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Victorian Carved Bog Oak Pin Brooch, Mourning Jewelry in Black, Brass-Tone
Victorian Carved Bog Oak Pin Brooch, Mourning Jewelry in Black, Brass-Tone

Victorian Carved Bog Oak Pin Brooch, Mourning Jewelry in Black, Brass-Tone

Located in Milford, DE

A Victorian pin brooch featuring a carved, wooden, bog-oak set on a brass-tone pin. Victorian mourning jewelry, made popular by Queen Victoria and her court, was used to memorialize ...

Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Antique Victorian 14K Gold and Silver Mourning Remembrance Brooch
Antique Victorian 14K Gold and Silver Mourning Remembrance Brooch

Antique Victorian 14K Gold and Silver Mourning Remembrance Brooch

Located in Rotterdam, NL

Mourning jewelry became especially popular during the reign of Queen Victoria, who famously mourned the death of her husband, Prince Albert, by wearing black clothing and mourning je...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Brooches

Materials

14k Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian Mourning Locket with Woven Hair, 19th Century
Antique Victorian Mourning Locket with Woven Hair, 19th Century

Antique Victorian Mourning Locket with Woven Hair, 19th Century

Located in Rotterdam, NL

This exquisite antique Victorian mourning locket, crafted in 14 karat gold, is a beautifully preserved example of 19th-century sentimental jewelry.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

14k Gold

Antique 1870s Victorian Jet Mourning Locket Necklace
Antique 1870s Victorian Jet Mourning Locket Necklace

Antique 1870s Victorian Jet Mourning Locket Necklace

Located in London, GB

The interior is stamped T&J Bragg, a known Birmingham jewellery firm active during the Victorian era, noted for producing fine-quality jet and mourning jewellery.

Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Brass

Yellow Gold Hair Victorian Mourning Brooch - 10k Pin
Yellow Gold Hair Victorian Mourning Brooch - 10k Pin

Yellow Gold Hair Victorian Mourning Brooch - 10k Pin

Located in Greensboro, NC

Design: Mourning Brooch Era: Victorian Metal Content: 10k Yellow Gold Material Information Material: Hair Fastening Type: Hinged Pin and C- Clasp Theme: Mourning Jewelry Feature...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

10k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian Pressed Horn Mourning Brooch, c.1880
Antique Victorian Pressed Horn Mourning Brooch, c.1880

Antique Victorian Pressed Horn Mourning Brooch, c.1880

Located in London, GB

A poignant and beautifully crafted example of Victorian mourning jewellery, this antique brooch dates to around 1880.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Brooches

Antique c.1860s Victorian 9ct Gold Mourning Brooch with Enamel Hairwork
Antique c.1860s Victorian 9ct Gold Mourning Brooch with Enamel Hairwork

Antique c.1860s Victorian 9ct Gold Mourning Brooch with Enamel Hairwork

Located in London, GB

The combination of materials reflects the deeply personal nature of mourning jewellery during the 19th century. While mourning jewellery dates back as early as the 16th century, i...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Brooches

Materials

Gold, Enamel

10K Gold Engine-Turned Mourning Locket with Braided Hair
10K Gold Engine-Turned Mourning Locket with Braided Hair

10K Gold Engine-Turned Mourning Locket with Braided Hair

Located in Venice, CA

A fine example of a Mourning era piece of jewelry, perfect for an antique collection.

Category

Antique 1840s European Early Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

10k Gold, Yellow Gold

14 Karat Gold Faceted Black Jet Mourning Pendant, Early 20th Century
14 Karat Gold Faceted Black Jet Mourning Pendant, Early 20th Century

14 Karat Gold Faceted Black Jet Mourning Pendant, Early 20th Century

Located in Rotterdam, NL

Made between 1906 and 1953, the piece reflects the continued tradition of mourning jewelry into the early 20th century. The elongated, tapering jet element is cut with multiple face...

Category

Early 20th Century Dutch Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Other, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 19th Century 14K Rose Gold Mourning Brooch Pin Pendant & Earrings Set
Antique 19th Century 14K Rose Gold Mourning Brooch Pin Pendant & Earrings Set

Antique 19th Century 14K Rose Gold Mourning Brooch Pin Pendant & Earrings Set

Located in New York, NY

A poignant and beautifully crafted example of 19th-century mourning jewelry, this antique set includes a brooch and matching earrings, all rendered in warm 14K rose gold.

Category

20th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

14k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique Victorian Yellow Gold Pearl and Guilloche Enamel Keepsake Brooch
Antique Victorian Yellow Gold Pearl and Guilloche Enamel Keepsake Brooch

Antique Victorian Yellow Gold Pearl and Guilloche Enamel Keepsake Brooch

Located in New York, NY

This antique mourning brooch is a deeply evocative and highly collectible piece, combining pearls, enamel, and woven hair in a form that reflects the sentimental importance of memori...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Brooches

Materials

Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Antique Victorian Enamel Pearl Diamond Gold Hair Locket Heart Pendant
Antique Victorian Enamel Pearl Diamond Gold Hair Locket Heart Pendant

Antique Victorian Enamel Pearl Diamond Gold Hair Locket Heart Pendant

Located in New York, NY

Wonderful representative of antique Victorian era Mourning jewelry, this delicate 14k gold heart pendant is set with bright turquoise blue enamel, pearls and an old mine cut diamond...

Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Necklace Enhancers

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Enamel

Antique Gold Cultured Pearl & Red Enamel Lattice Mourning Locket
Antique Gold Cultured Pearl & Red Enamel Lattice Mourning Locket

Antique Gold Cultured Pearl & Red Enamel Lattice Mourning Locket

Located in London, GB

Antique 18ct Gold Cultured Pearl & Red enamel Design Locket Mourning Jewellery en scripted on reverse " Samuel Ernest - dated 1854 " on a 9ct gold 19.5" Chain - with London hall...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Cultured Pearl, Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold, 9k Gold

Antique Victorian Tortoiseshell Brooch with Gold and Silver Piqué Work
Antique Victorian Tortoiseshell Brooch with Gold and Silver Piqué Work

Antique Victorian Tortoiseshell Brooch with Gold and Silver Piqué Work

Located in London, GB

This superb highly decorative tortoiseshell brooch would have been worn as Victorian mourning jewellery after Prince Albert passed away.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Brooches

Antique Victorian 9ct Yellow Gold Locket Necklace
Antique Victorian 9ct Yellow Gold Locket Necklace

Antique Victorian 9ct Yellow Gold Locket Necklace

Located in London, GB

This timeless piece exemplifies Victorian mourning jewelry, crafted to hold cherished memories.

Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

9k Gold

Antique 13k Yellow Gold Enamel Mourning Locket
Antique 13k Yellow Gold Enamel Mourning Locket

Antique 13k Yellow Gold Enamel Mourning Locket

Located in New York, NY

A fine example of antique mourning jewelry with both sentiment and beauty. Weight: 3.1 Grams Measurements: 21.75 x 13.7 x 5.20mm Metal: 13k Yellow Gold Notes: Allston Item #: BR-17...

Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Yellow Gold, Enamel

Antique 21k Yellow Gold Garnet Cupid with Cerberus Cameo Mourning Brooch
Antique 21k Yellow Gold Garnet Cupid with Cerberus Cameo Mourning Brooch

Antique 21k Yellow Gold Garnet Cupid with Cerberus Cameo Mourning Brooch

Located in New York, NY

The reverse reveals a sentimental woven hair compartment, characteristic of 19th-century mourning jewelry. A rare and meaningful piece that marries beauty, myth, and memory.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Garnet, Yellow Gold

Antique Silver "Momento Mori" Cameo Brooch
Antique Silver "Momento Mori" Cameo Brooch

Antique Silver "Momento Mori" Cameo Brooch

Located in New York, NY

A striking and contemplative piece, rich in historical and philosophical meaning, ideal for collectors of Victorian symbolism or mourning jewelry. Weight: 16.4 Grams Material: Shell...

Category

20th Century Brooches

Materials

Gold Plate, Silver

Georgian pearl mourning 9k yellow gold silver ring
Georgian pearl mourning 9k yellow gold silver ring

Georgian pearl mourning 9k yellow gold silver ring

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

During the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, pearls were often used in mourning jewelry to symbolize tears, remembrance, and eternal devotion, giving the piece both emotiona...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Georgian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian 18k Yellow Gold Mourning Brooch Pendant
Antique Victorian 18k Yellow Gold Mourning Brooch Pendant

Antique Victorian 18k Yellow Gold Mourning Brooch Pendant

Located in New York, NY

This antique 18k yellow gold brooch pendant is a superb example of mid-19th century mourning jewelry, expertly crafted with intricate detailing and symbolic design.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Etruscan Revival Brooches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Oval Onyx Pearl Emerald Mourning Pendant Necklace
Victorian Oval Onyx Pearl Emerald Mourning Pendant Necklace

Victorian Oval Onyx Pearl Emerald Mourning Pendant Necklace

Located in Arnhem, NL

The pendant is dating back to the early 20th century, and it belonged to the mourning jewelry. In the past, the pendant was also used a brooch, but the pin to attach it is missing no...

Category

Early 20th Century Dutch Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Emerald, Onyx, Pearl, 14k Gold

Antique Yellow Gold Filled Fleur-De-Lis Amethyst Mourning Brooch
Antique Yellow Gold Filled Fleur-De-Lis Amethyst Mourning Brooch

Antique Yellow Gold Filled Fleur-De-Lis Amethyst Mourning Brooch

Located in New York, NY

A rare and meaningful jewel, it embodies the artistry and sentimentality of antique mourning jewelry. Weight: 18.0 Grams Stone: Amethyst Measurements: 81.3 x 45.96 x 15.6mm Metal: Y...

Category

20th Century Brooches

Materials

Amethyst, Gold-filled

Georgian pearl black enamel mourning 18k yellow gold ring
Georgian pearl black enamel mourning 18k yellow gold ring

Georgian pearl black enamel mourning 18k yellow gold ring

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

During the early nineteenth century, pearls were traditionally used in mourning jewelry to represent tears and remembrance, while black enamel signified devotion and memorial.

Category

Antique 1870s Georgian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Gold mourning ring with cannetille work and pink topaz. England, circa 1823.
Gold mourning ring with cannetille work and pink topaz. England, circa 1823.

Gold mourning ring with cannetille work and pink topaz. England, circa 1823.

Located in London, GB

The bezel contains a glazed compartment preserving the woven hair of the deceased, a deeply personal memorial element characteristic of nineteenth-century mourning jewellery. The rev...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Fashion Rings

Antique Victorian Silver and Enamel Pearl Locket with Jet Bead Mourning Necklace
Antique Victorian Silver and Enamel Pearl Locket with Jet Bead Mourning Necklace

Antique Victorian Silver and Enamel Pearl Locket with Jet Bead Mourning Necklace

Located in New York, NY

The extended length of the necklace allows for draped or doubled wear, consistent with traditional mourning jewelry of the period. Weight: 69.6 Grams Stone: Jet, Pearl Measurements:...

Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Pearl, Silver, Enamel

Rare Victorian Vulcanite Athena Tear Drop Cameo Pendant
Rare Victorian Vulcanite Athena Tear Drop Cameo Pendant

Rare Victorian Vulcanite Athena Tear Drop Cameo Pendant

Located in Honolulu, HI

Preserved in excellent antique condition, this powerful and elegant pendant is a significant acquisition for collectors of Victorian symbolist and mourning jewelry. [DETAILS] • Era: ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Other, Other

Antique Rock Crystal Tree of Life Ring, Circa 1830
Antique Rock Crystal Tree of Life Ring, Circa 1830

Antique Rock Crystal Tree of Life Ring, Circa 1830

Located in Lewisburg, PA

The symbolic centerpiece dates to the late Georgian era, circa 1830, a time when mourning jewelry served as both a keepsake and an intimate expression of loss and memory.

Category

Antique 1830s Solitaire Rings

Materials

Rock Crystal, 14k Gold, 18k Gold

Antique 14K Gold Onyx Mourning Brooch with Pearl, Circa 1860s-1890s
Antique 14K Gold Onyx Mourning Brooch with Pearl, Circa 1860s-1890s

Antique 14K Gold Onyx Mourning Brooch with Pearl, Circa 1860s-1890s

Located in Rotterdam, NL

The front is centered with a single natural pearl, offering a soft contrast to the deep black surface and reflecting the restrained symbolism typical of Victorian mourning jewelry. ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Onyx, Pearl, 14k Gold

Antique Victorian 14k Rose Gold Onyx & Seed Pearl Wheat Mourning Brooch Pin
Antique Victorian 14k Rose Gold Onyx & Seed Pearl Wheat Mourning Brooch Pin

Antique Victorian 14k Rose Gold Onyx & Seed Pearl Wheat Mourning Brooch Pin

Located in New York, NY

A meaningful and elegant example of Victorian mourning jewelry with strong visual presence and historical character.

Category

Early 20th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Onyx, Pearl, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique Victorian Yellow Gold Portrait Mourning Brooch
Antique Victorian Yellow Gold Portrait Mourning Brooch

Antique Victorian Yellow Gold Portrait Mourning Brooch

Located in New York, NY

The reverse likely once held a lock of hair or inscription, as was customary in mourning jewelry of the time. Beautifully preserved, this brooch is both a sentimental keepsake and a ...

Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Mourning 18 Karat Yellow Gold Jet Cameo with Diamonds
Antique Victorian Mourning 18 Karat Yellow Gold Jet Cameo with Diamonds

Antique Victorian Mourning 18 Karat Yellow Gold Jet Cameo with Diamonds

Located in San Francisco, CA

This is one amazing piece of jewelry!! I'm totally in love with it! Crafted in 18K Yellow Gold, and topped in Silver, this gorgeous piece of Mourning jewelry features a beautiful Jet...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

ANTIQUE VICTORIAN 10k GOLD HAIR ART MOURNING BROOCH WITH SEED PEARLS
ANTIQUE VICTORIAN 10k GOLD HAIR ART MOURNING BROOCH WITH SEED PEARLS

ANTIQUE VICTORIAN 10k GOLD HAIR ART MOURNING BROOCH WITH SEED PEARLS

Located in New York, NY

I have a long-held fascination with Victorian hair art and mourning jewelry, and this piece is full of amazing details.

Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Pearl, 10k Gold

Victorian 10k Yellow Gold Banded Agate Diamond Starburst Mourning Brooch
Victorian 10k Yellow Gold Banded Agate Diamond Starburst Mourning Brooch

Victorian 10k Yellow Gold Banded Agate Diamond Starburst Mourning Brooch

Located in New York, NY

The reverse reveals a classic Victorian pin fitting and an engraved gold frame, dated 1885, consistent with mourning jewelry of the period. The brooch retains its original character ...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Agate, Diamond, 10k Gold, Gold-filled

Antique Victorian 14k Gold, Agate, & Diamond Mourning Brooch
Antique Victorian 14k Gold, Agate, & Diamond Mourning Brooch

Antique Victorian 14k Gold, Agate, & Diamond Mourning Brooch

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Simply a wonderful piece of mourning jewelry! Date: 19th Century Overall Condition: It is in overall good, as-pictured, used estate condition, with some fine & light surface scratc...

Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Agate, Diamond, 14k Gold

Antique Victorian Yellow Gold Amethyst, Pearl, & Diamond Mourning Locket Pendant
Antique Victorian Yellow Gold Amethyst, Pearl, & Diamond Mourning Locket Pendant

Antique Victorian Yellow Gold Amethyst, Pearl, & Diamond Mourning Locket Pendant

Located in New York, NY

Refined and symbolic, this piece is a beautiful example of Victorian craftsmanship and mourning jewelry design. Weight: 21.2 Grams Stone: Amethyst, Seed Pearl, Diamond Measurements...

Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold

Antique French Mourning locket, Black onyx and 18ct gold, Remember
Antique French Mourning locket, Black onyx and 18ct gold, Remember

Antique French Mourning locket, Black onyx and 18ct gold, Remember

Located in NEWARK, GB

Such a beautiful and luxurious mourning piece, perfect for the collector of mourning jewellery.

Category

Antique 19th Century French Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian Mourning Cross Pendant in Gold, Silver, Pearls, Diamonds.
Antique Victorian Mourning Cross Pendant in Gold, Silver, Pearls, Diamonds.

Antique Victorian Mourning Cross Pendant in Gold, Silver, Pearls, Diamonds.

Located in Malmö, Skåne län

Mourning jewelry from this time often combined woven hair with pearls, symbolizing tears, or black enamel, representing grief.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English High Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian Onyx Rose Cut Diamonds and 14 Karat Gold Locket Pendant
Antique Victorian Onyx Rose Cut Diamonds and 14 Karat Gold Locket Pendant

Antique Victorian Onyx Rose Cut Diamonds and 14 Karat Gold Locket Pendant

Located in Arnhem, NL

This pendant represents the mourning jewelry that was worn during the Victorian Era in England and was widely adopted in other European countries.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Dutch Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian 9k Rose Gold Jet and Seed Pearl Mourning Brooch
Antique Victorian 9k Rose Gold Jet and Seed Pearl Mourning Brooch

Antique Victorian 9k Rose Gold Jet and Seed Pearl Mourning Brooch

Located in New York, NY

Typical of Victorian mourning jewelry, the use of deep black jet symbolizes remembrance, while the intricate goldwork reflects the era’s attention to detail and craftsmanship.

Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold

9 Karat Gold and Black Enamel 'MEMORIE' Mourning Ring
9 Karat Gold and Black Enamel 'MEMORIE' Mourning Ring

9 Karat Gold and Black Enamel 'MEMORIE' Mourning Ring

Located in Brisbane City, QLD

A really beautiful piece of mourning jewellery from the Edwardian period which would be a beautiful addition to a stack of gold bands.

Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Band Rings

Materials

Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Victorian 14K Gold French Brooch Jet onyx Seed Pearl Mourning Pin
Victorian 14K Gold French Brooch Jet onyx Seed Pearl Mourning Pin

Victorian 14K Gold French Brooch Jet onyx Seed Pearl Mourning Pin

Located in Wallkill, NY

An exquisite piece of Victorian Mourning Jewelry. The pin is made up of either French Jet or Black Onyx and Seed Pearls set in 14 Kt Gold.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Brooches

Materials

Onyx, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold

Antique Victorian 14K Gold, Enamel, & Hair Art Mourning Locket Pendant
Antique Victorian 14K Gold, Enamel, & Hair Art Mourning Locket Pendant

Antique Victorian 14K Gold, Enamel, & Hair Art Mourning Locket Pendant

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Simply a wonderful piece of Victorian mourning jewelry! Date: 19th Century Overall Condition: It is in overall good, as-pictured, used estate condition.

Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

14k Gold, Enamel

Antique Victorian Yellow Gold Amethyst Pearl & Rose Cut Diamond Mourning Ring
Antique Victorian Yellow Gold Amethyst Pearl & Rose Cut Diamond Mourning Ring

Antique Victorian Yellow Gold Amethyst Pearl & Rose Cut Diamond Mourning Ring

Located in New York, NY

Overlaid atop the amethyst is a finely detailed star motif in gold, set with a single lustrous pearl at its center—an element often symbolizing purity and eternal love in mourning je...

Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold

Early Victorian 9KT Gold Mourning Pendant with Cameo, UK Circa 1820
Early Victorian 9KT Gold Mourning Pendant with Cameo, UK Circa 1820

Early Victorian 9KT Gold Mourning Pendant with Cameo, UK Circa 1820

Located in Braintree, GB

The carving shows strong neoclassical influence, typical of late 18th-century commemorative jewellery. The cameo is set against a deep purple enamel ground, a material commonly used...

Category

Antique 1820s British Georgian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Emerald Skull Signet Ring Gold Plated Silver Memento Mori Style J Dauphin
Emerald Skull Signet Ring Gold Plated Silver Memento Mori Style J Dauphin

Emerald Skull Signet Ring Gold Plated Silver Memento Mori Style J Dauphin

By J DAUPHIN

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This unisex signet ring is inspired by mourning jewelry and symbolic talismans that reflect on mortality, transformation, and the afterlife.

Category

2010s Indian Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

Emerald, Silver, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate

c1864 9K Gold, Black Enamel & Garnet Victorian Memento Mori Mourning Ring, FW.
c1864 9K Gold, Black Enamel & Garnet Victorian Memento Mori Mourning Ring, FW.

c1864 9K Gold, Black Enamel & Garnet Victorian Memento Mori Mourning Ring, FW.

Located in MELBOURNE, AU

Mourning Jewellery has a long & fascinating history, going back to as far as Middle Ages, nowadays these pieces are exceptionally rare, unrivalled in value & highly collectable T...

Category

Antique 1860s British Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

Garnet, 9k Gold, Enamel

Georgian 15k Gold Pearl, Diamond & Enamel Locket Memorial Ring, Circa 1800
Georgian 15k Gold Pearl, Diamond & Enamel Locket Memorial Ring, Circa 1800

Georgian 15k Gold Pearl, Diamond & Enamel Locket Memorial Ring, Circa 1800

Located in Altrincham, GB

Mourning jewellery was extremely popular during the Georgian period, and pieces were made to commemorate the deceased.

Category

Antique Early 1800s English Georgian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 15k Gold

Antique 19th Century Onyx and Diamond Mourning Locket Pendant
Antique 19th Century Onyx and Diamond Mourning Locket Pendant

Antique 19th Century Onyx and Diamond Mourning Locket Pendant

Located in Rotterdam, NL

The onyx is centrally mounted with a delicate rose-cut diamond, adding a subtle point of light against the rich, somber ground-an iconic feature of Victorian mourning jewelry. The g...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Dutch Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 14k Gold, Silver

Antique Dutch 14K Gold Mourning Pendant with Jet & Garnets, Circa 1860-1890
Antique Dutch 14K Gold Mourning Pendant with Jet & Garnets, Circa 1860-1890

Antique Dutch 14K Gold Mourning Pendant with Jet & Garnets, Circa 1860-1890

Located in Rotterdam, NL

In the Netherlands, mourning jewelry followed European fashion while maintaining regional goldsmithing traditions, often incorporating detailed filigree and cannetille elements as se...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Dutch Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Garnet, Other, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Antique 22 Karat Sapphire Ruby Double Snake Ring
Victorian Antique 22 Karat Sapphire Ruby Double Snake Ring

Victorian Antique 22 Karat Sapphire Ruby Double Snake Ring

Located in Banbury, GB

Snakes were also often used in mourning jewelry of the time It is currently a size N (UK), 6 2/3 (US), and can be re-sized free of charge.

Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Ruby, Sapphire, 22k Gold

Victorian Large Mourning Belt Locket 18 KT Natural Split Pearl
Victorian Large Mourning Belt Locket 18 KT Natural Split Pearl

Victorian Large Mourning Belt Locket 18 KT Natural Split Pearl

Located in Napoli, IT

The dark beauty of Mourning jewellery, so wearable and desirable in modern life style, dramatic an eye-catching yet meaningful and collectible along the time This large rectangular s...

Category

Antique 1890s European Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Pearl, 18k Gold

Antique 18K Gold Black Enamel Onyx Brooch, Circa 1880
Antique 18K Gold Black Enamel Onyx Brooch, Circa 1880

Antique 18K Gold Black Enamel Onyx Brooch, Circa 1880

Located in Rotterdam, NL

This tradition extended to several countries, including the Netherlands, where mourning jewelry became a significant part of cultural heritage.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Onyx, 18k Gold, Enamel

Antique Victorian 18k Gold, Black Enamel & Old Cut Diamond Mourning Ring, C 1884
Antique Victorian 18k Gold, Black Enamel & Old Cut Diamond Mourning Ring, C 1884

Antique Victorian 18k Gold, Black Enamel & Old Cut Diamond Mourning Ring, C 1884

Located in MELBOURNE, AU

Although Mourning Jewelry has a long & fascinating history, going back to as far as Middle Ages, its popularity reached its peak during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837 - 1901...

Category

Antique 1880s English Late Victorian Signet Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel

Vintage Medal Necklace Virgin Mary French J Dauphin
Vintage Medal Necklace Virgin Mary French J Dauphin

Vintage Medal Necklace Virgin Mary French J Dauphin

By J DAUPHIN

Located in Los Angeles, CA

The design draws inspiration from Victorian mourning jewelry and Memento Mori traditions, where sacred symbols served as reminders of faith, devotion, and the eternal nature of the s...

Category

2010s French Victorian Chain Necklaces

Materials

14k Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Antique Jet and Cloisonné Bead Y-Necklace with Gold-Filled Clasp
Antique Jet and Cloisonné Bead Y-Necklace with Gold-Filled Clasp

Antique Jet and Cloisonné Bead Y-Necklace with Gold-Filled Clasp

Located in Milford, DE

Materials: Genuine jet, enamel cloisonné beads, gold-filled clasp Style: Y-necklace with tassel drop Period: Early 20th century Origin: European Color palette: Deep black with gold, ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Drop Necklaces

Materials

Crystal, Gold-filled

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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.

Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship

Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself. 

Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.

Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.

For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany & Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.

Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.

In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so. 

Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.

Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle. 

BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.

A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in

Since Van Cleef & Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.

Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.

Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.

Questions About Mourning Jewelry
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    During 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, 2022
    Yes, 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yes, 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.