Jewellery & Watch News
At C W Sellors, we are passionate about British Gemstones, and infuse the British heritage into our pieces to create truly distinct jewellery to treasure. We are involved in every step of our gemstone cycle, from the mining of the stone to the arrival at our workshops until finally being secured into our exclusive jewellery settings. So, we invite you to delve deeper into the world of Blue John and Whitby Jet with us, exploring the history, properties and specially selected Whitby Jet and Blue John pieces for you to enjoy.
Whitby Jet
A highly coveted gemstone is Whitby Jet, which has a distinct, glossy black appearance. This exceptional stone is obtained exclusively from the north-east coast of Yorkshire, making it both rare and highly prized in the realm of gemstones. Whitby Jet has a long history dating back to 1500 BC, and it has been employed by various civilizations for an assortment of jewellery and accessories alongside tools. The popularity of the stone surged greatly during the 19th century as a result of Whitby's railway connections, which enabled new holidaymakers to appreciate the beauty of Whitby and the exceptional stone located there.
For the natural development of Whitby Jet, an organic gemstone, a time scale of 180 million years is necessary for the formation is necessary. The gemstone is created from the fossilized wood of the ancient Araucaria tree, which once adorned the entire northeast coast of England. After driftwood from the tree washed up to the sea and sank to the ocean floor, the pieces would become covered in a mixture of sediment, decaying organisms, and detritus. Combined with the lack of pressure and oxygen in the water, the wood then fossilizes into the solid black Jet stone you can find today.
Whitby Jet Jewellery
Every piece of our C W Sellors Whitby Jet Jewellery is designed with utmost attention to detail to ensure that it meets the highest standards of quality. Whether you're looking for a statement piece or something subtle, our collection has something for everyone, from wedding bands to clover-inspired pieces.
Our Cross Hearts collection is a firm favourite, including this beautiful 18ct Rose Gold Whitby Jet Diamond Small Cross Heart Necklace. Featuring a carved heart-shaped Whitby Jet stone, the glossy gemstone is encased within the contrasting rose gold cage and finished with a diamond centre.
For the upcoming special occasion in your life, stunning Whitby Jet Wedding Bands are the perfect choice to enhance your big day. With a variety of inlaid Whitby Jet designs, the finest Whitby Jet stone is set within sterling silver, yellow gold, white gold, platinum and rose gold.
Strike your luck with Bloom - a stunning jewellery collection that brings good fortune in style. Each piece is designed in the shape of a four-leaf clover, which is considered a symbol of luck, featuring necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings. The Whitby Jet sits beautifully encased in your preferred metal, whether it is sterling silver or yellow gold, the pieces offer a classic take on a clover representation. The polished stones complement the metal tones, creating a striking contrast between the two. With Bloom, you can add a touch of sophistication to any outfit while also invoking a good luck charm.
Blue John
The mineral variety of fluorite, also known as fluorspar, includes a unique and beautiful type of stone called Blue John, which can be found in the limestone at Treak Cliff Cavern, located near the North Derbyshire village of Castleton. Blue John is characterized by its strong bands of bluish-purple and white colours, which are formed by many microscopic cubic crystals that have aggregated together to create a distinct serrated appearance. This feature sets it apart from fluorite itself, a softer material that cleaves easily.
In the 19th century, Blue John was widely used for ornamental purposes, leading to extensive mining efforts at that time. Today, Treak Cliff Cavern is the only location in the UK where Blue John can be found, and mining is carried out on a smaller scale due to the mineral's fragility. Once the Blue John stone has been mined, it is left to dry out for a year before it is treated with resin to increase its durability.
Overall, Blue John is a unique and valuable mineral that has a rich history of use in the decorative arts. Its distinctive colouration and serrated appearance make it a popular choice for jewellery pieces, and the careful mining practices used today ensure that this rare and beautiful mineral will continue to be available for generations to come.
Blue John Jewellery
Blue John's natural markings can be extraordinary in a piece of jewellery to enhance the stunning gemstone. With many of our pieces embracing the natural elements, our Split Hearts and the Lineaire Collections particularly celebrate the pure beauty of the stone.
Designed in a swoon-worthy shape, the Split Hearts consist of two teardrop-shaped hand-carved Blue John cabochons framed with an exquisite split heart style, set within sterling silver, rose gold or yellow gold. Indulge yourself in the unique properties of the stone and embrace it, within a collection close to the heart.
Our Lineaire collection enhances the stunning stone with a minimalist design and a distinct architectural edge for a fluid aesthetic. Framed in a contemporary setting, the collection oozes simplicity at its best, utilising our natural resources to the best ability. The signature collection is a sterling silver exclusive to C W Sellors, benefitting from luxurious quality and craftsmanship from our talented team of silversmiths who handcraft every design with a keen eye for detail, ensuring the very best pieces are produced for you to enjoy.
You can shop our beautiful range of Whitby Jet Jewellery and Blue John Jewellery on the C W Sellors website or get in touch today with the team to further discuss our British Gemstones range or any further questions you have by calling 01335 453453 or sending us a message at sales@cwsellors.com.
