Hand-carved jet cabochons, fine and sterling silver.

Jet, a form of lignite (bituminous coal) has been widely used throughout the history of jewellery-making, notably in the Roman Empire, and in Victorian Britain. In the 19th century, jet became the material of choice for mourning jewellery, partly due to its inclusion in Queen Victoria’s perpetual mourning attire following the death of her husband Prince Albert.

The jet forms on this necklace are based on hand-rendered maps of the Number One Mine in Nanaimo, BC, the site of an explosion in 1887 that killed 143 of the 150 miners working on site.

Produced in conjunction with the exhibition Black Diamond Dust at Nanaimo Art Gallery, 2014.

Jet Black Mine Map was on display in the Gallery Store for the duration of the exhibition.