I may be taking my life in my hands with this one, but here goes.
All the items shown below have been found on eBay using a search for "Whitby Jet". In some cases the text may have said "may be Whitby Jet" or "possibly Whitby Jet". Except for items 17 & 18 I have only got the pictures to go by, no scratch tests or hot needles, so for most of the items I have had to rely on visual identification only.
I will show the picture(s) of the item and then say why I think they are not jet. I may be wrong and apologise in advance if I am. At the bottom of the page I will list the items and say what I think they are made of. Have a go and see if you agree.
If you are the seller or buyer of these items and own the copyright to the pictures and want them removed please contact me john@jmfelton.com
| Item Number | Picture(s) | Diagnosis |
| 1 |  |
Very common brooch. Does not have the 'glow' of jet. Detail is not sharp. |
| 2 |  |
Detail is not sharp. 'Nasty' modern brooch pin. Held to fastener by big metal stud through centre. Does not have the 'glow' of jet. Thin edges but no damage. |
| 3 |  |
Brown colour. Detail is not sharp. |
| 4 |  |
Brown colour. Very unusual to find jet beads this small and undamaged. |
| 5 |  |
Too shiny. Very poor quality. Cheap fastener. Poor detail. |
| 6 |   |
Brown colour Poor detail. Very thin but undamaged. Fastener riveted to front (jet would crack). Does not have the 'glow' of jet.. |
| 7 |  |
Too shiny. Poor quality fastener. Unusual to see so many small facets on jet. The small beads are too small for jet. |
| 8 |  |
'Hangers' too flimsy. Modern design. |
| 9 |  |
Very dull. Poor detail. Cheap mounting. |
| 10 |  |
Brown colour. Poor detail. Poor findings (the metal bits). |
| 11 |   |
Dull, does not glow like jet. Poor detail. Fastener riveted/screwed on. No damage to the thin parts. |
| 12 |   |
No shine. Modern fastener Fastener 'melted' on to front. |
| 13 |  |
Brown colour Detail not sharp |
| 14 |  |
Jet does not come in thin tubes |
| 15 |  |
Brown Colour Dull appearance Metal fittings Detail not sharp |
| 16 |   |
Detail not sharp Back has moulded appearance Wrong sort of fastener |
| 17 |  |
Sold to me on Ebay as "Vintage Carved Whitby Jet Ornate
Crucifix Cross Pendant" Faint black streak Hot Needle - Smells of burning plastic |
| 18 |  |
Sold to me on Ebay as "Vintage Carved Whitby Jet Ornate
Chunky Oversized Ring" Faint black streak Hot Needle - Smells of burning plastic |
| 19 |  |
Dull appearance Moulding lines Poor imitation of carving |
OK, do you think you know what they are?
This is what I think....
| Item No. | My Thoughts |
| 1 | Bakelite |
| 2 | Bakelite |
| 3 | Vulcanite |
| 4 | Vulcanite |
| 5 | Modern Plastic |
| 6 | Vulcanite |
| 7 | Glass (French Jet) |
| 8 | Modern Plastic |
| 9 | Anthracite/Coal |
| 10 | Vulcanite |
| 11 | Bakelite |
| 12 | Modern plastic |
| 13 | Vulcanite |
| 14 | Glass (French Jet) |
| 15 | Vulcanite |
| 16 | Bakelite |
| 17 | Modern Plastic |
| 18 | Modern Plastic |
| 19 | Modern Plastic (resin?) |
I hope these pages have been some help and maybe you will now feel more confident in identifying Jet jewellery.
John.