Hi Carol thanks for writing in! The date on this Victorian Mourning Pendant - 1879, is the big clue. During the 1860s - 1870s brooches, necklaces, bracelets, pendants , lockets made of JET were extremely popular. In November 1861, Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's consort and the love of her live passed away, plunging the whole nation into deep mourning and a subsequent escalation and demand for jewelry made of black jet, and black jewelry in general.
Jet is a coal-like material. The finest Jet of which came from Whitiby, in England. Because it lent itself so well to carving and kept a sharp edge it was used extensively in jewlery making. More than 200 Jet shops in this small town flourished in 1873!
The success of the Jet industry led to imitations however. French Jet is neither Jet nor French. It is actually black glass and cheaper to manufacture. French jet is heavier than rue jet.
There is a test you can do Carol to determine if the material is true Jet or a Jet imposter. Jet will leave a black or brownish black black line if you rub it along pottery. I use the dish of a terracotta pot plant to perform this test. Bakelite will leave bluish marks.
