Jet

More from Camden’s Britannia

Near this place, and elsewhere on this shore is found Black Amber or Geate. Some take it to be the Gagates, which was valued by the Ancients among the rarest stones and jewels. It grows upon the rocks, within a chink or cliff of them; and before it is polish’d, looks rewddish and rusty , but after, is really (as Solinus describes it) Diamond-like, black and shining..

Jeat-stone, almost a gemm, the Lybians find,

But fruitful Britain sends a wonderous kind;

‘Tis black and shining, smooth ever light,

‘Twill draw up straws, if rubb’d till hot and bright,

Oyl makes it cold, but water gives it heat.

 

Camden’s Britannia 1586. Translation & edition of 1722 by Gibson

 

My friend Chris Corner made this lovely animation telling the story of Whitby Jet