Antique Mourning Rings Add a Touch of Mysterious Macabre to Your Jewelry Box

Take a close look at the gold mourning ring above. In the center the woven hair is actually the hair of the deceased. With the exception of some minimal gold scrollwork around the edge of the ring, there is no other adornment.

While this is certainly common in Victorian mourning jewelry, you will find more gemstones and embellishment. Of course all within Victorian standards. Often the pearls created cross patterns. They also looked great against the black mourning colors. Since Victorian men also wore mourning jewelry and rings, it's common to see band rings as well as the more typical gemstone lockets. These bands often had intricate geometric designs, that foreshadowed the Art Deco patterns of the 1930's.

Black hearts trimmed in gold with the deceased family member were also very popular. You'll find pearls decorating the heart and perhaps a few on the band.

Diamonds were another favorite mourning ring. You can see how effective the combination is to the right. The usually solitary diamonds really do pop off the polished onyx background. Mourning rings come in all shapes and sizes. From large bold rectangles to smaller circles. The scroll work around the edges is often the visual element that gives it its vintage or antique charm.

I think that mourning jewelry can be used today to remember a beloved family member or friend. If your Mother has passed on and she had a piece of jewelry with several gemstones, pearls or diamonds, consider having identical mourning rings made for close family members. It might be more well received that choosing a single person to receive the one piece of jewelry.

Don't think that your family's mourning ring has to be black and somber. You could include beautiful gemstones and then put her initials on the band. Of course you could make it a locket and carry a piece of her hair or some ashes, if you choose. I have a cousin who bought a locket and carries a small bit of her father's ashes in it.