Mourning Jewelry
Antique 19th Century Victorian Brooches
Antique 1890s Victorian Chain Necklaces
Onyx, Pearl, 14k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Band Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1770s Georgian Brooches
Pearl, Gold
Antique 19th Century British Georgian Brooches
9k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 1830s British Victorian Brooches
Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1840s European Early Victorian Pendant Necklaces
10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 18th Century English Victorian Brooches
9k Gold
Antique 19th Century Victorian Necklace Enhancers
Pearl, Diamond, Gold, Enamel
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Brooches
15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique 1880s Victorian Brooches
Citrine, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Brooches
Antique 1870s Unknown Victorian Band Rings
Agate, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Enamel, 15k Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1840s Victorian Brooches
Gold
Early 20th Century Dutch Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Emerald, Onyx, Pearl, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century Edwardian Drop Earrings
Onyx, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian Brooches
Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Antique 1870s French Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British More Bracelets
Sterling Silver
Antique 1820s European Georgian Brooches
14k Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Engagement Rings
Ruby, Sapphire, 22k Gold
Antique 19th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 10k Gold
Antique 18th Century European Georgian Brooches
Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Antique 19th Century French Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Band Rings
Gold-filled
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Brooches
9k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Brooches
Pearl, Onyx, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
Antique 19th Century European Georgian Charm Bracelets
Yellow Gold, Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Brooches
Antique Late 19th Century Dutch Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century British Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Antique 1860s British Victorian Dangle Earrings
14k Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Chain Necklaces
Antique 1770s British Georgian Signet Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Link Bracelets
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Cuff Bracelets
18k Gold
Antique 1890s European Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique 1880s English Late Victorian Signet Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Antique 1840s European Victorian Cluster Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Victorian Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold
Antique 1880s English Victorian More Rings
18k Gold
Antique 1860s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Brooches
Agate, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique 1850s English Victorian More Rings
18k Gold
Antique 19th Century British Georgian Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary British More Bracelets
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British More Bracelets
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British More Bracelets
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British More Bracelets
Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Garnet, Yellow Gold
Antique 18th Century British Georgian Signet Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Bangles
Onyx, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
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Antique Mourning Jewelry for Your Jewelry Box
When it comes to Victorian jewelry, the era’s Grand Period (ca. 1860–80) is most often associated with antique mourning jewelry. While it first came into fashion during the Georgian period, mourning jewelry had a resurgence during this time.
Scholars note that Romantic period jewelry was a celebration of the young monarch’s love. But everything changed with the premature death of Prince Albert in 1861. This traumatic event changed the way the Queen’s public perceived her and in the way she presented herself. The heartbroken Queen donned black clothing and went into mourning. Her taste for jewelry reflected her deep sorrow as well.
Unlike Georgian mourning jewelry, which was more focused on the macabre, Victorian mourning jewelry still tends to be romantic, a way to honor the memory of the departed. During the Georgian era, portrait miniatures, hair jewelry, cameos, enamels and micromosaics were fashionable.
Most materials used in antique mourning jewelry were also black, the universal signifier of grief. Naturally jet, onyx and gutta percha were the most popular. Dark red garnets and black enamel were often used in combination with these materials (enameling is one of the oldest forms of surface decoration). Hair jewelry became incredibly intricate, and some pieces were made with strands from various family members woven into a complex floral pattern.
“Unlike most other pieces of antique jewelry, mourning jewelry has an easily accessible history,” Lindsay Salmon, part of the duo behind jewelry line Erica Weiner.
“These pieces are often inscribed with a name, a date of death and the age of the deceased. For many people, myself included, having this information about the person a piece of jewelry was made to commemorate is both fascinating and romantic; it grounds the piece in a historical and personal context.”
Find a collection of antique mourning jewelry on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022During the 18th and 19th centuries, mourning rings were worn on the pinky finger. When the jewelry came back into fashion in the 1930s and 40s, the tradition of displaying a mourning ring on the fifth finger continued. Today, people may opt to wear the rings on any finger. You'll find a variety of mourning rings on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, some jewelers still make mourning jewelry. Mourning jewelry was very popular in the Georgian era and experienced a resurgence in the Victorian Era when Queen Victoria wore it in memory of Prince Albert after he passed. Today, there is more versatility in what is considered mourning jewelry and limitless options for customizing it. Find vintage and contemporary mourning jewelry from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- Did men wear mourning jewelry?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, men wore mourning jewelry as well as women. It became popularized during the Victoria era, but was a tradition that has stretched in history far back before this period. Shop an array of authentic mourning jewelry from top sellers on 1stDibs.