early Britons had a predilection for jet, as is proved by numerous relics found in the Island of Great Britain. A set of
jewelry made of this substance, and supposed to have belonged
to a priestess of Cybele, was discovered in a stone coffin in one
of the churches of Cologne, during repairs made in 1846.
Aude, in France, and Whitby, in England, are celebrated for
their productions in this article. It is found at Whitby in- the
upper lias shale, and on the shores, where it is washed up by
the sea after a storm, and collected by the natives with great
labor. It occurs on the Baltic with amber, and is sometimes
called black amber. It is a production of the United States,,
and some of the best specimens are said to come from
Colorado.
It seems incredible that a material for jewelry so inexpensive and abundant should be counterfeited, yet great quantities
of manufactured jet are sold in Spain and Turkey. There is
evidence that many intagli cut in this substance and sold for
antiques are recent forgeries.
