Victorian Onyx and Seed Pearl Mourning Pin

A striking example of Victorian mourning jewelry, this elegant bar pin features a polished rectangular onyx plaque framed in 14K yellow gold with finely detailed decorative embellishments. A diagonal row of nine seed pearls provides a graceful contrast to the deep black onyx. Delicate gold metalwork frames the pearls like lace, lending the piece an airy elegance despite its somber origins.

During the Victorian era, onyx and seed pearls were often incorporated into mourning jewelry as symbols of remembrance, creating pieces that balanced sentiment with refined craftsmanship. Today, this beautifully preserved brooch is equally at home as a collector’s piece or as a sophisticated statement accessory, admired for its timeless design and rich historical character.

Circa 1880