Gemstone
This Whitby Jet 10g specimen represents one of Britain’s most iconic natural gemstones — a striking, deep black organic material formed from fossilised wood over 180 million years ago. Found exclusively along the rugged cliffs of Whitby, North Yorkshire, this authentic Jet is both a geological wonder and a piece of cultural history. Each fragment is naturally formed, rich in colour, and expertly selected for quality and authenticity.
Every specimen is 100% genuine and supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity, confirming its origin and composition. The photo shows the exact specimen you will receive, and the 1cm scale cube provides accurate size reference. Whitby Jet is renowned worldwide for its beautiful, velvety appearance, lightweight feel, and exceptional polish, making it a prized material for collectors, jewellers, and crystal enthusiasts alike.
Geological Formation and Origin
Whitby Jet is an organic gemstone formed from the fossilised wood of ancient Araucariaceae conifer trees that grew during the Lower Jurassic Period (Toarcian Stage), approximately 182 million years ago. These trees once flourished in lush coastal forests along what is now northern England. When they died, the wood was washed into low-oxygen marine environments and buried beneath layers of sediment.
Over millions of years, this wood underwent carbonisation — a process of intense pressure and slow decomposition without oxygen — gradually transforming it into Jet. The result is a compact, lightweight, and carbon-rich material that preserves subtle details of its original wood structure.
Whitby Jet is found primarily within the Whitby Mudstone Formation, a Jurassic rock unit along the Yorkshire coastline between Staithes and Robin Hood’s Bay. These fossiliferous shales and mudstones are world-famous for their abundance of ammonites, belemnites, and marine reptile fossils, making the region one of the most geologically significant in the world.
Mineralogical and Physical Properties
- Type: Organic gemstone (fossilised wood)
- Chemical Composition: Predominantly carbon (~75%), with hydrogen, oxygen, and minor organic residues
- Geological Age: Lower Jurassic (Toarcian, ~182 million years)
- Formation Environment: Marine sedimentary
- Hardness (Mohs): 2.5–4
- Lustre: Submetallic to vitreous when polished
- Colour: Deep black to brown-black
- Fracture: Conchoidal
- Specific Gravity: 1.30–1.35
Whitby Jet is a unique material due to its low density and high carbon content, giving it both strength and lightness. It takes a superb polish, resulting in a deep, mirror-like shine that reveals its natural organic structure. Because of its smooth texture and warm touch, Jet has long been favoured for jewellery, ornamentation, and display.
Appearance, Texture, and Colour
This specimen of Whitby Jet (10g) displays the deep, velvety black colour that has made it so distinctive for centuries. Even in its natural, unpolished form, Jet exhibits a subtle sheen and smooth texture. When polished, it becomes intensely glossy with a reflective surface that rivals obsidian.
The lightweight nature of Whitby Jet makes it easy to handle and ideal for creative applications, including carving, wire wrapping, or collecting. Its fine-grained structure sometimes preserves delicate traces of the original wood’s growth rings and textures — a visual reminder of its fossilised arboreal origin.
The 10g pot offers a perfectly sized sample of authentic Jet suitable for geological study, lapidary work, or display. Each piece has been hand-selected for quality and represents a genuine link to the prehistoric forests of Jurassic England.
Geological and Historical Significance
Whitby Jet has been valued by humans for thousands of years. It was first used in Neolithic Britain for beads and pendants, and later during the Roman occupation, Jet from Whitby was crafted into amulets and decorative items exported across Europe.
Its most celebrated period came during the Victorian era, when Queen Victoria popularised Jet jewellery as part of her mourning attire after the death of Prince Albert. The demand for genuine Whitby Jet soared, leading to a flourishing craft industry in the town. Each piece was hand-carved by local artisans into intricate brooches, cameos, and rosary beads, symbolising purity, protection, and remembrance.
Today, true Whitby Jet is rare and highly collectible. Modern sources are limited to material collected from natural coastal erosion rather than mining, ensuring the protection of the historical cliffs around Whitby. Its geological and cultural importance make it a gemstone unlike any other — a fusion of natural artistry and human history.
Collector and Display Value
This Whitby Jet 10g genuine fossilised gemstone is an ideal specimen for collectors, crystal enthusiasts, and lovers of British natural history. Its deep black colour, lightweight feel, and organic origin make it a striking addition to any mineral collection or jewellery-making project.
All of our specimens are 100% genuine, responsibly sourced, and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. The photo shows the exact piece you will receive, ensuring authenticity and transparency. Whitby Jet embodies over 180 million years of natural transformation — a true geological treasure from England’s Jurassic Coast, celebrated for its beauty, history, and enduring elegance.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.