The Allure of Victorian Mourning Jewelry: A Look at History and Beauty on Ruby Lane

A Collector’s Guide to Victorian Mourning Jewelry on Ruby Lane

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Intensely personal, deeply symbolic, and hauntingly beautiful, Victorian mourning jewelry offers a unique window into the past. More than mere accessories, these pieces were tangible connections to lost loved ones, worn as public declarations of grief and private tokens of remembrance. In an era when death was an ever-present part of life, these intricate artifacts allowed individuals to carry their love and sorrow with them.

Today, collectors and history enthusiasts are drawn to the artistry, history, and profound emotion captured in each piece. Marketplaces like Ruby Lane have become treasured destinations for discovering these authentic historical gems. This guide will explore the fascinating world of victorian mourning jewelry, from its rich history and symbolism to the materials used and how you can find your own piece of this poignant tradition.

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What is Victorian Mourning Jewelry? A Tradition of Remembrance

At its core, what is victorian mourning jewelry is a question about sentiment and social custom. It refers to jewelry worn to commemorate a deceased loved one, which became exceptionally popular during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901). While the tradition existed before her time, the Victorian era saw mourning etiquette become highly codified, and jewelry was a central part of this expression. This form of bereavement jewelry was not just an accessory; it was a wearable memorial, often incorporating personal elements like a lock of the deceased’s hair, their initials, or important dates.

The concept evolved from earlier traditions of memento mori jewelry antique, which translates from Latin to "remember you must die." This older style focused on the mortality of the wearer, often using symbols like skulls and skeletons. The mourning jewelry victorian era shifted the focus to commemorating a specific person, making it more personal and sentimental. This powerful antique memorial jewelry served as a constant reminder of a cherished individual, transforming grief into a beautiful, lasting tribute.

The History of Mourning Jewelry: A Royal Influence

To understand the history of mourning jewelry, one must look to its predecessor, the georgian mourning ring, which was often bequeathed in wills to friends and family. However, the popularity of mourning jewelry exploded in the 19th century. The pivotal moment in the mourning jewelry history came in 1861 with the death of Queen Victoria’s beloved husband, Prince Albert.

The Queen plunged into a deep state of mourning that lasted for the rest of her life. Her public and unwavering grief set the standard for the entire empire. She wore black clothing and victoria mourning jewelry exclusively, making it not only socially acceptable but fashionable. This royal endorsement cemented the importance of victorian era mourning jewelry. Consequently, the period from the 1860s to the 1880s is considered the peak of when was mourning jewelry popular. This widespread adoption created a significant industry for artisans specializing in this unique and poignant craft. The pieces from this time are a testament to the era’s intricate social codes and its profound relationship with death and remembrance.

Decoding the Symbols: The Secret Language of Grief

One of the most captivating aspects of antique victorian mourning jewelry is its rich symbolic language. Every motif was carefully chosen to convey a specific sentiment about life, death, and the afterlife. Understanding victorian mourning jewelry symbolism is key to appreciating the depth and meaning of each piece.

Common symbols and their mourning jewelry meaning include:

  • Weeping Willow: A classic symbol of sorrow and mourning.
  • Urn: Represents the body’s final resting place and the soul’s departure.
  • Flowers: Forget-me-nots signified remembrance, lilies represented purity or the resurrection of the soul, and roses symbolized love.
  • Snake or Ouroboros: A snake biting its own tail represents eternal love and the cycle of life and death.
  • Pearls: Often used in pieces for children or young, unmarried women, pearls symbolized tears.
  • Initials & Dates: Engravings of the deceased’s initials and the date of their death made the piece deeply personal.
  • Hair: The most intimate element, a lock of hair woven into the design, provided a tangible piece of the person being mourned.

This type of memento mori victorian jewelry was a form of communication, allowing the wearer to express emotions that were otherwise constrained by the strict etiquette of the day.

Materials of Mourning: From Human Hair to Blackest Jet

The materials used in victorian mourning jewellery were just as symbolic as the designs themselves. The question of what is mourning jewelry made of reveals a fascinating array of dark, somber, and deeply personal materials.

The most iconic material is jet, a fossilized wood that is deep, velvety black and lightweight. Jet victorian mourning jewelry from Whitby, England, was highly prized for its quality. It is crucial to understand what is jet mourning jewelry as many imitations exist, such as French jet (black glass), vulcanite, and bog oak.

Another key component was hairwork jewelry. The art of weaving human hair into intricate patterns was a popular way to create mourning jewelry made from human hair. This victorian jewelry made from hair could be plaited into bracelets, arranged under glass in a locket, or even chopped and used like paint to create sepia-toned memorial scenes. This tradition resulted in stunning examples of victorian hairwork jewelry.

Other common materials included:

  • Gutta Percha: A natural latex from the sap of trees, gutta percha mourning jewelry was a more affordable alternative to jet. It was thermoplastic, allowing it to be molded into elaborate designs. Understanding what is gutta percha jewelry helps collectors identify these unique pieces.
  • Black Enamel: Used extensively on mourning rings and lockets, often with gold lettering for names and dates.
  • Onyx and Agate: These black stones provided a durable and elegant base for black mourning jewelry.

Each material contributed to the somber aesthetic of this deeply personal death jewelry.

Common Types of Antique Mourning Jewellery

Mourning etiquette dictated a wide variety of jewelry types, each serving as a constant and visible expression of grief. This 19th century mourning jewelry ranged from subtle rings to elaborate brooches.

  • Rings: Perhaps the most common form, mourning rings were worn by both men and women. An antique mourning ring often featured black enamel, a central compartment for hair, or symbolic engravings. The mourning ring history stretches back centuries, but the victorian mourning ring became a staple of the era. These bereavement rings served as a very personal, ever-present connection to the deceased. Many collectors today seek a mourning ring antique for its historical significance.
  • Brooches & Pins: Victorian mourning brooches were large and ornate, often featuring a glass-covered compartment for a lock of hair or a photograph. The victorian mourning pin was a central element of the mourning wardrobe, fastening shawls and collars.
  • Lockets: The mourning locket for hair was an intensely private keepsake. The mourning locket history is rich with sentiment; these pieces allowed the wearer to keep a portrait or a lock of hair close to their heart. Victorian mourning lockets are among the most sought-after pieces of vintage mourning jewelry today.
  • Necklaces & Pendants: A victorian mourning necklace might feature beads of jet or a prominent victorian mourning pendant. An antique mourning pendant often mirrored the designs of brooches, with a central hair compartment and symbolic motifs.
  • Bracelets & Earrings: A victorian mourning bracelet was often woven from the deceased’s hair, while victorian mourning earrings were typically long, dramatic drops made from carved jet.

This diverse range of victorian memorial jewelry ensured that grief could be expressed through every part of one’s attire.

How to Identify Victorian Mourning Jewelry

For new collectors, learning how to identify victorian mourning jewelry is a crucial first step. Look for these key characteristics:

  1. Materials: Identify materials like jet (warm to the touch and very light), gutta percha, vulcanite, black enamel, and gold (often unmarked or low karat).
  2. Symbolism: Look for classic mourning motifs like weeping willows, urns, and forget-me-nots.
  3. Construction: Examine the findings. C-clasps, extended pins, and tube hinges are common on Victorian brooches.
  4. Personalization: The presence of woven hair, initials, or dates is a strong indicator of a piece’s purpose as antique funeral jewelry.
  5. Aesthetic: The overall tone should be somber and sentimental. The craftsmanship is often intricate and of high quality, especially in pieces made from gold and jet.

Finding Authentic Mourning Jewelry on Ruby Lane

For those looking for mourning jewelry for sale, online marketplaces are an invaluable resource. Ruby Lane jewelry is particularly well-regarded among collectors of antiques. The platform features a curated selection from expert dealers, making it a trusted source for rubylane antique jewelry. You can find a wide array of antique mourning jewelry for sale, from a simple antique memorial ring to elaborate pieces of jet mourning jewellery.

When browsing, you’ll discover everything from ruby lane rings to brooches and lockets. Many sellers provide detailed descriptions of the history and symbolism of their ruby lane vintage jewelry, which is essential when buying such a meaningful item. When considering the question, is ruby lane jewelry legit, it’s important to remember that it is a marketplace of individual, vetted sellers. Always check the specific dealer’s credentials and read the ruby lane jewelry reviews to ensure a confident purchase. The platform’s focus on high-quality ruby lane estate jewelry makes it one of the best places to find authentic antique mourning jewellery. Whether you are looking for mourning rings for sale or a piece of antique hair jewelry mourning, knowledgeable sellers on Ruby Lane can help you find a genuine connection to the past.

Frequently Asked Questions

what is mourning jewelry?
Mourning jewelry is a type of jewelry worn to commemorate and remember a deceased loved one. It was particularly popular in the 17th, 18th, and especially the 19th centuries, serving as a fashionable and socially accepted way to display grief.

what are mourning rings?
What are mourning rings is a common question; they are rings specifically created and worn to remember someone who has passed away. They often feature black enamel, the deceased’s name or initials, date of death, and sometimes contain a lock of their hair under a glass or crystal compartment.

what is a mourning brooch?
What is a mourning brooch is a decorative pin worn as part of mourning attire. These brooches, like other victorian mourning brooches, are typically black and often feature a central locket compartment for hair or a miniature portrait, surrounded by symbolic motifs like weeping willows or pearls for tears.

what is a mourning locket?
What is a mourning locket is a pendant that opens to reveal a space for a memento of the deceased. These mourning lockets most commonly held a lock of hair, a photograph, or a miniature portrait, keeping the loved one physically close to the wearer’s heart.

what is jet mourning jewelry?
What is jet mourning jewelry refers to pieces made from jet, a type of fossilized wood (lignite). It is deep black, lightweight, and can be carved into intricate designs. Whitby jet from England was considered the highest quality and was a hallmark of queen victoria mourning jewellery.

what is the history of mourning rings?
The history of mourning rings dates back to at least the 16th century but became a significant tradition in the Georgian and Victorian eras. Initially bequeathed in wills to friends and family, they evolved into highly personal and sentimental pieces worn during periods of grief, with their design and symbolism changing with fashion and social customs.