Jet is a variety of lignite, a form of coal (you can read more about lignite and coal in December 24, 2010's post.) Jet shares some properties with lignite, but the two rocks do differ somewhat. Jet and lignite are alike in the fact that both are either black or brown and have an amorphous structure. They differ in the fact that while most other lignite is soft, crumbly, and dull, jet is hard and has a shiny surface. Jet has been found bearing pyrite inclusions and sometimes it even contains fossils. Jet is a very light rock and when rubbed it can produce static electricity like amber. For this reason jet is sometimes called “black amber.” Jet smells like burning coal when burned or touched with a hot piece of metal.
Because of jet’s light weight and ability to polish well it has been used to make jewelry since ancient times. Carved jet was once shipped from what is now England to the ancient Rome, and because of jet’s black color it was a popular stone for mourning jewelry during the 1800s. Today jet is used to make costume jewelry and buttons.
The most historic source of jet is the region of Yorkshire, England, specifically the town of Whitby. Other sources include: Poland, Turkey, France, India, China, Germany, Spain, and the USA.
Jet has remained on my list of favorite rocks for a long time and I am glad that God saw it fit to create it.
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