Jewelry Junkie: Rose Gold & Jet Ring.

(Apologies for my ugly little bitten-down nails. It's a horrible habit I hope to break... I've been trying for years. New Year's Resolution: keep nails painted, as it dissuades me from devouring them).

Remember back in October, when I went to Whitby and wandered around the shops wishing I could afford the wonderful jet jewelry?

What a surprise it was to receive this rose gold & jet ring from my love for Christmas (who had subtly and swiftly purchased it on the same day - after I had been trying on rings and had amused a shop assistant with how small my hands are).

I love jet; it has such an amazing depth to it, and pairs perfectly with rose gold. I always thought I preferred it with silver, but somehow rose gold brings out warm tones in it... And I also enjoy the way this ring looks like an eye.

Whitby jet is actually fossilised monkey-puzzle tree, found in the cliffs and on the moors around the town. It first became popular during the mid 19th century after being favoured by Queen Victoria as a material for mourning jewelry.

This example from here shows how incredibly intricate jet jewelry could be - the interlinked letters on this brooch (c.1850) are highlighted here to show how the pattern actually spells out Victoria.

Next time I visit Whitby, I absolutely want to go to the last remaining Victorian jet workshop in the town.

A Long-Awaited Trip to Whitby.

I first read Bram Stoker's Dracula when I was 12; needless to say, I had been wanting to visit Whitby for quite a while. Whitby Abbey & St. Mary's Church were just as atmospheric and amazing as I had always hoped for.

Gravestones eaten away by the sea breezes on the cliff top. If I had to choose a single favourite moment from the whole day, it would be standing among these mysterious and sad stones, looking out over the sea. It was almost surreal, finally being where some of my favourite scenes from Stoker's novel were set.

The Dracula Experience. Which I had heard so much about and was so excited for.

While wonderfully tacky, it was also genuinely scary, thanks to an actor dressed as The Count who leapt out at me from the shadows and left my legs shaking for about half an hour...

I was disappointed that they didn't have any teapots left though (I loved the idea of a Dracula teapot - so incredibly incongruous and ridiculous).

Add to this much wandering through cobbled streets wishing I could afford the amazing jet jewelry, and eating some of the best fish and chips I have ever tasted, as well as typically English moody weather... And you have the fulfillment of many of my wishes.