Ammonite Inlay Work
Ammonite inlay
The fossil ammonite Dactylioceras commune is found in the same seven and a half miles of North Yorkshire coast as the jet. These were a common sea creature in Jurassic times and are the same age as the Jet, some 180 million years old. When they are carefully cut in half with a diamond saw the growth chambers of the creature are revealed. These are now filled with calcite and some pyrites and polish up beautifully, everyone being unique. Here at the Victorian Jet Works we take these fossils and inlay them into Jet to produce a unique range of jewellery. Sometimes we find a small ammonite which has been perfectly fossilised and if very carefully cut in half results in a pair, left and right, these can then be made into eardrops or studs. The difficulty of obtaining very small ammonites of this kind make this type of jewellery all the more rare. Ammonite inlay is used in the following range of brooches, pendants, and eardrops and as usual we are happy to accommodate any specific requirements when possible. All our Whitby Jet jewellery comes with a certificate of authenticity and further designs will be found from time to time on the 'Victorian' style page. If there are any items that you are interested in just click the order button. You will be given an opportunity to delete and refine your selection later at the checkout.
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Round brooch carved edge (AMMB001)
A large round brooch of Whitby Jet inlaid with an ammonite. The size of these inlaid brooches is dictated by the size of the ammonite (large ammonites with clear and beautiful chambers are not always found when I need them). The edge is carved with a rope pattern. Size comes at approximately 40mm diameter and 10mm deep. |
£150.00![[ADD]](/button-addtocart.gif "Add to cart") |
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Oval brooch fluted edge (AMMB002)
A large oval brooch of Whitby Jet inlaid with an ammonite. This piece has a gently sloping edge carved with a fluted pattern. Size 52x40mm and 10mm deep. |
£160.00 |
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Slim oval carved edge (AMMB003)
A large oval brooch of Whitby Jet cut slightly slimmer inlaid with an ammonite. This piece has a gently sloping edge carved with a rope pattern. Size 40x30mm and 8mm deep. |
£150.00 |
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Plain round (AMMB004)
A plain polished round of Whitby Jet inlaid with an ammonite. The above brooch measures 37mm in diameter. Others may vary slightly as it is the size of the ammonite that dictates the size of the brooch. |
£120.00 |
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Carved edge with plain cabochon (AMMB006)
An oval shaped brooch with a carved pattern of close grooves which contains a plain cabochon at its centre, this has been inlaid with an ammonite. A pleasing combination of inlay and carved work. |
£140.00 |
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Ammonite brooch with snakeshead (AMMB007)
A brooch that celebrates the legend of St Hilda. Primitive man thought that the fossil ammonites were serpents that St Hilda had 'turned to stone' thus saving Whitby from a plague of serpents. |
£120.00 |
The Pendant range
The brooch styles can be made into pendants but the following are some of the more popular shapes that are asked for as pendants.
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Ammonite pendant Diamond (AMMP001)
A large piece of Whitby Jet cut into a diamond shape and inlaid with an ammonite. The edge is slightly bevelled and the pendant comes with an 18 inch chain. Size 40x25mm and 10mm deep. |
£120.00 |
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Ammonite pendant Classic Pippin (AMMP002)
A large piece of Whitby Jet cut into a large teardrop shape and inlaid with an ammonite. The edge is curved and the pendant comes with an 18 inch chain. Size is approximately 30x20mm and 10mm deep (according to the size of the ammonite. |
£120.00 |
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Large heart pendant (AMMP003)
A large piece of Whitby jet with inlaid ammonite. The size is dictated by the size of the ammonite, please telephone or e-mail for availability. |
£120.00 |
The eardrops range
As mentioned earlier cutting a small ammonite in half to obtain a left and a right spiral for a matched pair is always difficult. So more time is needed to complete, allow good time when ordering for that special gift.
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Classic pippin drops (AMMD001)
A classic shaped drop approximately 40mm in length. The smaller ammonites are rare and even more delicate to cut, but results in a truly unique piece of jewellery. Each ammonite is unique and we try to cut the Jet accordingly, so length and width will vary slightly. |
£190.00 |
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Church window drops (AMMD002)
A simple shape reminiscent of the many Abbey windows at the top of the famous 199 steps. This shape presents the ammonites beautifully. Remember our work can be fitted with gold as an optional extra , also clip conversion can be done but this would require a cabochon at the top with the drops pegged on. E-mail for details. |
£190.00 |