Mourning jewelry is a form of jewelry that was created to commemorate and remember the dead. It has a long history that dates back to ancient times, and its use was widespread in Europe and North America during the Victorian era.

Memento Mori jewelry is a specific type of mourning jewelry that originated in ancient Rome and was designed to serve as a reminder of mortality. These items typically included images of skulls, hourglasses, or other symbols of death and were worn as a reminder to live life to the fullest.

In the Victorian era, mourning jewelry became highly popular and was worn by both men and women. Jewelry was made from black materials, such as jet and onyx, and was often adorned with images of hair from the deceased, initials, or other personal symbols. It was also common for jewelry to be made from the materials of a deceased person's clothing, such as buttons or lace.

Mourning jewelry was not just a symbol of grief and loss, but also a way to keep the memory of the deceased alive. It was worn as a personal reminder of the deceased, and as a symbol of respect and remembrance in public.

Today, mourning jewelry is not as widely used as it was in the past, but it continues to hold significance for some people who seek to remember and honor their loved ones who have passed away.

While mourning jewelry is not as common as it was in the past, some people still choose to wear items that commemorate their loved ones. The types of mourning jewelry worn today vary, and may include:

1. Memorial or cremation jewelry: This type of jewelry is designed to hold a small amount of a loved one's ashes, hair, or other personal mementos.
2. Lockets and pendants: These are pieces of jewelry that open to reveal a photograph or other image of the deceased. Some lockets may also contain a small amount of ashes or other personal items.
3. Bracelets and rings: These items may be engraved with the name or initials of the deceased, as well as dates or other personal symbols.
4. Charms: Charms may be added to bracelets or necklaces to commemorate a loved one. These may include symbols such as hearts, angels, or other religious or spiritual symbols.
5. Customized jewelry: Some people choose to have customized pieces of jewelry made to honor their loved ones. This may include designing a piece of jewelry with specific gemstones, colors, or symbols that have personal meaning.

It is important to note that the type of mourning jewelry worn is a personal choice, and there are no strict rules or guidelines on what is appropriate. Some people choose not to wear any jewelry at all, but find other ways to honor and remember their loved ones.