Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. No matter how old this marital rhyme may be, it continues to influence our bridal jewellery choices on the big day.
For something old, traditional styles are still proving desirable for today's brides. The celestial Victoria collection from Tiffany & Co. offers a classic suite of marquise and round brilliant diamonds, which will lend gravitas to the occasion, while pearl specialist YOKO London reports classic pearl jewellery, combining South Sea pearls and diamonds, is of particular interest to brides who want to "keep their jewellery clean and traditional for their wedding day".
Wearing something blue when taking your vows is another lovely nod to tradition. While most brides will sneak it in on a garter beneath the dress, blue gemstones, such as the topaz set in the gold Biiju earrings from the Els collection, or the sapphires in the Boodles earrings from the Vintage Palace collection, offer a wonderful opportunity to liven up a neutral wedding dress.
Moving up from the ears, wedding-day hairstyles offer another opportunity to shine. For subtle sparkle, try an antique store for a vintage hair clip - online marketplace 1stdibs has a great selection - or for full-on glamour, opt for a tiara.
A new collection of Chaumet tiaras called Joséphine, named after Napoléon's first wife, offers not only two spectacular white gold and diamond tiaras, but Chaumet rings and cuffs to match, which are miniaturised versions of the tiaras. Matching jewels is a strong theme for weddings, with suites a popular choice if bought as a gift by relatives or the husband to be. Chopard bridal jewellery has taken this theme further by offering suites that match its engagement rings, providing a seamless look on the day.
For something borrowed, many brides are opting to borrow inspiration from nature. "Florals are popular for bridal jewellery," says Boodles designer Claire Fozard, who picks out Maymay Rose and Blossom as key collections. "Floral motifs are a traditional option but our designs are often abstract to suit a more modern bride." And this brings us nicely to the something new.
While traditional bridal jewellery styles still reign, for those who want to break with tradition, or at least bend it, Fozard points out the orbicular Circus collection from Boodles as an example of a more daring choice, while Boghossian jewellery pushes the envelope even further by presenting a twisting, avante garde Saut d'Ange diamond cuff and earrings. And for bridal shoppers looking for a twist on classic pearls, the Radiant Orchid collection from YOKO London offers more exotic hues in its purplish-pink pearls.
Upholding wedding-day jewellery traditions, but approaching them with a creative flexibility, seems to be the order of the day for the modern bride, and we’ll happily raise a glass to that.
Read about how to commission a bespoke engagement ring
