Lab-GrownMay 12, 2025
Lightbox to Go Dark by Summer, De Beers Says The company plans to halt all consumer-facing activity this summer, while Lightbox factory operations will cease by the end of the year.
OtherJul 23, 2014
The History Behind … Mizpah jewelry
In this new monthly feature, National Jeweler editors delve into the when, where and why of antique jewelry. July’s focus is on Mizpah pieces, which first became popular in the Victorian era.
First made in the 1850s or 1860s, Mizpah jewelry, illustrated in this heart-shaped pink seen here, mainly was manufactured in silver, enabling people from all classes to buy and exchange the pieces.
New York--First popular in the earlier part of the Victorian era, Mizpah jewelry symbolized what so much jewelry still means today--a bond of love between two people.
In the first installment in the new “The History Behind …” series, National Jeweler explores the when, where and why of Mitzpah pieces with Harry L. Rinker.
Western Michigan-based Rinker is a writer, appraiser, consultant, collector and researcher in the field of antiques and collectibles. He recently took the time to chat with National Jeweler about Mizpah, which is a category of Victorian-era sentimental jewelry.
What is Mizpah jewelry? Mentioned in the Bible, Mizpah is a Hebrew word that has come to connote an emotional bond between two people. Mizpah jewelry generally was exchanged between two people who were lovers or close friends and might be separated from each other for some amount of time, Rinker said. Some of the pieces are engraved with the phrase, “The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another,” which immediately follows the mention of Mizpah in the book of Genesis.
When was it popular? Rinker said Mizpah jewelry first came about in the 1850s and 1860s during the Victoria era and was popular through the 1880s before experiencing a drop-off in popularity. The pieces experienced a revival, however, in the early 1900s, when men were leaving their families to fight in what at that time was called the Great War (World War I).
By the end of the conflict, interest in the pieces waned and they never regained popularity, Rinker said, though “sweetheart jewelry” was popular during World War II, pieces also exchanged between loved ones separated by war.
Why did people wear Mizpah jewelry? The Victorian era was a very formal age, with strict rules for courtship; couples, for example, often were chaperoned on all outings until they were married.
The social mores of the time severely limited gift options between men and women. A man in those days never would have bought a woman clothing, and the gifting of a necklace might have suggested a closer relationship than what was acceptable. “You had to be very careful” with gift-giving in those times, Rinker says.
Enter Mizpah pieces, which could safely be exchanged as sentimental tokens of affection, some of which even containing a verse from the Bible, as noted above.
People also wore these pieces
because they believed it would help their relationship grow, return their loved one to them or ensure the continuation of a friendship. They ascribed power to Mizpah, as people have done of jewelry and gemstones throughout the ages. “There’s no doubt in my mind that the Victorians and people up until World War I believed this was a kind of amulet of protection,” he says.
What materials were used for these pieces? While a few high-end pieces were gold or gold and silver and a few Mizpah rings even contained diamonds, most of it was silver, as it was made to be accessible to society as a whole.
Some of the pieces, including the lockets and heart-shaped pins, broke into two so each person could wear a piece.
How much is Mizpah jewelry worth? “It’s a very affordable range of antique jewelry, especially the mass-produced ones,” Rinker says.
Mizpah pins in silver can range between $85 and $150, while gold pins go for $400 to $600 or more. If a Mizpah necklace is on a period chain, the price could be even more, he adds.
“It’s a fairly inexpensive piece of jewelry that says … a lot.”
How can a retailer add Mizpah jewelry to their antique jewelry offerings? While Mizpah jewelry has not been popular in about 90 years, “The survival rate is enormous,” Rinker said. “The truth of the matter is a lot of this stuff was mass-produced. This was spread across the board in the Victorian era, not just in England but in the United States and elsewhere too.”
He recommends retailers who want to add Mizpah jewelry to their antique offerings try eBay in the United Kingdom, or dealers such as Jane Clarke at Morning Glory Antiques & Jewelry in Albuquerque, N.M. or Lenore Dailey of Lenore Dailey Fine Antique Jewelry.
To reach Rinker, who is the owner of Harry L. Rinker LLC, and obtain more information on Mizpah jewelry, visit HarryRinker.com.
The History Behind … is a new monthly feature for National Jeweler that aims to educate readers on antique jewelry. The August feature will focus on Georgian era mourning jewelry.
More on Other
The Latest
Policies & IssuesMay 12, 2025
Tariffs on Chinese Imports Temporarily Slashed as U.S.-China Reach Deal Following weekend negotiations, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will drop by 115 percent for the next 90 days.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
Jewelry By Picasso, Dalí on Display at Florida Art Museum “Artists’ Jewelry: From Cubism to Pop, the Diane Venet Collection” is on view at the Norton Museum of Art through October.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
Events & AwardsMay 12, 2025
CASE Awards Now Accepting Entries For 2025The deadline to submit is June 16.
Weekly QuizMay 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsMay 09, 2025
Lugano Diamonds CEO Resigns Amid Internal InvestigationMoti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s DayLichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
SourcingMay 09, 2025
Gemfields Resumes Emerald Mining in ZambiaThe miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.
CrimeMay 08, 2025
Former NYC Jewelry Store Employee Arrested in 2017 Choking Death of Boss Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.
EditorsMay 08, 2025
5 ‘Superfine’ Met Gala Jewelry MomentsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.
Supplier BulletinMay 08, 2025
Instappraise Introduces Game-Changing Trifold Appraisal FormatSponsored by Instappraise
FinancialsMay 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth Notes an Uptick in Engagement Ring Sales in Q1CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Margot McKinney Lands in the U.S. With New BoutiqueThe brand’s first independent location outside of Australia has opened in Beverly Hills, California.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Verragio Announces New Regional Sales ManagerCathy Marsh will lead the jewelry company’s efforts in the upper Midwest and western United States.
FinancialsMay 07, 2025
Pandora Posts Strong Q1, Plans for TariffsThe company has multiple strategies for dealing with tariffs, though its CEO said moving manufacturing to the U.S. is not one of them.
ColumnistsMay 07, 2025
The Smart Lab: Building a Seasonal Marketing Strategy for Mother’s Day and BeyondConnecting with your customers throughout the year is key to a successful holiday marketing push.
SourcingMay 07, 2025
Gemfields Says Emerald Sales Improved in Latest AuctionIts commercial-quality emerald sale held last month totaled more than $16 million, up from about $11 million in September 2024.
TechnologyMay 07, 2025
Punchmark’s Latest Podcast Features a Very Special Guest National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff joined Michael Burpoe to talk tariffs, consumer confidence, and the sky-high price of gold.
AuctionsMay 06, 2025
Harwell Godfrey Reimagines 10-Carat Blue Diamond for Met Gala-Ready BroochDesigner Lauren Harwell Godfrey made the piece as an homage to the 2025 gala’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
Events & AwardsMay 06, 2025
Here’s Who Made Jewelers of America’s New ‘20 Under 40’ ListExpanded this year to include suppliers, JA’s 2025 list honors 40 up-and-coming professionals in the jewelry industry.
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens New StoreLocated in Fort Smith, it’s the Mid-South jeweler’s first store in Northwest Arkansas.
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Gunderson’s Jewelers to Be Featured on ‘World’s Greatest’ TV SeriesThe episode about the family-owned jeweler will premiere May 17.
IndependentsMay 05, 2025
Zadok Jewelers Opens Store in AustinThe Houston-based jeweler’s new 11,000-square-foot showroom will include a Rolex boutique.
AuctionsMay 05, 2025
Nancy Astor’s Cartier Tiara Heads to AuctionThe turquoise and diamond tiara hasn’t been on the market since it was purchased by Lord Astor in 1930.
SourcingMay 05, 2025
Crater of Diamonds Yields 4-Carat Brown Diamond“The Duke Diamond” is the largest diamond registered at the Arkansas park so far this year.
TrendsMay 02, 2025
Ring Concierge, Kraft Partner on Mother’s Day Macaroni Necklace The childhood craft of making dried pasta necklaces for Mother’s Day is all grown up as the 14-karat gold “Forever Macaroni” necklace.
