Mourning jewelry serves as a reminder of a loved one who has passed away. In memory of the person, mourning jewelry frequently includes their initials, an inscription, an eternal knot, a lock of hair, a cameo, or a silhouette. They serve as mementos of the people who wore them and the people they are devoted to, as well as their time and culture.
Many civilizations have used art to explore their relationship with death and grieve more openly. Let’s explore the history of mourning jewelry and its significance in modern times.
History of Mourning Jewelry
Mourning jewelry first appeared during the Georgian era, which lasted from the early 1700s through the 1830s. At the time, King Charles I of England was executed, and many royalists expressed their support by wearing jewelry featuring the King’s likeness carved out of faceted Stuart crystal. 
Early mourning jewelry was grimmer than it is now and served as a reminder that everyone would die. This fashion included images of death, such as skulls, coffins, and gravediggers. Later on, mourning jewelry evolved to focus on the memory of the deceased with phrases, images, and flowers. 
Wealthy aristocrats started commissioning their memorial artwork when they lost loved ones, beginning a trend that quickly caught on. The mourning jewelry trend, however, began with the passing of Queen Victoria’s beloved Albert, since Victoria continued to honor Albert long until her passing. For the remainder of her life, she wore her mourning ring.
Black served as the primary color for all gemstones and enamel in mourning jewelry during the second half of the 19th century. Black enamel, jet, onyx, human hair, glass, vulcanite, and gutta-percha were often used.
Mourning Jewelry Today
The Victorian era popularized mourning jewelry, but more lately, modern and contemporary mourning pieces have grown in popularity.
Mourning jewelry provides a chance to wear your story, particularly in such a period when life stories are important, and people are sharing their personal experiences in public.
Even though the idea of mourning jewelry may appear strange to individuals nowadays, it still exists in some forms. For instance, some people keep a loved one’s ashes near them by wearing cremation jewelry. Times may have changed, but remembering a loss remains significant.
Types of Mourning Jewelry
Jewelry worn in mourning serves as a reminder of a loved one who has passed away. There are several types of mourning jewelry to commemorate a lost love. Here are some of them:
1. Mourning Brooches
Mourning brooches typically have a section for a lock of hair or a unique symbol. They were among the most popular types of old mourning jewelry and came in a wide range of materials. Check out some mourning brooches for your collection:
Made with resin, this Victorian-inspired hand brooch is designed with cream color and small flowers. Flowers held in the hand represented friendship and love. A forget-me-not is associated with mourning and memory, while the heart-shaped locket can be used to put a small picture of special someone as a remembrance.
This exquisite piece of Victorian mourning jewelry is a brooch pin. Its front is made of black enamel and has an oval glass bezel at the center, with elegantly plaited human hair in light and dark tones.
2. Mourning Bracelets
There are several mourning bracelet types, from bangles to woven hair chains, beaded bracelets, and so on. Some have hair lockets as part of the design, while others can be customized with ashes. Check out these different styles of mourning bracelets to commemorate your loved one:
For those who have lost a loved one, this Morse code bracelet conceals a consoling hidden message. It can be a lovely gift that serves as a solace-filled tribute to the people we want to remember forever. Made with Miyuki beads of the finest quality, this bracelet assures a long-time reminder of consolation and hope.
Beautifully made from premium black chromed stainless steel, this infinity mourning bracelet urn is built to last a lifetime and beyond. The kit includes a funnel and glue to keep the ashes sealed in the band and a manual on how to properly do it. This bracelet is truly personalized and will keep a lost loved one close to you.
3. Mourning Lockets
One of the most popular types of Victorian mourning jewelry is the locket. They frequently have hair in them, but not always. In addition to being typically engraved, they occasionally include a picture of the deceased.
Check out these mourning lockets that you might want to customize for remembering a loved one:
Are you interested in antique jewelry? This Victorian gold-filled and onyx mourning locket is a time treasure piece. An inset shield is engraved with the letters ‘EF’, and the locket itself has a space for a lock of hair or a special memento of someone dear to you.
Similar to a pocket watch, this lovely Victorian mourning locket is circular and detailed, with five drops extending from a collar-like design. This simple antique piece is perfect for storing a lock of hair of a loved one to remember them even after time goes by.
4. Mourning Pendants and Crosses
Several different designs and shapes are available for mourning pendants, but crosses were particularly well-liked. Some crosses were composed of human hair, while others were made of metal that had been jetted or enameled.
Check out some unique mourning pendants that you might like to add to your jewelry collection:
This shiny gold cremation jewelry is a fashionable and elegant piece to wear while remembering a loved one. You can even personalize this pendant by engraving a name, symbol, or word to describe the person to be remembered.
The mourning cross pendant’s base metal is a matte, pale-ish pewter finish. It features jet rhinestones arranged in a pointed cross form, making it perfect for a vintage and dark style.
5. Mourning Hair Jewelry
Jewelry made from the hair of a loved one was quite popular in the Victorian era. The Victorians thought that because hair held a portion of a person’s essence, it possessed a sacred aspect. It also represented immortality because it had some impermanence.
Check out these jewelry pieces that are perfect if you want a piece personalized with hair:
Do you want to keep it dainty for everyday wear? This mourning ring can be personalized with a few strands of hair of a loved one or pet you want to hold dear forever. It is handcrafted to perfection and designed on a classic round center stone. Different colors can be used as the gem’s background to add a touch of personal style.
This beautiful hair lock pendant necklace is a perfect keepsake of memories. Any chosen item could be preserved, including a few strands of hair or flower bits. It could be designed in a circle or teardrop frame by resin. If you don’t want mourning jewelry to be too dark or vintage, this lovely piece is just perfect.
Wrapping Up
Most mourning jewelry designs are dramatic, usually with elaborate paintings and patterns set against a background of pitch-black. Still, it can be of any design that you find meaningful. What matter the most is that it represents the personal connection between the wearer and their deceased loved one.
