Themed
weddings are all the rage today and brides
are dressing the part. According to Helena Krodel, spokesperson
for the Jewelry Information Center, a nonprofit trade association
in New York, "Fine jewelry enhances all the special details of a
theme wedding, like
icing on a wedding cake." When worn during the
wedding, fine jewelry holds the essence of the bride and
acts as a talisman in celebration of that precious union for years
to come. Here are some of the favorite themed
weddings of today and
the jewelry that epitomizes them.
Medieval Royalty
Do you want to be the belle of the
ball? If throwing an elegant overstated party, the
wedding attire should be
out of a fairytale. Brides may choose among breathtaking tiaras
like Karen Karch's rose cut diamond and white gold version,
complete with French hook earrings that double as tiara charms.
Kwiat's crisp white diamond model is as breathtaking as the bride
herself. A pair of sparkling chandeliers dripping with white topaz
briolette gemstones is an affordable alternative by Robin Rotenier.
A matching crown pendant, inspired by chateau gates in France, is
regal when strung with faceted small rhondell beads in pink
tourmaline or sapphire (for her something blue).
Seaside and Sunny
A
beautiful wedding
is in the forecast. Ladies in breezy dresses are easily
accessorized with Jane Gordon's earrings and single pendants in
bright sun-kissed gemstones like citrine, blue topaz and peridot.
Perfect thank-you gifts for flower girls and junior bridesmaids
are layered nostalgic charm necklaces. As a gift, offer one
personalized charm to each attendant, which can be added on and
treasured for years to come. Pendant layering is gaining
popularity among brides. Crosses, Stars of David, lockets,
initials or hearts are a great way to achieve impact in lieu of
one large-scale necklace. Play up a beach
wedding with jewels that
celebrate the sea's little creatures. Ise Jewelry designer Anna
Henriques has created bib necklaces and charm bracelets in yellow
and white gold with sea horses, shells and starfish encrusted with
petite gems which sound like wind chimes when worn and catch the
flickering sun light on that special day.
Bright Lights, Big City
With a short
wedding dress for her
and a black suit and satin tie for him, big "bling" jewelry is
just what the wedding ordered. For the bride who is anything but traditional and holds a
keen sense of style, there are large yet slim crosses by Cassis in
yellow and white gold. M+J Savitt offers a petite white gold Star
of David bracelet with pristine pavé white diamonds. A single
strand of large grey Tahitian pearls by Mikimoto looks stunning
and mysterious. For men, Dior offers a solid 18-karat yellow gold
watch, which can add big splash to the serious black ensemble.
Daniel Espinosa's sterling silver jewelry epitomizes modernity;
his cameo, which hangs from a multi-strand chain, is an unusual
bridal favorite. Elizabeth Blair's South Sea pearl cluster brooch
is perfect for pinning in the "V" of your décolletage, on the top
of the veil as a headpiece, or as a hair adornment.
Rustic Country Charm
Country and western
weddings warrant feel
good attire like fine jewelry in sterling-silver accented with
materials of the earth, such as turquoise. Designers like Relios
have created jewelry in this spirit: a filigree heart pin in
sterling-silver openwork, a Western scroll cuff that is thin and
intricate, or a pair of Western chandelier cross earrings with
tiny turquoise spheres that swing while the bride does the
two-step. Suzy Landa's 18-karat matte yellow gold earrings
embedded with bezel set diamonds are tiny replicas of lassos.
The most important step when shopping
for fine jewelry is to purchase from a reputable jeweler. Look for
a retailer who is a member of a professional trade association,
such as Jewelers of America (JA), who is required to maintain high
ethical standards and is provided with ongoing education. For more
information on fine jewelry and to find a list of professional
jewelers near you, visit the Jewelry Information Center's Web site
at
www.jewelryinfo.org.
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