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~Please read
the description then scroll down for the full display of pictures – just click
on them to enlarge for more
detail as they are part of the description. If you have any queries, please
don’t hesitate to contact me~
I have a real
passion for Whitby jet
jewellery which is due not only to its fabulous appearance & feel, but the
history and significance of this natural material. I wear my own Whitby jet bracelet
almost daily and have had so many compliments and questions about it.
This
is a beautiful bracelet and the pictures do not do justice to it. It is
comprised of horse-shoe shaped pieces for the actual bracelet with the
centerpiece shaped somewhat like a figure eight. Anyone interested in
Victorian jewellery will know they were incredibly sentimental and this may
have been worn by a bride on her Wedding Day for good luck.
The
pieces are threaded through with double strands of shirring elastic which
would not be original as it would have perished long ago.
Chips
& nibbles to Whitby jet are typical due to its nature
yet I can see no obvious ones.
HISTORY
The
Victorians were very sentimental and this was lead by Queen Victoria whose choice of dress and
jewellery was highly regarded. She lived the last 40 years of her life in
mourning after Prince Alfred died. She wore black clothing so black jewellery
was the only choice. An entire industry grew around the mining and carving of
jet, a fossilised coal found near the town of Whitby in England, hence its name. Imitations were
made: French jet, a black glass and vulcanite, a hardened rubber, are just two
of many. But they are not as valuable or as sought after as Whitby Jet.
Whitby jet is a material that can no
longer be mined which means it will become increasingly rare over years to come
- a fabulous investment!
SIZING
Suitable: small/average wrists or will
be have a gap at the bottom
Circumference: about 16cm unexpanded
Width: 4.37cm across the top and 2cm for the small pieces
Weight: 20 grams – lightweight
yet heavy for a bracelet
OVERALL
Nearing Mint Antique condition! This stunning bracelet
is simply beautiful & dates circa 1870-80s by design and styling so is
approximately 130-140 years old! I can just see that the top has come loose at some
point in the distant past so it has been reattached (not at all obvious). It presents beautifully
with a shiny sheen and so much better than the pictures suggest. This is an
ideal piece for any antique jewellery collection and is destined to become a
treasured heirloom.
These bracelets range from
the high hundreds and into the thousands in antique stores and jewellers. This
is offered with a very low price!
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