Paleolithic Caves in France and Switzerland - found Jet ornaments

Pueblo Indians Ruins - shaped and carved Jet with flint tools

1500 B.C. - evidence of mining found in England

Greece - Ancient Physician Galen searched for the fabled River Gagates in Asia Minor but failed.  He reported small deposits of Jet in the eastern shore of the Dead Sea, and used fragments of jet as a cure for swelling of the knees.

2nd Century B.C. - Nicander prescribed Jet smoke fumigation to remove the Black Death Plague, the use of the black stone was believe to cure the plague

Ancient Rome - Pliny the Elder used fumes of burning jet to cure hysteria, epilepsy and acted as a test for virginity. It was also used to relieve toothaches in powdered form as a dentifrice mixed with wine.

Early Catholic Church - used as material for crosses and rosaries - effective to drive away bad dreams and hallucinations when prayers are recited on black rosaries.  It was believed that the devil and his black angels brought about these maladies - the black stone has powers in counteracting the spirits of darkness.  In 654-680, saint Hilda, Abbess of the northeastern English monastery of Streoneshalh was known to use the Black Rosary.  Later, the monastery became the WhitAbbey and the Jet found nearwas known as WhitJet.

18th Century - Jet material returned in popularity for use in religious articles

19th Century, early 20th Century - Queen Victoria of England, wore the gem as a sign for her long continual mourning - as a result it became a mourning jewelry favored as the "jewels of widows"

Middle Ages - used to treat delusions, hallucinations, to diminish depression and has been used to dispel fearful thoughts.  For Centuries it was powered and mixed with wax and prescribed to as a salve in the treatment of scrofula - tuberculosis of the lymph system and joints.

Modern Practioner - claims jet increases fertility and relieves problems with female reproductive organs.