Readers of this blog have heard me describe costume jewelry in a variety of ways: gorgeous, graceful, exquisite…as well as lifeless, insipid, tired, and “what were they thinking?” ugly. But today I am going to show you a few pieces that are just plain ODD.
Hair Jewelry
I’m guessing that most people would be charmed find that their grandmother tucked a tiny curl of her baby’s hair in a locket. But how would you feel if she had saved hanks of hair from her dead husband to weave into a bracelet?
Jewelry made of human hair was a “thing” in the late 1800s. I was first exposed to this alarming phenomenon through an episode of “Antiques Roadshow” a few years ago when a kindly lady brought in her collection to be appraised.
The bracelet shown above is available for purchase today on Etsy.
Shown below is page 13 from the 19th century book “Self-Instructor in the Art of Hair Work, Dressing Hair, Making Curls, Switches, Braids, and Hair Jewelry of Every Description” by Mark Campbell. In addition to instructions, the book also includes mountings available for purchase. By sending $10 to Mr. Campbell, presumably with your beloved’s hair, you could receive the pendant shown on the left, below. It is remarkably similar to the pendant shown on the right, which is another piece of hair jewelry you can find for sale today.
Gemboree Vintage 