Ghost Mirrors : Antique Victorian Era Whitby Jet Bead Necklace and Earrings

Victorian Era mourning jewellery at its most chic and refined, these lightweight and otherworldly blackest of black orbs could easily be mistaken for contemporary jewellery.

While there’s nothing especially unusual about Whitby Jet beads (a favourite mourning jewel for the Victorians) what’s special about these is just how spherical and shiny they are.T hese black orbs are practically scrying glasses, you could see into the future by peering into their inky depths.

I once read that the newly bereaved were advised to avoid highly polished Whitby jet and stick to the flat matte baubles lest the shades of their dearly departed see their own reflections in the jet and become trapped between worlds.

Lore like that is more than enough to make me want to treasure these forever! (In addition to being an absolute fiend for a good string of beads). I try telling myself that no one will love them like I do, but we all know that’s just not true 🖤

The necklace features graduating sizes of highly polished sherical beads, with carved knot-like beeds betweetn each orb. It fastens with a clasp hidden inside one of the beads. It has been newly restrung on silk thread.

The earrings have sterling silver hooks and other hardware components.

Manufacture: 
Hand carved and polished to a mirror finish more than 100 years ago out of the the highest quality Whitby jet.

The necklace is strung on silk thread with knots between each bead. The largest bead has a diameter of 22.82mm, and the smallest 13.32mm.

The earrings have sterling silver hooks and hardware – there are no hallmarks present by the metal content has been verified by XRF test.

The necklace weighs 59.69 grams.
The earrings weigh 7 grams (pair).

Size: 
The necklace is 50cm (19.5″) long.
The earrings have a drop of  50.9mm.

Condition: 
Excellent antique condition, no faults to note.