Victorian mourning brooches are very collectable but they do always have a somber mood to them. But , just think how wonderfully suitable they would be to wear to a Halloween party this year. Not only are these original antiques black in colour they have the connection with the dead which is celebrated each October 31st.

The materials most often used in Victorian black jewellery are Jet, French Jet ( polished black glass), Bog Oak and enamels however early forms of resin and plastics were also found. Here are a few nice Victorian mourning brooches available from antiquesavenue:

Victorian Jet Brooch
A superb Victorian Whitby Jet mourning brooch which has been carved in 3d with a lily of the valley flower. The lily of the valley was a sentimental flower to the Victorians: – sweetness, return to happiness; humility, purity, you’ve made my life complete, birthday flower for May, Legend says that Mary’s tears turned into Lily of the valley at the foot of the cross
This Whitby jet brooch measures about 4.8 x 4 cms and is in lovely antique condition , if you look very closely you can see a small nick to one of the leaves

Victorian Pietra Dura Brooch
A wonderful Pietre dure brooch which will date from the victorian era. Pietre dure is the term given to the technique of using small, exquisitely cut and fitted, highly-polished colored stones to create what amounts to a painting in stone. Here we have a typical stone painting of flowers set into a silver mount. This brooch will date from the Victorian era. It measures a little over 4 cms long and fastens with a simple C catch. This victorian brooch is in excellent condition

Victorian Mourning Locket brooch
This antique brooch will date from the victorian age. It has a central locket compartment which is currently occupied by a picture of a lady. This central locket compartment is surrounded by a black enamel panel . The metal is gold tone. It measures 4 cms long. This brooch will date from time following the death of Price Albert when mourning jewellery was high fashion. The reverse shows signs of light wear to the gold colour of the metal

This one is a little older – A georgian brooch, not black but containing a lock of the deceaseds hair:
Georgian Mourning Brooch
A genuine antique brooch which is approximately 200 years old. This Georgian brooch has a central glass covered compartment and the metal will be gold filled ( a gold outer with metal core) The central compartment contains a weave of hair with a gold scroll over. This antique brooch is typical of Georgian jewellery.This brooch fastens with a simple C catch, it measures about 1.8 cms wide – crikey perhaps its haunted

What ever piece of antique jewellery you choose this Haloween – Happy Haunting!