Hi Jeanette. Identifying jet can be a bit tricky because vendors don't take
kindly to some tests :) Two that the ordinary person can try is 1) jet will
make a brown streak when rubbed across unglazed porcelain, and 2) a hot
needle in an inconspicuous spot will produce a smell like coal burning.
Having said that...all jet is carved, it is never moulded, for that reason
you don't often get jet beads. Jet is warm to the touch. French jet is
actually black glass. Vulcanite, another false jet is actually rubber. It
too makes a brown streak on porcelain but it burns with a sulphurous smell.
Bakelite was another imitation, but is usually stamped with "patent". Some
museaums are now selling imitation jet made of epoxy resin. Vauxhall glass
is an English glass imitation and has a reddish tinge when viewed under
certain angles of light. In general, I would be quite cautious when
presented with jet beads. the only real test is the hot needle, but like I
said, not many vendors would appreciate that. Sharon on suddenly dull,
dark Vancouver Island
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