Georgian Carved Jet Torpedo Earrings
Striking carved jet torpedo earrings dating from the late Georgian era, circa 1820. The jet is light and tactile, polished to a high shine, and the carvings are reminiscent of pinecones - or perhaps, indeed, pineapples. A similar pair feature in Georgian Jewellery by Ginny Redington Dawes and Olivia Collings (2018) - pictured, p167 - and as they explain, such pieces would have been worn during the mourning period: "Women were advised to wear complete parures of jet beads, including extremely long jet earrings and crescent brooches... in 1797 Garrards sold mourning jewellery described as 'black bead necklace' and matching earrings, which were probably jet".
Still, fashions change; maybe some day,
Again the craft with thrive,
And Yorkshire jet will ring the earth,
Black, flashing, alive.
- Poem inscribed on the wall of the Jet Miners Arms pub in Whitby
Jet is a type of fossilised wood, approximately 180 million years old, from the monkey puzzle tree. It's light and easy to carve, which made it a popular choice for large-scale mourning jewellery like this, and, following the death of Albert in 1861, demand skyrocketed as Queen Victorian entered a period of mourning that lasted for the rest of her life (famously wearing only black). The majority of the jet used in Victorian mourning jewellery was mined in the little town of Whitby on the craggy cliffs of Yorkshire.
Era: Georgian, circa 1820
Size: 6.5cm (from top of ear wire) by 1.1cm
Stone: Whitby Jet
Marks: None, wires tested as 15ct gold, tops tested as base metal
Condition: Good antique condition; wear consistent with age. The ear wires are likely later additions, and some of the gold has worn away on the caps - see images. The jet remains in excellent condition
Full appraisal document provided with each item.
This includes a valuation for insurance purposes, item specifics, date, and origins (where applicable).
Gemstones are tested by an accredited gemmologist (Cert GA, Gemmological Association of Great Britain).
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[Last updated: September 15th, 2025]
Resizing
Ring sizing is available on most rings
£55 flat fee
Resizing takes 7-14 days
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Note: sizing may remove some of the patina (although we take every care to reduce this where possible)
Layaway
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Condition
We offer detailed and accurate condition reports on each listing. These pieces are antique, vintage, or pre-loved and often over 100 years old so they're going to have lived a life. A healthy patina and the odd scuff or scrape is quite normal... it's part of their charm! Everything we present has been checked over by our jeweller and should be good for wear for many years to come (unless otherwise stated) but please remember to treat them with appropriate care and consideration for their age.
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