Small Early 20Thc Silver Mounted Blue John Pendant C.1910-20

The dainty blue john pendant, having the original suspension hanging loop to a chased silver mount and surviving from the first quarter of the twentieth century. In fine condition there are no chips or losses and the original hanging loop is present. The stone could be polished if so desired. It is stamped ‘Silver’ to the reverse. First discovered by the Romans, Blue John is a scarce mineral, a type of Fluor-Spar which boasts a beautiful rainbow of colours. Blue John Stone is found nowhere in the world but amongst the rocks of Treak Cliff Hill, Castleton. In the late 18th century, the mineral was, by then, much in demand for ornamental vases and columns created for some of the finest houses in Britain, most notably Chatsworth, home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, and Buckingham Palace.During the first world war, fluorspar was in great demand as a flux in blast furnaces, so Blue John (being a rare form of calcium fluorite) was mined only for this purpose. Sadly, this meant that much good ornamental stone was lost during this period. Different hues of blue, purple and yellow are found within it, giving a unique quality to each stone. This pendant was made around the time of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 1910 horror short story, The Terror of Blue John Gap. The story features Dr. James Hardcastle, a skeptical doctor who explores the abandoned Roman mine, Blue John Gap, in the Peak District and encounters something terrifying within. A mystical and delightful jewel.