Jet Jewellery Workshop

The Course

Find out how people in the Bronze Age used jet and jet-like materials to create a range of personal ornamentation, from bangles, buttons, belt rings, beads and pendants! Which artefact will you choose to replicate?

Our day will begin with an introductory talk into personal ornamentation in the Bronze Age, focusing on jet and jet-like materials. We’ll take a closer look at what artefacts have been found in Britain, what they’re made from and how experimental archaeology can help to better understand how these objects were made. 

The rest of the morning will be spent working with a piece of jet to shape and drill a bead before moving onto creating a shale button, belt ring or pendant. 

Despite its fame in the Victorian period, jet and jet-like materials have been collected and shaped by people for thousands of years. Using far simpler tools than Victorian crafts people, they achieved stunning pieces that still dazzle people in museum displays today. What was so special about this mysterious black material? Why do we refer to jet-like materials? Find out on this workshop!

Emma Jones specialises in creating replica prehistoric jewellery from the Stone Age through to the Bronze Age. Having recently completed a replica of the Poltalloch Jet Necklace, Emma is fascinated by the tools and techniques our prehistoric makers would have used to create the artefacts that have been found across the UK.

Participant Information:

We have a heater in the workshop for winter events but for your own comfort please bring warm clothing in case it’s a particularly cold day. We will provide you with a new dust mask each as working with jet and jet-like materials can produce a lot of dust, and gloves to protect your hands while working with sharp flint. Once you sign up to the workshop you will receive full details and directions to the workshop.

Fee & Refreshments:

Our pricing includes tuition, materials, teas and coffees. Please let us know in advance if you have any dietary requirements. Our workshop is situated next to a pub that may be able to provide lunch if you call in advance or you may wish to bring a packed lunch.