This French Jet bug brooch which has the delicacy of Edwardian design was purchased as the last known stocks made by an elderly maker decades ago in the former Czechoslovakia. The brooch has been set (soldered and fused) with the smallest hand cut glass stones which are over 100 years old in traditional mounts used by his family from the the late 1800s -1930s.  French jet  jewellery was made from shiny black glass, which was cut and backed, with black-coated steel early last century when Whitby jet (an organic rock from coal) was banned.
This is a superb example of French Jet jewellery with the fine faceting and delicate work of the design. A true piece of history perfect for today’s time! Every piece is remarkable, individual and is a one off.

History: The fashion for jet jewellery started in the 1800’s as mourning jewellery, when Queen Victoria wore a necklace to a banquet after the death of her cousin and Prince Albert in 1861 which accidentally caused a fashion sensation. Before long, jet (high-grade fossilised pine) was considered the only suitable material for mourning. By the end of the 19th century imitations of jet were being made in costume jewellery in Bohemia for French designers. (hence the name “French jet”)

This brooch comes in a gift box and is for the dreamers, the go-getters, and the style makers.