Description
Victorian Whitby Black Jet Mourning Cross in 14K Yellow Gold
Cross:
Metal: 14K yellow gold
Size: 2 x 1 1/2 in
Clasp: “C” / pre-1900
Whitby Jet: England
Circa: Victorian
Antique/Vintage
Whitby Jet crosses have had multiple meanings throughout history, including religious. Whitby Jet is a black gemstone formed from the fossilized wood of the Araucaria tree, also known as the Monkey Puzzle or Chilean Pine tree. The Whitby Jet deposit was formed around 181 million years ago and extends throughout North York Moors National Park. During the Middle Ages, Whitby Jet was a common design material due to the area’s strong belief that Whitby Jet had magical or spiritual properties. Whitby Abbey, an important religious center, was home to jet and produced religious amulets like short-arm pendant crosses.
