AuctionsOct 18, 2024
Piece of the Week: Babe Paley’s Clip-Brooch NecklaceCollectionsOct 25, 2024
Piece of the Week: A Haunting Piece of Mourning Jewelry
The pendant, circa the late 1700s, likely was commissioned to remember a loved one who died young.
Halloween is the time of year to celebrate all things macabre and there is nothing darker and more haunting than an antique piece of mourning jewelry.
This pendant, circa the late 1700s, has a low-karat gold frame surrounding a sepia ink depiction of an urn resting atop a pillar that reads, “Safe will I keep these dear remains.”
On the right side of the image a woman is resting her arm on the pillar, while the left side shows an angel cutting a rose, a reference to the idiom, “nip’d in the bud.”
An oval-shaped piece of bone serves as the canvas for this piece of mourning jewelry.
It’s likely this pendant was commissioned after the death of a young person because of the symbolism stemming from the rose, which was cut before it had the chance to fully grow, KIL N.Y.C. CEO Konstantinos I. Leoussis explained in an email to National Jeweler.
The antique piece, which originally was a clasp before being turned into a pendant, comes from the Georgian era, when mourning jewelry was common.
Pieces were created as tributes to deceased loved ones as a way to honor their memory and cushion the loss.
Urns were often depicted in these pieces as a symbol of the soul’s departure from the body. Skulls and weeping willows were frequently seen in mourning jewelry as well.
Portraits typically were painted on ivory or enamel and encased in silver or gold, like this pendant, and occasionally surrounded by pearls to symbolize tears.
In the Victorian period, human hair was incorporated into mourning jewelry as a way to hold on to a physical piece of the deceased while symbols were used less, replaced by portraits of the deceased.
This mourning pendant is available for $1,800 at KIL N.Y.C.
To view more antique mourning jewelry, visit KIL N.Y.C.’s website.
Related stories will be right here …
This pendant, circa the late 1700s, has a low-karat gold frame surrounding a sepia ink depiction of an urn resting atop a pillar that reads, “Safe will I keep these dear remains.”
On the right side of the image a woman is resting her arm on the pillar, while the left side shows an angel cutting a rose, a reference to the idiom, “nip’d in the bud.”
An oval-shaped piece of bone serves as the canvas for this piece of mourning jewelry.
It’s likely this pendant was commissioned after the death of a young person because of the symbolism stemming from the rose, which was cut before it had the chance to fully grow, KIL N.Y.C. CEO Konstantinos I. Leoussis explained in an email to National Jeweler.
The antique piece, which originally was a clasp before being turned into a pendant, comes from the Georgian era, when mourning jewelry was common.
Pieces were created as tributes to deceased loved ones as a way to honor their memory and cushion the loss.
Urns were often depicted in these pieces as a symbol of the soul’s departure from the body. Skulls and weeping willows were frequently seen in mourning jewelry as well.
Portraits typically were painted on ivory or enamel and encased in silver or gold, like this pendant, and occasionally surrounded by pearls to symbolize tears.
In the Victorian period, human hair was incorporated into mourning jewelry as a way to hold on to a physical piece of the deceased while symbols were used less, replaced by portraits of the deceased.
This mourning pendant is available for $1,800 at KIL N.Y.C.
To view more antique mourning jewelry, visit KIL N.Y.C.’s website.
More on Collections
The Latest
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
CrimeAug 31, 2026
$4M Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace Snatched From Vienna Museum Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
Events & AwardsAug 31, 2026
Wisconsin Museum to Host Jewelry Exhibition“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
CollectionsAug 31, 2026
Catbird Launches First Men’s Jewelry CollectionThe “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
SourcingAug 28, 2026
Gareth Penny to Give Opening Speech at CIBJO Centenary CongressThe former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
IndependentsAug 28, 2026
Day’s Jewelers Honored With 3 Workplace AwardsThe employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.
CollectionsAug 27, 2026
Pandora Expands ‘Talisman’ Collection as Lawsuit Continues The second iteration of the jewelry collection was inspired by the zodiac and the four elements: earth, water, air and fire.
SourcingAug 27, 2026
OFAC Renews License Allowing Import of ‘Grandfathered’ Russian Diamonds General License 104B supersedes General License 104A, which was set to expire on Sept. 1.
CrimeAug 27, 2026
Customs Seizes Nearly 900 Pieces of Counterfeit JewelryThe package, intercepted in Indianapolis, contained fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and Van Cleef and Arpels jewelry.
IndependentsAug 27, 2026
Jessica McCormack to Open First West Coast StoreThe new location in Costa Mesa, California, marks the brand’s second store in the United States and fourth standalone location worldwide.
