I need some help identifying black beads

Hello, I purchased this lovely necklace from a thrift store and someone suggested it might be jet? After research I've made a for and against list!

For:
- room temperature to touch
- jet black
- leaves a light greyish brown streak on unglazed porcelain (but not a true brown / cinnamon colour like whitby jet is meant to make?)
- no seams
- nothing screwed into the beads

Against:
- the style looks mid century to me rather than Victorian
- its big and jet is rare
- there is the odd white bit showing in the chips, but other chips only show black underneath

Would anyone be able to say what they think its made of?

Thanks very much

Full necklace by Lora McGinlay posted Sep 5, 2025 at 12:21 PM

Close up by Lora McGinlay posted Sep 5, 2025 at 12:21 PM

Close up chips by Lora McGinlay posted Sep 5, 2025 at 12:21 PM

Close up by Lora McGinlay posted Sep 5, 2025 at 12:21 PM

Brown Streaks by Lora McGinlay posted Sep 5, 2025 at 12:21 PM

 

Hi Lora and welcome

Your album is set to private so nobody but yourself can see your pics. It's best to post them into the thread anyhow.

Please see this thread for help with images.

 

Help us , to help you !

 

While we wait to see your photos, I can recommend you read Sarah Steele's Ebor Jetworks blog on what Whitby Jet is, which includes a really great breakdown of characteristics of types of jet and how to identify various simulants. Her YouTube channel is also great for a deeper dive.

 

Also a reminder that, while Whitby jet is stunning and sought after, jet was/is found in other places. Jet jewellery was also made elsewhere in Europe, for instance southern Germany.
But I have yet to see white bits in jet from any region.