Jet

Jet

SCIENCE / MINERALOGY
Jet is an organic gem material derived from ancient waterlogged wood that was altered by burial, compaction, and chemical change. It is a type of lignite-like fossilized wood rather than a mineral and is composed primarily of carbon-rich organic matter. Freshly polished jet is deep black to dark brown with a warm, relatively lightweight feel compared with most black stones.

GEOLOGY & FORMATION
Jet forms when woody plant material becomes buried in fine sediment under oxygen-poor conditions and is progressively altered toward coalification. Classic high-quality jet occurs in Jurassic marine shales near Whitby, England, where driftwood was buried in marine sediments. Other deposits occur in Spain, Turkey, the United States, and elsewhere.

METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Jet is traditionally associated with protection, grief support, grounding, purification, and maintaining emotional boundaries. Its long historical use in mourning jewelry gives it especially strong symbolism around remembrance and moving through loss without denying attachment.

KEY PROPERTIES
Protection • Grief support • Grounding • Purification • Boundaries • Remembrance • Emotional stability

CHAKRA: Root
ELEMENT: Earth
ZODIAC: Capricorn
MOHS HARDNESS: ~2.5–4

ACCURACY / TRADE-NAME NOTE
Organic fossil material, not a mineral. Black glass, dyed plastics, and other materials are sometimes sold as jet.