This yellow gold ring, set with five round garnets was most assuredly "mourning" jewelry. 

The mid Victorian period was a time of nation-wide mourning. Queen Victoria's beloved Albert died and she mourned the loss for the rest of her life, always wearing black, including black jewelry.

Sadly, it was a time of mourning for many because diseases were rampant and several tragic wards took the lives of many loved ones. Typically, the most austere mourning period was for one year and black was worn in fashion and jewelry. After the prerequisite year, one began 'half' mourning. Garnet was the jewel of choice for 'half' mourning. Purples and dark mauves were worn in conservative fashion.