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
SourcingSep 04, 2025
Lucara Unveils Unusual 37-Carat Pink DiamondThe Type IIa stone, recovered from Botswana’s Karowe diamond mine last month, features unique coloration.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2025
27 Can’t-Miss Converge Sessions, Events From sunrise yoga to tariffs talks, these are some events to check out at the upcoming inaugural event.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
WatchesSep 04, 2025
Breitling Takes Its NFL Game to the Next Level Breitling is now the NFL’s official timepiece partner, a move that puts the brand in front of the millions of Americans who watch football.
Weekly QuizSep 04, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2025
The NYC Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show Returns in NovemberNYCJAOS is set for Nov. 21-23 in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
SourcingSep 03, 2025
Gemfields Confirms Completion of Fabergé SaleU.S.-based investment company SMG Capital LLC is the new owner of the luxury brand.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
MajorsSep 03, 2025
These Are the Nearly 300 Claire’s Stores Set to CloseA new court filing details the locations of the stores that will close, as well as the 830 that will remain open.
MajorsSep 03, 2025
Stuller Releases 2 New Catalogs The new catalogs are “Tools, Equipment, & Metals” and “Findings & Metals.”
TrendsSep 03, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: A Perfect BirthstoneSapphire’s variety of colors make it the perfect birthstone for September.
FinancialsSep 02, 2025
Lab-Grown Diamonds, Lower-Priced Fashion Jewelry Drive Signet Jewelers’ Q2 SalesThe retailer has raised its guidance after seeing total sales increase 3 percent in the second quarter, beating expectations.
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Birks CEO Jean-Christophe Bédos Steps DownNiccolò Rossi di Montelera, executive chairman of the board, was appointed as interim CEO.
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Harry Winston Opens Its Largest Flagship in JapanThe three-floor space also features the jeweler’s largest VIP salon in Japan and offers an exclusive diamond pendant.
AuctionsAug 29, 2025
Sotheby’s UAE Sale to Feature 32-Carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink DiamondThe highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.
FinancialsAug 29, 2025
Movado’s Q2 Sales Rebound Despite Tariff ImpactCEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.
Supplier BulletinAug 28, 2025
Clientbook Is Helping Jewelers Turn Clienteling Challenges into Wins with Hands-On Training and CoachingSponsored by Clientbook
GradingAug 28, 2025
GIA’s New ‘Quality Assessment’ for Lab-Grown Diamonds Is Coming It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.
SourcingAug 28, 2025
Botswana Declares Public Health Emergency Amid Diamond Sales SlumpPresident Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.
MajorsAug 28, 2025
Borsheims Names New Jewelry BuyerFormer Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.
IndependentsAug 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin Donates School Supplies to Memphis StudentsThe jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.
EditorsAug 27, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Is a Fairy Tale for Vintage Diamond CutsThe singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.
SourcingAug 27, 2025
11,685-Carat Emerald Recovered From Zambia’s Kagem MineDubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.
SurveysAug 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Slips in August Amid Job, Income WorriesPlans for dining out, booking vacations, and buying big-ticket items were down.
CollectionsAug 27, 2025
Mined + Found’s New Collection Gets Playful The “Play” collection centers on nostalgic toys that have kinetic elements to carry playfulness and wonder into adulthood.
CollectionsAug 26, 2025
Does Your Jewelry Stack Need a Snack?Designer Christina Puchi, the creative force behind CCWW Designs, has created charms and pendants based on iconic candies and crackers.
WatchesAug 26, 2025
Nick Jonas Gets Nostalgic in New Fossil CampaignThe Jonas Brothers star showed off new timepieces against the backdrop of his favorite spots in his home state of New Jersey.
