and in many localities also where amber is not found.
Jet
was formerly much more highly valued than at present. In the last
century, Aude, in France, alone employed 1200 workmen on this
substance. At Whitby, in Yorkshire, jet is still the object of a
considerable industry. But the imitations of this substance have
largely taken its place; even the poor imitation of varnished glass is
received with favour. A much better substitute for it would be real
stones of little value, such as black tourmaline, melanite, and
obsidian.
Jet
is worked by means of a lathe and horizontal sandstone wheels, smooth
at the centre, but rough at their circumferences, so that the workman
may cut and polish a stone on the same wheel.
Among ancient ornaments of jet are some curious anklets and bracelets belonging to the early period of British history.
A
complete set of jet ornaments was found in two stone coffins deposited
under the chief entrance of Saint Gereon, Cologne, when that church was
repaired in 1846. They are supposed to have been the ornaments of some
priestesses of Cybele.
