THE FINISHING TOUCH

Say ‘yes’ to gorgeous wedding jewellery and accessories

It’s proposal season! The festive period and Valentine’s Day are favourite times of the year for popping the question. Many brides-to-be will be starting out 2022 with a sparkly new ring on their finger and will be looking for wedding bands to match, not forgetting all the other important accessories to complement their big-day look. As well as the all-important rings, there’s a whole lot more to consider, everything from classic tiaras, necklaces and earrings to contemporary pieces and bespoke designs. Not to mention, those must-have extras like veils and accessories for the other important leading ladies – the mums!

CONTEMPORARY FEELGOOD FACTOR

Hampshire-based Annie Haak Jewellery is renowned for its stylish, on-trend designs. Designed with messages of love, support and positivity, there’s a range of pieces that are great for your something new or a meaningful gift for the bridal party. Visit www.anniehaakdesigns.co.uk to find out more and don’t miss our fabulous giveaway on page 13 this issue, for your chance to bag one of their beautiful Hearts of Love silver bracelet stacks worth £165.

Open heart silver stud earrings

Rigel personalised silver bangle

Bella Anna silver charm bracelet Tiara trio silver bracelet stack Rigel personalised silver rings

RING-ADING-DING

Southsea-based jewellery designer Charlotte Cornelius specialises in creative and ethical jewellery, individually designed and handmade on site. Visit www.charlottecornelius.co.uk

These pretty and petite diamond initial pieces make perfect gifts for the bridal party and there’s the option of a necklace, bracelet or stud earrings depending on their style! Or why not wear one yourself on the big day with your initials and your partner’s? Available from Hampshire-based David Mellor family jewellers in any metal, including 9ct white, yellow and rose gold. Visit www.davidmellorjewellers.co.uk to see more.

STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD

If you’re looking to turn heads, these unique headpieces by millinery designer Dawn Coveney are all designed and handmade at her studio in the heart of the Dorset countryside. She launched her business Isidora Hebe Millinery to offer bespoke designs for all occasions, including bridal headpieces and fabulous fascinators for the mother-of-the-bride or groom. Not only super glamorous, there’s no need to worry that anyone else will be wearing the same! Visit www.isidorahebe-milliner.com

Toffee and blue free-formed swirl fascinator great as a statement piece at any wedding. Structured free formed black fascinator embellished with tiny Swarovski crystals highlighting the eye line. This fascinator would look stunning with a fitted dress.

Hand dip-dyed pink and white percher hat with veil effect, perfect for a bride or wedding guest. Classic ivory fascinator highlighted with pale blue Swarovski crystals and pale blue feathers.

ALL IN THE DETAIL

The Harmony veil and accessories is one of the latest additions from Hampshirebased Thinly Veiled Secret (www.thinlyveiledsecret.com), specialists in luxurious bespoke veils and wedding accessories. The stunning single tier, cut edge, ballet-length veil (pictured), is decorated with hand-stitched flower petals and double-sided pearl centres. “Our bespoke service provides the opportunity to take part in creating a unique design for your veil, which we can then carry through to the rest of your accessories,” says owner Wendy Race. After launching in 2019 she’s marking the 3rd anniversary of the business by offering a 20 per cent discount on orders during January and February 2022 visit www.facebook.com/thinlyveiledsecret to find out more.

EASTLEIGH // ANDOVER // TOTTON www.davidmellorjewellers.co.uk

IN THE KNOW

Adding the finishing touches to your bridal attire can really give it w-day wow factor. Be sure to pick the right pieces with our handy guide...

❤ Carat A carat is the measure of the weight of the gem. One carat is equal to a fifth of a gram and can also be divided into 100 points, with 25 points being equal to a quarter of a carat. Because smaller carats are more common, they’re less valuable than gems of a higher grade.

❤ Colour Diamonds are also marked on colour. Although they generally appear colourless, they actually include subtle shades of yellow and brown. Colourless gems are marked between D and F, while stones graded S to Z are yellow in colour. The further you work down the alphabet, the more colour the gem will contain and therefore the less valuable it is.

❤ Clarity A gem’s clarity is based on how light is reflected into and back out of the stone. This can be affected by small marks called inclusions. It’s extremely rare to find a jewel that has no inclusions and its worth is dependent on how many there are. The clarity grades are: FL – Flawless IF – Internally flawless VVS – Very, very slightly included VS – Very slightly included SI – Slightly included I – Included

❤ Cut Brilliant – the traditional shape of an engagement ring. A brilliant-cut gem features a cone-shaped point underneath its round-faced to maximise the return of light passed through. Princess – the top of a princess cut is square with pointed corners and is pyramid-shaped sideways on. Emerald – with a rectangular shape and cropped corners, the emerald cut is popular with Art Deco-inspired jewellery. Marquise – an elongated shape with pointed edge. Said to mirror the smile of the Marquise of Pompadour, it was commissioned by King Louis XIV. Oval – a symmetrical oval design developed in the ’60s as a twist on the brilliant cut. Baguette – popular for wedding rings, baguette cuts are slender and rectangular. Pear – also known as a teardrop cut, a pear cut features a single point and a rounded edge. Heart – styled in the shape of a heart, this cut is seen as the most romantic of all. Radiant – with 70 facets and distinguished by its cropped corners, the radiant cut is popularly a rectangle but can also be square in shape. Cushion – cushion cuts have rounded corners and large facets to increase the brilliance of the gem, they can be both a square or rectangle. Trilliant – a dramatic cut, it’s traditionally triangular but can also be rounded ❤ Gem stones Diamonds – diamonds are the symbol of love: the tip of cupid’s arrow was said to be adorned with the colourless gems. Sapphire – the stone has increased in popularity since Prince William presented the Duchess of Cambridge with his late mother’s sapphire engagement ring. The blue stone was discovered in India in 1880 and is said to represent truth and loyalty. Ruby – the deep red stones are mined in Asia and were originally used to decorate amour as they’re believed to bring good fortune. Amethyst – a type of quartz, the clear purple stone was originally used by the ancient Greeks for wine goblets as its thought to stop intoxication. Tanzanite – celebrated as the 20th-century gemstone after being discovered in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in the ’60s, tanzanite is extremely rare and only found in one place worldwide. Emerald – said to represent luxury, rich green emeralds are found in Egypt, close to the Red Sea. Garnet – most commonly recognised as a red stone, garnet is a popular choice for vintage jewellery. The gem can also be found in shades of violet, green, black, yellow and a rare blue. Aquamarine – the most versatile of jewels, aquamarine is a pale blue or turquoise green shade and is found in many African nations. Pearl – pearls are a popular choice for brides on their big day. Created by shelled molluscs, there are two types: saltwater, which are usually rounder; and freshwater, which can vary in shape, size and colour.

UP-AND-COMING ALTERNATIVES

Many brides are breaking tradition when it comes to choosing their bridal jewellery by going with less popular stones, which are just as beautiful – these are the five to keep an eye out for... ❤ Morganite ❤ Moissanite ❤ Onyx ❤ Tourmaline ❤ Labradorite BIRTHSTONES January – Garnet | February – Amethyst March – Aquamarine | April – Diamond May – Emerald | June – Pearl July – Ruby | August – Peridot September – Sapphire | October – Opal