Sarah Caldwell Steele

Sarah Caldwell Steele has been captivated by Whitby jet since she was just seven years old. With four decades of hands-on experience in working with this unique lapidary material, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Geology from Durham University in 1992. In recognition of her expertise, she received the Fellowship of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain in 2013, followed by a Diamond Fellowship in 2015. Renowned for her gemmological skills, Sarah specializes in identifying black gem materials, including both natural and semi-synthetic biopolymers, and is regarded as the foremost authority on jet gemstones worldwide.

In 2019, she returned to Durham University to pursue doctoral studies, focusing her research on the gemmological classification, identification, and interpretation of black artifacts in the archaeological record, with a particular emphasis on the Jet Group. Her PhD thesis aims to develop a novel nomenclature for jet and similar materials, alongside a systematic approach to identifying carbonaceous artifacts in archaeology. This research leverages techniques used by contemporary indigenous lapidary artisans from Europe, Asia, and the Americas, showcasing her commitment to bridging traditional craftsmanship with modern scientific inquiry. Sarah Caldwell Steele continues to push the boundaries of gemmological knowledge while honoring the rich heritage of jet craftsmanship.