Whitby Jet Fossil Specimen 13g Genuine Yorkshire Jet Jurassic Fossilised Wood Collector Display Piece with Certificate of Authenticity
£ 42.00
GENUINE WHITBY JET FOSSIL SPECIMEN FROM YORKSHIRE
This listing features a genuine Whitby Jet fossil specimen weighing approximately 13 grams, sourced from the historic coastal region of Whitby in North Yorkshire, England. The photograph shown in the listing displays the exact specimen you will receive, allowing you to clearly view the colour, surface texture, and natural structure of the material before purchase. Whitby Jet is a distinctive black organic gemstone formed from fossilised wood dating back to the Jurassic period, approximately 180 million years ago. Specimens from Whitby are especially valued due to their historical importance and association with one of the most famous jet deposits in the world. This piece includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee card, confirming that the specimen is genuine Whitby Jet. Please refer to the photographs provided for full size reference and visual detail. FOSSIL IDENTITY AND GEOLOGICAL COMPOSITION Whitby Jet is not a crystalline mineral but rather a type of fossilised wood, formed when ancient trees were buried in sediment and subjected to pressure over millions of years. Through geological processes, the organic material gradually transformed into a dense carbon-rich substance known as jet. Jet belongs to the broader category of organic gemstones, which are derived from biological materials rather than inorganic mineral crystals. Its composition consists primarily of carbon, with minor amounts of oxygen, hydrogen, and sulfur inherited from the original plant material. Unlike coal, which forms from compressed plant matter in swamp environments, Whitby Jet developed within marine sedimentary deposits, giving it a more compact structure and smoother texture suitable for carving and polishing. COLOUR AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Whitby Jet is known for its deep black colour and naturally smooth texture. When polished, it can develop a soft vitreous to silky lustre, giving the material a distinctive reflective appearance. The material is relatively lightweight compared with many minerals, reflecting its organic origin. Jet typically shows a uniform black colour, although subtle natural variations may occur depending on the preservation of the original wood structure. Under magnification, some specimens may display faint internal structures related to the fossilised wood from which the material formed. Jet has a Mohs hardness of approximately 2.5 to 4, making it softer than many minerals and well suited for shaping and polishing by skilled lapidaries. GEOLOGICAL FORMATION IN THE JURASSIC PERIOD Whitby Jet formed during the Early Jurassic period, when large forests of conifer-like trees existed along the coastline of what is now northern England. Over time, fallen wood was transported into marine environments where it became buried beneath layers of sediment. As sediment accumulated, the wood was gradually compressed and chemically altered under pressure and low oxygen conditions. Over millions of years, this process transformed the original plant material into the dense fossilised substance now known as jet. The most famous deposits occur along the Yorkshire coast near Whitby, where erosion of Jurassic shale cliffs exposes jet seams within the rock layers. HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE Whitby Jet has been used for decorative and ornamental purposes for centuries. The material gained particular prominence during the Victorian era, when Whitby became a centre for jet carving and jewellery production. Victorian artisans created intricate jewellery pieces from jet, including brooches, necklaces, and carvings. The stone’s deep black colour and smooth finish made it highly desirable for ornamental work. Because of this historical connection, genuine Whitby Jet remains highly collectible today, especially among collectors interested in British geological heritage. COLLECTING AND DISPLAY APPEAL Whitby Jet specimens are valued by collectors due to their unique fossil origin, historical significance, and distinctive black appearance. Pieces from the Yorkshire coast are particularly desirable because of their association with the famous Whitby deposits. Collectors often display jet specimens in mineral cabinets, fossil collections, historical geology displays, or decorative arrangements. Because jet is derived from fossilised wood, each piece represents a preserved fragment of prehistoric organic material that has survived for millions of years. In some cultural traditions, natural stones and fossils are traditionally associated with symbolic and spiritual practices, where they are appreciated for their natural origin and appearance. AUTHENTICITY AND WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE You will receive the exact Whitby Jet specimen shown in the listing photographs, weighing approximately 13 grams. Each piece is individually photographed to ensure the item displayed is the item shipped. The specimen includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee card, confirming that the piece is genuine Whitby Jet from the Yorkshire region. Please refer to the photographs for full size reference and to view the natural characteristics that make this Whitby Jet specimen unique. Each piece represents fossilised wood formed through geological processes during the Jurassic period and preserved within the coastal deposits of northern England.
This listing features a genuine Whitby Jet fossil specimen weighing approximately 13 grams, sourced from the historic coastal region of Whitby in North Yorkshire, England. The photograph shown in the listing displays the exact specimen you will receive, allowing you to clearly view the colour, surface texture, and natural structure of the material before purchase. Whitby Jet is a distinctive black organic gemstone formed from fossilised wood dating back to the Jurassic period, approximately 180 million years ago. Specimens from Whitby are especially valued due to their historical importance and association with one of the most famous jet deposits in the world. This piece includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee card, confirming that the specimen is genuine Whitby Jet. Please refer to the photographs provided for full size reference and visual detail. FOSSIL IDENTITY AND GEOLOGICAL COMPOSITION Whitby Jet is not a crystalline mineral but rather a type of fossilised wood, formed when ancient trees were buried in sediment and subjected to pressure over millions of years. Through geological processes, the organic material gradually transformed into a dense carbon-rich substance known as jet. Jet belongs to the broader category of organic gemstones, which are derived from biological materials rather than inorganic mineral crystals. Its composition consists primarily of carbon, with minor amounts of oxygen, hydrogen, and sulfur inherited from the original plant material. Unlike coal, which forms from compressed plant matter in swamp environments, Whitby Jet developed within marine sedimentary deposits, giving it a more compact structure and smoother texture suitable for carving and polishing. COLOUR AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Whitby Jet is known for its deep black colour and naturally smooth texture. When polished, it can develop a soft vitreous to silky lustre, giving the material a distinctive reflective appearance. The material is relatively lightweight compared with many minerals, reflecting its organic origin. Jet typically shows a uniform black colour, although subtle natural variations may occur depending on the preservation of the original wood structure. Under magnification, some specimens may display faint internal structures related to the fossilised wood from which the material formed. Jet has a Mohs hardness of approximately 2.5 to 4, making it softer than many minerals and well suited for shaping and polishing by skilled lapidaries. GEOLOGICAL FORMATION IN THE JURASSIC PERIOD Whitby Jet formed during the Early Jurassic period, when large forests of conifer-like trees existed along the coastline of what is now northern England. Over time, fallen wood was transported into marine environments where it became buried beneath layers of sediment. As sediment accumulated, the wood was gradually compressed and chemically altered under pressure and low oxygen conditions. Over millions of years, this process transformed the original plant material into the dense fossilised substance now known as jet. The most famous deposits occur along the Yorkshire coast near Whitby, where erosion of Jurassic shale cliffs exposes jet seams within the rock layers. HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE Whitby Jet has been used for decorative and ornamental purposes for centuries. The material gained particular prominence during the Victorian era, when Whitby became a centre for jet carving and jewellery production. Victorian artisans created intricate jewellery pieces from jet, including brooches, necklaces, and carvings. The stone’s deep black colour and smooth finish made it highly desirable for ornamental work. Because of this historical connection, genuine Whitby Jet remains highly collectible today, especially among collectors interested in British geological heritage. COLLECTING AND DISPLAY APPEAL Whitby Jet specimens are valued by collectors due to their unique fossil origin, historical significance, and distinctive black appearance. Pieces from the Yorkshire coast are particularly desirable because of their association with the famous Whitby deposits. Collectors often display jet specimens in mineral cabinets, fossil collections, historical geology displays, or decorative arrangements. Because jet is derived from fossilised wood, each piece represents a preserved fragment of prehistoric organic material that has survived for millions of years. In some cultural traditions, natural stones and fossils are traditionally associated with symbolic and spiritual practices, where they are appreciated for their natural origin and appearance. AUTHENTICITY AND WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE You will receive the exact Whitby Jet specimen shown in the listing photographs, weighing approximately 13 grams. Each piece is individually photographed to ensure the item displayed is the item shipped. The specimen includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee card, confirming that the piece is genuine Whitby Jet from the Yorkshire region. Please refer to the photographs for full size reference and to view the natural characteristics that make this Whitby Jet specimen unique. Each piece represents fossilised wood formed through geological processes during the Jurassic period and preserved within the coastal deposits of northern England.
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