MOURNING JEWELLERY

The use of jewellery to memorialise the dead dates back to the 1400s in medieval times when woman wore small rings which contained the ashes of the deceased.

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It later became hugely popular in the 1800s, known more commonly then as memento mori jewellery. This was used to remind people of their immortality, using motifs such as skulls, skeletons and coffins. These pieces were generally rings or necklaces with black accents and did not necessarily contain ashes.

It is believed that the death of Queen Victoria's husband Albert began the craze again. Victoria memorialised Albert in various ways throughout her life and wore her mourning ring until her own death and frequently wearing a locket containing Albert's hair.

This method of using hair within memorial jewellery was used greatly during the Georgian and Victorian era.

Using ashes and physical remains in jewellery is still used to this day.  “Cremation jewellery has been steadily rising in popularity over the years".

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Nowadays, hundreds of businesses online offer the option of crafting a piece of jewellery which incorporates a loved one's ashes.