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This Bride’s necklace was made using white pearls and red facetted carnelian gemstones. The Cranberry Lace Set pictured below is made from AA facetted red garnets and lustrous white pearls and all set, with sterling silver.

http://mybridaljewellery.com/showcase/sets/cranberry-lace-vo027-06-set/

Often weddings are styled to a particular theme such as Country, Tropical or Fairy Tale etc. To really make this work the wedding jewellery should be chosen or made to match. Having an unusual engagement ring might be just the ticket.

This can have several advantages.

The first is cost. Breaking away from tradition means no longer being dependent on using gold and diamonds. Unusual engagement rings can be made from silver, pearls and precious or semi precious stones. This can add up to substantial savings. It also means more money available to spend in other areas.

The second reason is that it creates a fantastic story. Unusual engagement rings get noticed. Imagine being stuck in a group of people with nothing in common. Maybe someone comments on your ring. Suddenly you have the perfect opportunity to launch into your wedding tale and how you came to own such an interesting piece of bling.

Another reason is that a unique wedding ring is the ultimate fashion statement. It proclaims clearly that you are not a conformist. You know what you like and are not afraid to show it. Naturally you would still want it to blend with the rest of what you’re wearing. And by choosing well you demonstrate a confidence that stands out from someone who slavishly follows tradition.

So what could be considered an unusual engagement ring?

Clusters of pearls set in 92.5 sterling silver are certainly different. Or perhaps a single large Mabe. A well crafted setting and quality silver still gives it the value as befits an engagement present. The great thing is pearls come in a variety of colours so they can be matched with any type of theme or occasion. From white to crème, pink, mauve, green or black – and many shades in between, there’s a pearl for you.

For a wedding you’d probably go for lighter hues. But let your imagination and the wedding concept invite what’s possible. Once you deviate from the norm there really is no right or wrong.

The secret to getting away with unusual engagement rings is matching them with complimentary jewellery. That way they don’t look out of place. By way of example, if you wore a white Mabe engagement ring, then some white pearl drop earrings would make your choices seem deliberate rather than simply strange.

And even though nowadays it’s acceptable to wear unusual engagement rings you should still shop for quality. Doing so means your wedding jewellery can be incorporated into your everyday personal style, long after the event is over.

[br] Post Photo c/o Aaron Delesie

When it’s time to get married, you’ll have lots of things on your mind. On top of the wedding itself, there are  decisions to make about wedding jewellery. The engagement ring, for instance, is the first that springs to mind. Saving for that is a big deal, so you want to make sure you pick the right one. You’ll also have to think about a wedding band, but that’s a secondary consideration.

Finding a perfect diamond ring is all about the right fit. Not literally, but more in how the item fits your needs. Diamonds are expensive, but they can vary in price depending upon size, cut, clarity, and a ton of other factors. But first you have to know what your budget is. The best engagement rings start typically anywhere from $2,000 to $30,000. You can buy bigger, more expensive rings – maybe for the “high rollers”. A good rule of thumb is to save one to three months’ worth of pay.

Once you figure out how much you’ll spend, you should think about the kind of cut your intended bride would like. Be subtle. You can find this out without revealing that you’re going to propose. Casually ask if she likes a Round cut, an Emerald cut, or maybe the Princess cut. Options are virtually endless, so you need to really understand what appeals to her. Diamond rings might be pricey and they’re not all created equally. Some looks are more suited to different women, depending upon their taste.

Clarity is also important. Many like to judge diamond rings based on their price or size, but clarity reveals the true value. The best engagement rings will really shine when the light hits them. Sometimes people settle for more opaque rings that cost less. This might help the budget, but it won’t give you the best looking engagement gift. Make sure you ask and find out the grade of diamond clarity. Jewellers must provide this information, so make sure you take advantage of it.

Shopping for wedding rings is fun, so don’t stress over it. Just figure out how much you’re willing to spend without worrying about what you can afford. There are great rings for much less than you think. Remember to do your research and above all else, make sure the ring will fit your unsuspecting bride. If you’re ‘meant to be’ she’ll love it regardless of the amount you spend on it.

You’ll both be looking at this memento for years to come. It’ll be a constant reminder of a unique time in your lives. Having the best engagement ring you could find would be better than an average looking one. Wouldn’t it?

With so many jewellery choices today, finding nice necklaces for women can be a challenge. Need a gift for upcoming birthday, Christmas, wedding or something special for a loved one? I’ve put together this guide to make selecting necklaces for women as simple as possible.

3 Steps To Choosing The Ideal Necklace …

[dropcap1]1[/dropcap1] How much should I spend?

Deciding how much to spend can be as hard as choosing the actual gift itself. Necklaces for women are made from all kinds of materials. They come in cheap plastic beads to classy pearls and expensive diamonds.

The amount you spend depends very much on the importance of the occasion and how “close” you are to the recipient. It’s wise to factor in your budget too.

Your best friend wouldn’t expect you to go into financial hardship for her birthday. At the same time, she’d probably be thrilled to know you stretched a bit for her wedding.

Remember also that a gift well received brings as much pleasure to the giver as to the receiver. Spend a tiny bit more than you think you can afford and you can’t go wrong.

[dropcap1]2[/dropcap1] What do they like?

If you’ve known the person a long time then this decision will be easier. Necklaces for women come in all shapes and sizes and the styles people like are infinite.

But what should you do when you don’t know their personal preferences? Try phoning a mutual friend or acquaintance. People love to help. By helping guide you they also get to share in the “gift of giving”.

But maybe you have no way to squirrel out this information. In that case make a best guess based on her skin tone, hair color, and/or clothes she wears. A decision based on color theory will make it easier to explain why you chose that gift.

Even if it’s something she ordinarily wouldn’t choose for herself she’ll still respect the gift if the reasons are valid. That way she might even discover a new style and thank you for introducing her to it.

[dropcap1]3[/dropcap1] What is it made of?

Some materials can cause allergic reactions to people with sensitive skin. Wearing alloys for example is a potential health risk that is well documented.

Synthetic materials like plastic may not be as irritant but the long-term effects of wearing them is unknown. Plastics exude carcinogenic chemicals when heated to high temperatures. And even though body temperature is not considered high, it may be enough to activate the release of low level toxins into the skin.

Necklaces for women made from natural materials are best. Our bodies have evolved to live in harmony with our natural surroundings over millions of years. The modern living lifestyle means we’re less able to cope. Witness the skyrocketing rates of cancer caused by processed (plastic) food and sedentary living.

Look for precious gems, pearls, silver and gold. They are timelessly elegant and won’t ever cause health problems. These all come in various grades so finding necklaces for women need not be expensive. But every woman appreciates their value and values the thought behind the gift.

Jewellery is one accessory that a bride can’t do without. Whether in form of necklaces, earrings, brooches, bracelets or rings, beautiful bridal jewellery is the key to looking good on your wedding day. Bridal jewellery can be made from gemstones, precious metals or shells. But if it’s true class you want look no further than pearls.

Diamonds may be a “girl’s best friend” but bridal jewellery made from pearls will be remembered forever.

In a moment I’ll share why. But first, where did the tradition of wearing jewellery at weddings come about? Jewellery has been worn throughout history. It started simply as a way to decorate the body.

Bridal jewelry was first made from natural materials that were readily available. These included animal bone, teeth, beads, different kinds of shells, carved wood and stone. Of course that was years ago in less advanced societies. But nowadays we still see brides in primitive cultures going to great lengths to adorn themselves with the finest they can afford. Feathers, bone, colorful cloth and so on.

It would seem the wedding ceremony is an occasion to be revered for every woman – regardless of race, creed or nationality. And having the right bridal jewellery can make all the difference.

Jewellery has also always been a means of displaying wealth. So for a bride, the wearing of lovely jewels equates to status. Who wouldn’t want to feel as rich as a king or queen on their wedding day? The fact that bridal jewellery can also have a practical utility is of secondary importance.

Yet it may be necessary to pin a garment together or keep the hair in place. If the implements that do these jobs look gorgeous too then so much the better. In the wedding photos every little detail is frozen in time forever. Choosing pretty jewellery for these functional tasks will make the occasion picture perfect.

What makes the best bridal jewellery?

For the most part it’s a matter of taste. But here are some additional things to consider.

Fortunately finding the best bridal jewellery has never been easier.