VULCANITE CHAIN WITH VESTA BOX NECKLACE

Deep black Vulcanite chain links hung with a silver chain and a rounded rich brown vulcanite vesta box. 

Vulcanite is a type of vulcanized rubber formed by combining sulphur and India rubber, thevn heating the mixture for several hours. Charles Goodyear is credited with developing the process, which he patented in 1844. Vulcanite can be white, black or various colors. As a result, in the mid and late-19th century, the hard substance was often used to imitate coral, tortoiseshell and jet - especially the latter, as dark pieces became more popular, especially with the prevalence of mourning jewelry.

Like jet, it's lightweight and warm or room temperature to the touch. Most vulcanite pieces are molded, as opposed to carved, and might seem more espresso-colored than black - the material turned brown over time and exposure to sunlight.

Vesta boxes were produced extensively between 1890 - 1920. During this period, almost everyone carried Vesta ‘strike anywhere matches’, so they could light stoves, lanterns and other devices. Early matches were unreliable and prone to ignite from rubbing on one another or spontaneously, so most people carried a match safe (Vesta box) to house their matches. These were either held in a vest pocket or hung on a chatelaine.

Designed by Flew Designs Melbourne