Exceptional carved Whitby Jet Rosette antique bead collar/necklace circa 1860. Made with jet from northern England in Yorkshire County in the town of Whitby long famous for its jet. These antique beads were hand-carved in the shape of full open cabbage roses in graduated size and strung on unknotted silk ribbon with a 9K Rose Gold clasp.

This beautiful necklace measures approximately 18 inches and weighs almost 3 ounces or 73 grams. It generally shows wear appropriate for its age, with more significant wear on five beads as shown in photos. Note that the age and integrity of the silk ribbon is unknown, and the necklace may need to be restrung.

Jet is fossilized wood made over hundreds of thousands of years. Whitby jet in particular is light, warm to the touch and strong enough to carve. It can also be polished to a beautiful sheen.

The beads in this antique necklace were carved to represent an heirloom variety of rose known for their densely packed, spherical blooms. The roses are cherished for their beauty and fragrance, and often used for weddings and making perfume. On this necklace they represent deep love, gratitude, and appreciation. In the Victorian language of flowers, they symbolize deep love known as "my heart is in flames".

Whitby jet has long been a valued material for treasured pieces of personal importance. In the Middle Ages monks at Whitby Abbey used jet for their rosaries. Over centuries this jet was prized for its depth of blackness, symbolizing grief and remembrance. Using it for mourning jewelry came to prominence when Queen Victoria was mourning the loss of her beloved and devoted husband Prince Albert. In 1861 the Prince suddenly died in the prime of his life. Queen Victoria's choice to wear black attire and jet jewelry throughout her 40 years of mourning heavily influenced societal fashions and customs. All this is expressed in this attractive necklace made over 150 years ago.

The item(s) are antique and sold as is/as found unless otherwise noted. Because they are old, they were used and will not look new or new-like. They likely show wear, fading, scratches, chips, cracks, past repair/restoration, original imperfections and/or damage from normal use. Significant issues are shown in photos. Examine photos carefully as they are part of the description. Imperfections were factored into pricing. No returns or refunds.

Items sold for $100 or more may be shipped with insurance and signature requirement. No responsibility for loss, theft or damage that occurs AFTER your purchase has been delivered to the address you have provided. Any damage to purchase must be reported immediately and photos provided of both the exterior of the box and the damaged item to facilitate the filing of a claim.