Our Extensive Guide to Wedding Jewellery

When you think about wedding jewellery, the first thing that probably springs to mind is a sparkly engagement ring. And yes, there’s no denying that the bejewelled band traditionally given by the man as a token of his love and commitment is probably one of the most important pieces of bridal jewellery. However, there’s so much more than that when it comes to planning your perfect wedding day look.

A wedding isn’t just any other day – it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience! To help you create an outfit perfect for this special occasion, we have put together our ultimate guide to wedding jewellery; from rings and necklaces to earrings and bracelets – discover everything you need to know before finalising your perfect look with a jewellery set to treasure forever.

necklace as bridal jewellery

Necklaces are an essential piece of bridal jewellery

Choosing a bridal necklace

Although an exact match isn’t required unless you want it to be, your wedding necklace should preferably match your selected earrings as closely as feasible. White gowns pair beautifully with jewellery made of clean silver, platinum, or white gold, and ivory looks beautiful with yellow gold.

Necklace chain types

If you’re looking for a certain chain type, the 3 main designs include:

Rope chains

Rope chains are made up of numerous tiny links that have been entwined to resemble a rope. A fine chain is an ideal choice for completing your entire style because it has a simple yet elegant finish.

Cable chains

Oval or circular links are a staple of cable chains, which are a popular classic. These links provide a magnificent appearance as they join both horizontally and vertically.

Curb chains

Curb chains are delicate, flat-linked chains that are the ideal choice for your big day. These are among the most common kinds of chains.

Types of metals used for necklaces

Although a variety of metals are used to make necklaces, white gold, yellow gold, and silver are the most common.

Silver is a lovely white metal that is a wise choice because it is durable. But because silver is so much softer than certain other metals, you need to take special care of it to keep it from tarnishing.

A mixture of gold and other metals is used to make gold jewellery, and the metals used in the alloy decide the colour—yellow, white, rose, etc. White gold is an alloy of pure gold and white metals like nickel, silver, and palladium, while yellow gold is an alloy of pure gold, silver, copper, and zinc. Rhodium is applied to white gold to make it appear whiter.

Freshwater pearls are a wonderful substitute for necklaces made of metal if you’re seeking something unique. These will give your wedding gown a truly exquisite finish when worn with pearl earrings.

Necklace Lengths

When selecting your wedding necklace, the length is crucial since it must properly match your attire. Short necklaces often range in length from 16 to 20 inches, while longer chains go beyond 22 inches. In order to ensure that very short chains (less than 16″) fit comfortably and hang properly, we advise taking neck measurements.

The extra space between your neck and the top of your dress will allow for a longer chain if your wedding gown has a plunging neckline, so you can accessorise with a longer necklace or pendant. A collarette is a perfect option if the dress has a higher cut because it will gently embrace your neckline.

Earrings as wedding jewellery

Earrings are an essential part of the wedding jewellery ensemble

Choosing wedding earrings for your bridal jewellery

Silver and platinum earrings go incredibly well with a spotless white gown if your outfit is highly formal. While wearing a white gown is considered formal, adding sterling silver, white gold, or platinum earrings gives a more contemporary feel.

The same could be said for ivory gowns, however, because the dress is creamier in colour here, gold looks great. Coloured gowns are becoming more and more common among brides, and because they are more daring, platinum, white gold, and silver earrings are a sure pick.

Stud earrings

With so many various styles to pick from, there is a pair of stud earrings that will suit your taste and the aesthetic you want for your wedding day.

For a timeless and sophisticated appearance, stud earrings are ideal. They don’t overpower your overall appearance and might be a lovely match for your wedding dress because they are understated and classic. Studs look great with long hair as well, so if you intend to let your hair down on your wedding day, this is the best choice for you.

Drop earrings

Drop earrings have a sophisticated look that is quite stunning. If you planned to wear your hair up, these are the ones for you because they hang down from your ear toward your shoulder and nicely complement an up-do.

These earrings are elegant, feature stunning detailing, and can enhance your overall appearance brilliantly on your wedding day. You have a variety of stone types to pick from, including diamond, pearl, and others to suit your preferences.

Hoop earrings

Hoop earrings will give your wedding day a little glitter. If you want something a bit more than a stud but a little less than a drop earring, hoops provide the ideal balance.

Hoops are an excellent style if you want something especially unique with an exquisite appearance for your wedding day. You should think about the size you choose while choosing hoops. Make sure you choose a hoop that doesn’t protrude more than a few inches past your earlobes in order to keep it elegant and stylish.

bridal bracelets

Choosing bridal bracelets

When picking what to wear on your wrist, you have a lot of possibilities.

Bracelet styles

Tennis bracelets

Tennis bracelets are a popular choice due to its classic yet edgy design, which is sure to suit your wedding dress. Tennis bracelets are composed of tiny diamonds connected by a thin metal chain.

Bangles

When choosing a lovely metal for your wedding day, use a firm bracelet like a bangle. They are beautiful and subtle, ideal for an unassuming appearance.

Link bracelets

Links of all shapes and sizes are used to construct link bracelets. They’re a well-liked choice because of their modern design and distinctive style that can be tailored to your preferences.

Pearl bracelets

We advise wearing matching earrings and a necklace when picking a pearl style. Pearl bracelets make a stunning impact on the day and create a genuinely feminine, classic look.

Chain types

Fancy chains

These can be made of any type of fine metal that can be copied and connected to form a chain. Due to the range of alternatives available, their versatility makes them a fantastic choice for your wedding day.

Mesh chains

These are created by weaving a thin, tubular chain of thread. These are perfect for giving a sleek finish and would look stunning with your wedding gown. In general, mesh chains are wider than other chains.

Belcher chains

A common form of a cable chain is a belcher chain or rolo chain, which has circular links that are flat inside and rounded outside. Rolo chains are sometimes referred to as chains with links that are rounded on both the inside and the outside.

The other chains that are available include:

  • Snake
  • Byzantine
  • Beaded
  • Curb
  • Cable
  • Figaro

engagement rings

Choosing engagement rings

The glimmering beginning of your perfect wedding jewellery narrative is your engagement ring. Given that it’s likely to be among the more expensive pieces of jewellery you ever purchase, it’s crucial to take your time and conduct some research before making a big purchase.

Selecting the right engagement rings

Consider what jewellery your partner currently owns. Does she wear classic or trendy pieces made of white or yellow metal? Keep an eye out for the styles of rings she likes on friends, famous people, and in jewellery store windows. Don’t forget to question her friends. She won’t necessarily expect you to give her a ring when you propose because many couples today chose the engagement ring together.

Diamond engagement ring styles

The first step in selecting a diamond engagement ring is to educate yourself on the 4 Cs of diamonds: carat, colour, cut, and clarity. These qualities determine a diamond’s value and aesthetic appeal.

Consider the diamond’s form next, especially if you have your heart set on a solitaire engagement ring. There are numerous available diamond forms, each with its unique characteristics and history. Round brilliant diamonds are the most widely used diamond form for engagement rings. Fancy shapes refer to any non-round brilliant diamond forms. These come in a variety of shapes, such as princess, emerald, pear, and marquise, and are ideal for people seeking a diamond engagement ring that is a little distinctive.

Your choice of diamond engagement ring style is crucial. Diamond engagement rings often come in three traditional designs.

Single Stone

The diamond solitaire ring, which features a single stone held proudly on a band of precious metal, is the traditional engagement ring. There are many additional styles available if you would like something a little different.

Three-stone diamond

The diamond in these engagement rings symbolises your past, present, and future together.

Diamond cluster

These engagement rings have numerous stones that have been delicately put together to create a stunning centre-piece.

Make sure to take your time and look around. You may choose the ideal diamond engagement ring for your love storey by trying on rings in a variety of various styles.

Engagement ring metals

The most common metals used to make engagement rings are platinum, yellow gold, or white gold. The strongest, most precious, and rarest metal is platinum. Platinum’s elegance is unaffected by bumps and scratches, making it the perfect material for diamond engagement rings.

An engagement ring made of yellow gold is a classic option that will never age. Since ancient times, yellow gold has been used to make engagement rings. It gives diamonds a cosy shine. White gold engagement rings have gained popularity recently and are a stunning, less expensive alternative to platinum engagement rings.

Engagement ring gemstones

With so many vibrant gemstones available, many upcoming brides opt to break with tradition and forego the traditional diamond engagement ring. Sapphire, renowned as the gem of monarchs, looks stunning when surrounded by diamonds to make a glorious cluster.

Either a ruby or an emerald engagement ring can be striking. Or why not select a birthstone engagement ring for something a little more unique and meaningful. Birthstones, a gemstone that is customarily linked to her birth month, can be put in engagement rings.

wedding rings

Choosing wedding rings

A wedding ring is a significant and exciting purchase because it will be the only wedding jewellery that both of you will wear forever. Brides and grooms today have the luxury of selecting from a broad selection of styles and metals, even if the conventional simple band of gold is still the most popular option for a wedding ring. The most crucial step is to select a wedding band that is ideal for you.

Wedding ring metals

The bride’s engagement ring typically determines the type of metal for her wedding band. Choosing the same metal and carat as the engagement ring is advised, though it is not required, as different metals can damage either and have small colour changes. The best metal rings available are:

Gold

Wedding rings made of white, yellow, and rose gold are available. The most typical and conventional type of gold is yellow which has grown in popularity. But keep in mind that since white gold needs to be rhodium-plated, it requires more upkeep than rose gold.

Platinum

White metal platinum is strong and typically expensive. It’s one of the most widely used metals for wedding and engagement rings but consider that platinum weighs more than other metals.

Two Metal

The two metal wedding rings mix two different metal types to create a beautiful object. The metals that can be combined are gold and silver, silver and platinum, and so on.

Palladium

Compared to platinum wedding bands, palladium wedding rings are more economical and just as gorgeous. Palladium is adaptable but strong, making it ideal for modifying into stone-set or patterned designs. Because the metal is pure, they are excellent for persons with sensitive skin and are lightweight and simple to maintain.

Wedding ring shapes

Both men’s and women’s wedding rings come in a wide variety of shapes, each with distinct advantages. Some are thin, some appear classic, while others are quite cosy and look great next to an engagement ring.

If you want to make sure that both you and your spouse are content with the design, you should take into account all of the available wedding ring options. These are occasionally referred to as profiles, and they differ slightly from one kind of wedding ring to another.

Court Shaped Ring

One of the most comfortable rings available is this one. This ring type has a rounded look but a nearly oval cross-section. Its smooth, rounded form eliminates any edges or corners that can rub against your finger and cause friction, making wearing it a more pleasant experience.

D Shaped Ring

The cross-section of this ring resembles a capital D. The inside border of the ring is flat and broad, despite the circular top. Because they complement an engagement ring effectively, these very light rings have been typical wedding bands for many years.

Double Comfort Ring

It has a flat, straightforward design with a rectangular cross-section. These rings, which are typically worn by guys, have a contemporary, fashionable feel to them that sets them apart from other items in their category.

Flat Ring

All sides of the flat profile are flat in design (inside and out). As a result, the style is hefty and thick but still feels comfortable.

Flat Court Ring

The flat-court ring has an inner curved border for comfort and resembles a flat shape. You won’t have any trouble wearing it because it still has the conventional flat profile on the finger.

Wedding ring styles

Although traditional wedding rings are basic, there are many other types of wedding rings available nowadays. Pattern wedding bands frequently have engravings or a millgrain edge, which is a tiny beaded pattern. A centre groove around the ring is a common design for men’s wedding bands.

A diamond cut effect is a popular wedding ring design for ladies. These rings are sometimes referred to as sparkle-cut wedding rings since this design gives a wedding ring a gorgeous sparkly effect.

Diamond-set wedding rings offer an advantage over plain bands, which may lose some of their lustre over time. You should select a stylish ring with a row of closely spaced diamonds. Or, if you’d want just a hint of glitter, choose a wedding band set with a few diamonds.

There are also several men’s diamond-set wedding bands with masculine designs. If you prefer the idea of adding a splash of colour to your wedding band, we advise selecting a ring set with a semi-precious gem. Emerald, ruby and sapphire are tougher stones which are appropriate for everyday wear.

Avatar photo

About Author /

Emma is the editorial director and has been with the brand since 2021. She is is a writer and editor with over 5 years of experience covering Weddings, Fashion and beauty.

Start typing and press Enter to search