Jewelry for the Bride

Text by Joanne M. Anderson

tThe perfect wedding gown may need little accessorizing beyond perfect make-up and perfect hair for the perfect bride, but jewelry can complement a style nicely. Perhaps the old adage of wearing "something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue" is being embraced. In this case, the old might be an heirloom bracelet, necklace or pendant. The new could be a special gem stone the bride especially adores. Something borrowed might also be a strand of pearls or simple bracelet or anklet you want to wear to honor the owner. And a star sapphire, blue topaz or turquoise in a pendant or a ring qualifies for something blue. Above and beyond those little wedding rituals are other reasons for wearing a necklace. For one, if you are wearing a strapless gown, it breaks up the space between the top of the wedding dress and your chin. You can use this occasion to wear a special piece of jewelry from a cherished grandmother, aunt or family friend. Initiate such a conversation once you have chosen your wedding gown, informing the participant that you would like to honor her by wearing a special piece of jewelry you have noticed she has. You might be surprised and find yourself in an awkward place if you let the grandma or friend choose the jewelry. Pearls are always in style. Real ones come from oysters and command a fairly high price. Cultured pearls, which came to the market in the early 1900s, also come from mollusks but have some human intervention. Nacre (the coating) and size dictate price and value,

Photo by Scott Webb

and strands of the same size, color and shape are more expensive. If you opt for one of these, be sure each pearl is knotted independently so if it breaks, only one falls away. Diamonds are still a girl's best friend, and not much illustrates understated elegance more than a charming, brilliant, diamond pendant. Rubies, emeralds, opals and other colorful stones look stunning on a polished chain. A diamond tennis bracelet will add glamour to your wrist. A few things to consider in jewelry apply mostly to the bracelet and anklet locations.

s Be sure the clasps are smooth s Avoid anything with raised settings that could catch on your dress, veil or train s Have a jeweler check the setting of each stone for security s If you wear an anklet, test it with your shoes and long dress s Double check clasps for secure latching s Make sure your hair will not interfere with a necklace s Be cautious that any ring, bracelet or anklet cannot get tangled in your gown s Have your mom or maid of honor put on your jewelry last.

The sparkle of gem stones, the warmth of an emotional connection to a special piece of jewelry and the comfortable complement to your wedding gown, veil, train, hair and smile will accent every photograph and every moment of your wedding day.