A favourite of the Victorians, circa 1870's, a fabulously striking hand carved pair of English Whitby Jet earrings, in lovely condition and showing the classic Arucaria motif and the Maltese Cross. A lovely shape to wear, they swing beautifully, and although a good size they are very light. They measure 7cm from the top of the Silver wires.
During the Jurassic period, Arucaria Arucana (The Monkey Puzzle tree) grew in vast forests all over the North Coast of England, and after they died out millions of years ago the wood from them became fossilised and formed what we now know as Whitby Jet.