Concerns for Future of Failing Jet Industry
Fears Expressed for the Traditional Art of Whitby Jet Carving
In the 19th Century, carving the black gemstone, found along just seven miles of Yorkshire's coastline, was Whitby's main industry.
More than 200 craftsmen worked in workshops, generating a turnover of £110,000 - or £3.25m in today's money.
Evidence of Whitby jet being worked into carvings and jewellery have been found as early as the bronze age. It is believed the jet would be carved into beads and placed in burial sites as people thought the stone would keep any evil spirits at bay.
Whitby Jet Used in Mourning
Jet rings, bracelets and hair pins have also been unearthed at Roman sites of interest.
In the 19th Century the jet industry began to grow quickly with the advent of mining. This expansion was in response to a constant demand for Whitby jet as it was being used to make crosses. These would be hung on the doors of homes, again to ward off evil spirits.
However, it was the Victorians who linked Whitby jet with mourning jewellery. Queen Victoria wore jet when Prince Albert died.
It also signalled the demise of Whitby jet being used as decorative jewellery and people no longer wanted to wear a stone that had become synonymous with grief.
Now though, the Whitby Jet Heritage Centre is hoping the discovery of an original jet carving workshop will entice people back into the industry before it completely dies out.
Hal Redvers-Jones, a Whitby jet carver, said there are now just a "handful" of professional carvers working in the resort.
Launch of Carvers Guild
"It is so important to Whitby's history that people are more aware of jet and the industry.
"We also hope this could be the launch pad to a Whitby Jet Carvers Guild which all bona fide Whitby carvers would be invited to join.
"This would ensure skills are protected and passed-on."
An original workshop dating back to 1867 was unearthed in a derelict building in Burns Yard.
Mr Redvers-Jones has relocated it to the heritage centre, on Church Street, to show people how the elaborate carvings were produced nearly 200 years ago.
He said the find was exciting and gave him a good insight into how jet was once carved.
Once an Affluent Industry
"It was just as if the workers had got up and left at the end of the day, but as well as being interesting, it gave us a lot of information into how jet was worked in 1867."
Mr Redvers-Jones said the find showed how affluent the industry was as workers worked under gas lit stations which were considered an expensive commodity at the time.
The foreman would also wear a coat of velvet, which was again considered a luxury.
He added: "For more than 70 years the industry kept Whitby going. Hopefully the centre will help that continue."
How Whitby Jet is Formed
Whitby jet is a semi-precious stone which, when polished, takes on such a shine that it was even used as a mirror in medieval times.
The black jet is formed from fossils of the Jurassic tree, the araucaria or monkey puzzle tree as it is commonly known.
Pieces of Whitby jet can still be found by beachcombers on the North Yorkshire coastline, where the monkey puzzle tree was once a common species.
The industry was once thriving
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