Description
Whitby Jet – 13g Genuine Fossilised Wood Gemstone
This Whitby Jet 13g specimen is an authentic piece of Britain’s geological and cultural history — a rare organic gemstone formed from fossilised conifer wood over 180 million years ago. Collected from the dramatic cliffs of Whitby, North Yorkshire, this beautiful deep-black gemstone is both a marvel of nature and a symbol of timeless British craftsmanship. Each piece is hand-selected for its exceptional quality, lustre, and authenticity.
All of our Whitby Jet specimens are 100% genuine, accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, confirming their provenance from the Jurassic Coast of Yorkshire. The photo shows the actual specimen you will receive, and the 1cm scale cube offers an accurate visual reference for size. Lightweight, smooth, and richly coloured, this 13g specimen is a fine example of genuine Whitby Jet — perfect for collectors, lapidarists, or anyone drawn to the unique beauty of this ancient gemstone.
Geological Formation and Origin
Whitby Jet was formed approximately 182 million years ago, during the Lower Jurassic Period (Toarcian Stage). It originates from the fossilised wood of Araucariaceae, an extinct family of coniferous trees that once grew in lush coastal forests. When these trees died, their remains were carried by rivers into oxygen-poor marine sediments. Over millions of years, the wood was buried beneath layers of fine mud within the Whitby Mudstone Formation, undergoing a slow process of carbonisation under intense pressure.
This natural transformation preserved the wood’s organic structure while replacing its volatile components with stable carbon compounds. The result was the creation of Jet — a rare, compact, carbon-rich fossil material distinct from coal or mineral-based gemstones.
The Whitby Mudstone Formation runs along the Yorkshire coastline, from Staithes to Robin Hood’s Bay, and is part of England’s world-renowned Jurassic Coastline, known for its abundance of fossils including ammonites, belemnites, and marine reptiles. This region remains the only true source of authentic Whitby Jet, prized for its purity and historical significance.
Mineralogical and Physical Properties
- Type: Organic gemstone (fossilised conifer wood)
- Composition: Predominantly carbon (~75%) with traces of hydrogen, oxygen, and organic hydrocarbons
- Geological Age: Lower Jurassic (Toarcian, ~182 million years)
- Formation Environment: Marine sedimentary deposits
- 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 lightweight yet durable, capable of taking a mirror-like polish that reveals a rich, glassy black sheen. Its organic nature distinguishes it from mineral gemstones such as obsidian or onyx — Jet feels warm to the touch and resonates with natural character. Each fragment often retains subtle wood-grain textures or linear structures, a reminder of its fossilised arboreal origins.
Appearance and Aesthetic Qualities
This 13g Whitby Jet specimen exhibits the deep, velvety black tone for which true Jet is celebrated. In its natural form, it has a smooth, matte texture with a soft sheen, while polished Jet displays a lustrous, highly reflective surface. This captivating black hue absorbs light, creating an almost liquid depth of colour.
Because Jet forms under gentle compaction rather than crystallisation, it possesses a fine homogeneity and can be carved or polished with precision. For centuries, artisans have prized this gemstone for jewellery and decorative art, as its light weight and elegance make it perfect for intricate designs.
Each Whitby Jet specimen is unique — its form and surface markings telling a silent story of ancient Jurassic forests and millennia of geological transformation. This 13g piece captures that history beautifully, making it both a collectible natural object and a striking display specimen.
Geological and Cultural Significance
Whitby Jet has been used by humans for over 5,000 years. Early Neolithic and Bronze Age communities shaped Jet into amulets, beads, and pendants, believing it offered protection and healing. The Romans prized Whitby Jet for similar reasons, crafting rings, cameos, and talismans that were traded across Europe.
Its cultural prominence reached its peak in the Victorian era, when Queen Victoria adopted Whitby Jet as part of her mourning attire after the death of Prince Albert. The black gemstone became a powerful symbol of remembrance and elegance, leading to a flourishing craft industry in Whitby. Artisans transformed local Jet into fine brooches, rosaries, and carved ornaments, many of which remain treasured heirlooms today.
From a scientific perspective, Whitby Jet provides invaluable insight into the Jurassic paleoenvironment of northern England. The microscopic preservation of wood cells enables researchers to identify the tree species and reconstruct ancient ecosystems that existed 180 million years ago.
Today, genuine Whitby Jet is increasingly rare and collected responsibly from natural erosion rather than mined, preserving the fragile coastal cliffs where it formed.
Collector and Display Value
This Whitby Jet 13g specimen offers a tangible connection to the prehistoric world — a fossil gemstone born from ancient trees and polished by time. Its silky texture, lightweight nature, and captivating deep-black hue make it ideal for collectors, crystal enthusiasts, and jewellery makers.
Every specimen is 100% genuine and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity for assurance of its origin. The photo shows the exact piece you will receive, selected for its natural quality and character. Whether kept as a geological curiosity, crafted into fine jewellery, or displayed as a piece of British natural heritage, this Whitby Jet is an exquisite example of nature’s artistry preserved through deep time.
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