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ID #SA1123530
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Victorian Carved Whitby Jet Shell Cameo Earrings
Sold by Corvidae Antique
sold SA1123530
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Corvidae Antique

Corvidae Antique

Sellingantiques Verified Since Mar 2020
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Victorian Carved Whitby Jet Shell Cameo Earrings

19th century
Sold 17 February 2026 · Corvidae Antique
This “Victorian Carved Whitby Jet Shell Cameo Earrings” found a buyer.

It was listed by Corvidae Antique. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

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Description

Elegant Victorian jet earrings with handcarved shell cameo plaques at their centre. The earrings have beautiful rope-twist carving around the teardrops and two interlinked hoops above, suspended on metal ear wires.

Jet is a type of coal, made from driftwood which sinks to the floor of the sea and becomes slowly buried in mud, hardening over millions of years. Victorian jet, now extremely collectible, largely comes from the English seaside town of Whitby - not to be confused with "French jet", which is actually black glass. Jet was popularised by Queen Victoria, who wore only black mourning jewellery following the death of her beloved husband Prince Albert in 1861. Jet was expensive - both limited in supply and requiring skilled craftsmanship to carve without breaking.

SIZE: Approximately 5.2cm total drop from the top of the ear wire x 1.9cm.

WEIGHT: 6.5g.

MATERIALS: Jet, shell, metal.

HALLMARKS/STAMPS: None.

CONDITION: The earrings are in very good antique condition; we see no cracking or chips to the jet or shell, just a little minor surface wear/natural imperfections.

ERA: Estimated Victorian (c.1837-1901).

Physical Dimensions
Height
5.2cm (2.05")
Width
1.9cm (0.75")
Declaration

Corvidae Antique has dated these Victorian Whitby Jet Earrings to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1123530
Dealers Notes

Antique and vintage boxes photographed are for display only and are not included unless stated in the description.

Please be sure to examine all the photos carefully as they form part of the description, and do feel free to ask if you have any questions, we’re always happy to help where we can!

TO BUY: Scroll down the page to the Buy Now with PayPal button and follow the prompts.

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UK DELIVERY: Free! All items to UK addresses are shipped via Royal Mail Special Delivery.

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If you'd like to email us please ensure you have checked your spam/junkmail folder if you have not received a reply within 24 hours. Many thanks! corvidaejewels@gmail.com

Description
Elegant Victorian jet earrings with handcarved shell cameo plaques at their centre.
“
The earrings have beautiful rope-twist carving around the teardrops and two interlinked hoops above, suspended on metal ear wires.
Corvidae Antique
fig 1. A pair of Victorian carved black Whitby jet drop earrings featuring oval shell cameos depicting classical profiles.
fig 1. Victorian Carved Whitby Jet Shell Cameo Earrings

Jet is a type of coal, made from driftwood which sinks to the floor of the sea and becomes slowly buried in mud, hardening over millions of years. Victorian jet, now extremely collectible, largely comes from the English seaside town of Whitby - not to be confused with "French jet", which is actually black glass. Jet was popularised by Queen Victoria, who wore only black mourning jewellery following the death of her beloved husband Prince Albert in 1861. Jet was expensive - both limited in supply and requiring skilled craftsmanship to carve without breaking.

fig 2. A pair of Victorian carved black Whitby jet drop earrings featuring oval shell cameos depicting classical profiles.
fig 2. Victorian Carved Whitby Jet Shell Cameo Earrings

SIZE: Approximately 5.2cm total drop from the top of the ear wire x 1.9cm.

WEIGHT: 6.5g.

MATERIALS: Jet, shell, metal.

HALLMARKS/STAMPS: None.

CONDITION: The earrings are in very good antique condition; we see no cracking or chips to the jet or shell, just a little minor surface wear/natural imperfections.

ERA: Estimated Victorian (c.1837-1901).

Height
5.2cm (2.05")
Width
1.9cm (0.75")
Date of Manufacture

Corvidae Antique has dated these Victorian Whitby Jet Earrings to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1123530
Corvidae Antique
Corvidae Antique
Sellingantiques verified Since Mar 2020

Hand picked jewellery from a friendly family business

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Corvidae Antique Profile Page

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A pair of Victorian carved black Whitby jet drop earrings featuring oval shell cameos depicting classical profiles. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
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Archive I A pair of Victorian carved black Whitby jet drop earrings featuring oval shell cameos depicting classical profiles. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

Victorian Carved Whitby Jet Shell Cameo Earrings

Archive II A pair of Victorian carved black Whitby jet drop earrings featuring oval shell cameos depicting classical profiles. View II
Archive III A pair of Victorian carved black Whitby jet drop earrings featuring oval shell cameos depicting classical profiles. View III
Archive IV Scale Reference for A pair of Victorian carved black Whitby jet drop earrings featuring oval shell cameos depicting classical profiles.
Archive V A pair of Victorian carved black Whitby jet drop earrings featuring oval shell cameos depicting classical profiles. View V
Archive VI A pair of Victorian carved black Whitby jet drop earrings featuring oval shell cameos depicting classical profiles. View VI
Archive VII A pair of Victorian carved black Whitby jet drop earrings featuring oval shell cameos depicting classical profiles. View VII
Archive VIII A pair of Victorian carved black Whitby jet drop earrings featuring oval shell cameos depicting classical profiles. View VIII
Archive IX A pair of Victorian carved black Whitby jet drop earrings featuring oval shell cameos depicting classical profiles. View IX
Enlarged Archival View
Corvidae Antique

Corvidae Antique
Telephone 0800 195 9895
Location
Stockport
Great Manchester
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/corvidaeantique
Verified Since Mar 2020
Items For Sale 151
Items Sold 803
Corvidae Antique
Corvidae Antique
Verified Since Mar 2020
View Dealer Info
Location: Stockport, Great Manchester, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/corvidaeantique
Verified
Mar 2020
For Sale
151
Sold
803
A pair of Victorian carved black Whitby jet drop earrings featuring oval shell cameos depicting classical profiles.
Victorian Carved Whitby Jet Shell Cameo Earrings
Ref: SA1123530
A pair of Victorian carved black Whitby jet drop earrings featuring oval shell cameos depicting classical profiles.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Detail View 7
Scale Reference
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectEarrings
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian & Gothic
  • MaterialWhitby Jet, Shell, Gold
  • ColourBlack
  • MotifsShell cameo profile, Linked chain drop, Fluted border
  • SizeH 5.2 cm (2 in) x W 1.9 cm (1 in)

FAQs

Whitby jet gained immense popularity during the Victorian era, particularly after Queen Victoria entered prolonged mourning for Prince Albert, establishing black jet as the definitive material for mourning jewellery.

These pieces typically combine hand-carved fossilised wood or jet frames with layered shell cameos, carved using fine steel burrs to relief-cut portraits against contrasting backgrounds.

Authentic Whitby jet feels warm to the touch, generates a brown streak when rubbed unpolished on unglazed porcelain, and is notably lightweight compared to glass alternatives.

They pair effectively with contemporary minimalist tailoring or evening wear, allowing the historical craftsmanship to serve as a focal point without visual competition.

Jet and delicate shell require storage away from direct sunlight and extreme temperature fluctuations; they should be cleaned only with a dry or barely damp microfiber cloth, avoiding harsh chemicals or ultrasonic baths.
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