Early Victorian Pinchbeck Hair Brooch

Contrary to popular belief, hair jewelry was not always mourning jewelry. Sometimes these intricately woven pieces were created as love tokens from sweethearts, family members and cherished friends as a way to feel closer to the other. It also was worn merely as fashion since hair jewelry was in vogue during the Victorian era.

Gaining in popularity during the Civil War, hair work was an affordable and common at-home drawing room past time, much like knitting. Patterns and templates were widely available in newspapers, fashion magazines and periodicals. Many young women earned a living making hair jewelry at home.

For those less skilled or crafty, hair jewelry also could be purchased through catalogs or from jewelry stores. All one had to do was decide which piece they would like to have created and then send off a lock of hair to have it transformed into the piece of their dreams. 

Exquisitely handcrafted in pinchbeck -- a secret blend of zinc and copper designed to look and wear like real gold -- this stunning brooch features intricately woven human hair set under glass. Sadly, there is no identifying information engraved on the back so we do not know who the hair belonged to or whether this was a mourning piece or romantic piece. 

Still, it is a lovely piece of jewelry showcasing a since forgotten past time of our ancestors.