Editors

The Modern Bride’s Approach to Wedding-Day Jewelry

EditorsOct 23, 2024

The Modern Bride’s Approach to Wedding-Day Jewelry

Editor Lauren McLemore immersed herself in New York Bridal Fashion Week to better understand the role fine jewelry plays on the big day.

Pnina Tornai New York Bridal Fashion Week
Pnina Tornai showcased her 2025 Bridal Collection “Aura” during New York Bridal Fashion Week.
As National Jeweler’s resident bride-to-be, I enthusiastically accepted when the idea came up for me to attend New York Bridal Fashion Week, held Oct. 8-10.

In the jewelry industry, we’re attuned to engagement ring trends, but the wider world of wedding style is a whole other universe. 

From runway shows to store openings, I spent that week immersed in all things bridal fashion, exploring trends in dresses and thinking about how jewelry fits into it all. 

Strapless gowns, along with other elegant open necklines, were popular. For jewelry, it’s an open invitation for shorter pendant necklaces, collars, or chokers.  

I also saw bold, structured silhouettes as well as several ball gowns, and a number of dresses featuring a basque waist, a style that extends past the waistline with angled seams that form a triangular or curved shape at the lower front of the bodice, as seen in the “Rhiannon” dress below. 


There is a sense of regal drama in this season’s wedding dress collections.

The vintage touch was undeniable, with several gowns featuring Renaissance and Victorian accents like frills, bows and corsets, which lines up with the uptick in Pinterest searches for a wedding aesthetic reminiscent of bygone eras. 
 

On one hand, one might choose to let these grand dresses be the star of the ensemble, opting for understated jewelry to keep the attention on the gown, like in the examples above.

However, vintage-style bridalwear also poses a fun, and rare, opportunity to go big with ornate jewelry. 

Beyond a dramatic fur coat or other statement piece, there are few opportunities for the elevated jewels of the past to be styled to their full potential.

Material-wise, the dresses I saw at New York Bridal Fashion Week featured an abundance of textures, including lace and floral appliques as well as tulle.

Jovani, Justin Alexander Signature and Pnina Tornai wedding dresses
At New York Bridal Fashion Week, florals showed up on gowns in the form of lace, applique, macramé, and beaded styles. Examples shown above are (from left) by Jovani, Justin Alexander Signature, and Pnina Tornai


While some trends transcend collections, each brand’s designs retain its own collective identity. 

Some bridal designers have taken to offering a jewelry component of their own, specifically designed to complement their creations.

At the Pnina Tornai show, the designer’s newest collection with Jared, the jewelry retailer she’s partnered with on bridal jewelry collections in the past few years, was on display. 

At her presentation, wedding dress designer Claire Pettibone debuted a jewelry collection, set to launch next month. 

 


The “Secret Garden Jewels,” a collection of heirloom-style rings, is a collaboration with Michigan-based The North Way Studio, created to complement Pettibone’s vintage-style bridalwear.

The Dress Comes First
Between events, I talked with two bridal stylists—Gabrielle Hurwitz, who is based in New York City, and Houston-based Caroline Thorpe Goldberg.

Hurwitz is a self-described luxury bridal fashion stylist who curates all things wedding-day fashion, while Goldberg offers private bridal styling and curates shoppable looks on her platform Little White Looks.

Both say their client base is a mix of career-focused women from bigger cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, and the South.

In their work, the dress almost always comes first, they agreed.

“Certain dresses call for necklaces, certain dresses would look weird with a necklace and better with an earring of some sort, so I’m prompting that conversation, but I do have clients who come to me with an heirloom piece,” said Hurwitz.

“We can work to build to the look around a piece of jewelry.”

Goldberg said she’s noticed a trend in the South (Texas in particular) in which brides receive a tennis bracelet as a pre-wedding gift.

In some cases, the bridesmaids each contribute to buy the piece together, and in others, the bride’s fiancé makes the purchase.

Hurwitz cited an example of one bride who was marrying into an Indian family and received a diamond necklace from her mother-in-law to wear on her wedding day, as is customary. 

She wanted to incorporate it into both her Western ceremony and her Indian ceremony, so they shopped for her wedding attire with the necklace in mind.

Jewelry Rental Services Are Big 
While it’s not uncommon for today’s brides to incorporate pieces they were gifted or jewels that were passed down into their wedding day look, many seem to be thinking less about “heirloom potential” when considering their own jewelry for the big day.

They’re leaning instead toward borrowing or renting jewels to enjoy just for the celebrations.

Popular rental services like Verstolo were praised on repeat throughout New York Bridal Fashion Week for making this process easy.

With its concierge service for New York City clients, Verstolo will send a consultant to meet the bride at one of her dress fittings with pieces she selected at an earlier Verstolo showroom appointment.

Most brides who opt to rent are looking to borrow more dramatic or unique pieces—perhaps a piece in the vibrant shade of Verona Sunset, Brides x Minted’s Color of the Year for 2025—that they likely would not wear again.

Valuable, Wearable Classics
When it comes to the pieces of fine jewelry brides are willing to spend on, it’s usually the classics, like a pair of diamonds studs, a pearl piece, or a tennis necklace that is versatile enough for everyday wear.

“They don’t want it to just sit in a safe and never be enjoyed,” Hurwitz said. “They’d rather spend the money on a piece they’ll wear every single day and borrow or rent the more statement piece for the wedding.”

Some jewelry designers and brands create lines for brides but, as the category typically hinges on simple pieces, these dedicated collections often feature creative takes on the classics, blending everyday style and sentimental design.

Nancy Newberg released a bridal line last year inspired by jewelry she designed for her son’s fiancée to wear at their wedding. 

It has all the ingredients of a classic jewelry line, featuring tennis necklaces, tennis bracelets, and eternity rings, modernized by bezel-set mixed-shape diamonds. 

Personalization Still Reigns
In talking about new purchases, I'd be remiss not to mention the draw of new-to-you jewels.

For the bride who wants something of value that still matches her vintage-inspired aesthetic, there are countless opportunities for an investment in a one-of-a-kind antique or estate piece she can keep forever.

In 2023, Larkspur & Hawk released the vintage-inspired L&H Bride collection. While these pieces are made new, the brand offers a unique, sentimental customization option. 
 
The brand is known for its riviere necklaces, button earrings, and girandole earrings created using an antique technique wherein doublets composed of a quartz (or a similarly semi-translucent gemstone) are laid over colored foil and set in a metal backing.
 
For the L&H Bride collection, designer Emily Satloff replaced the foil with fabrics including an antique French ribbon, a tulle, and a silk satin.

Brides can customize these pieces by sending in a fabric that is meaningful to them, such as a piece of a family member’s wedding gown, for use in the piece. 

So, while rentals have their place and new purchases continue to hold their own (especially for the tried-and-true classic diamond pieces), a custom piece can bring a different kind of meaningfulness to wedding-day jewelry.

Custom work is widely available, including reworking an heirloom diamond into a new piece, adding initials or birthstones, or sitting down with a designer to create a symbolic piece from scratch.

Satloff will also work with brides to create a postnuptial piece, incorporating something from the bride’s own wedding day, like fabric from a gown, veil, or bouquet ribbon, perhaps inspiring the brides of today to reconsider the value in having jewelry worth passing down, starting with her own. 

 Related stories will be right here … 

The Latest

National Jeweler columnist Peter Smith
ColumnistsSep 05, 2025
Peter Smith: A Lasting Lesson From Maurice Tempelsman

Smith recalls a bit of wisdom the industry leader, who died last week, shared at a diamond conference years ago.

Jamie Turner Victoria Labradorite Necklace
CollectionsSep 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jamie Turner’s ‘Victoria’ Necklace

The “Victoria” necklace features a labradorite hugged by diamond accents in 18-karat yellow gold.

Stock image of the U.S. Supreme Court
Policies & IssuesSep 05, 2025
Trump Takes Tariffs Case to the Supreme Court

Two lower courts have moved to block the import taxes, which will remain in place as the legal battle continues.

japac-btyb.png
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key Issues

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

Patrick Mahomes Hublot campaign
WatchesSep 05, 2025
Patrick Mahomes Is the New Hublot Brand Ambassador

The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback shares Hublot’s dedication to pursuing greatness, the Swiss watchmaker said.

Weekly QuizSep 04, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
gia-edu main image.png
Supplier BulletinSep 04, 2025
A Brilliant Future Is Here

Sponsored by GIA

Lucara pink diamond
SourcingSep 04, 2025
Lucara Unveils Unusual 37-Carat Pink Diamond

The Type IIa stone, recovered from Botswana’s Karowe diamond mine last month, features unique coloration.

rio-article photo-diamond.jpg
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine Jewelry

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

A street in Carlsbad California
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2025
27 Can’t-Miss Converge Sessions, Events

From sunrise yoga to tariffs talks, these are some events to check out at the upcoming inaugural event.

Shot from Breitling new NFL campaign
WatchesSep 04, 2025
Breitling Takes Its NFL Game to the Next Level

Breitling is now the NFL’s official timepiece partner, a move that puts the brand in front of the millions of Americans who watch football.

NYC Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show Autumn 2025
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2025
The NYC Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show Returns in November

NYCJAOS is set for Nov. 21-23 in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood.

Fabergé x Gemfields Malaika Egg
SourcingSep 03, 2025
Gemfields Confirms Completion of Fabergé Sale

U.S.-based investment company SMG Capital LLC is the new owner of the luxury brand.

Claire’s storefront
MajorsSep 03, 2025
These Are the Nearly 300 Claire’s Stores Set to Close

A new court filing details the locations of the stores that will close, as well as the 830 that will remain open.

Stuller’s Tools, Equipment, & Metals and Findings & Metals Catalogs
MajorsSep 03, 2025
Stuller Releases 2 New Catalogs

The new catalogs are “Tools, Equipment, & Metals” and “Findings & Metals.”

Effy Jewelry Multicolor Sapphire Bangle
TrendsSep 03, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: A Perfect Birthstone

Sapphire’s variety of colors make it the perfect birthstone for September.

Woman with hands crossed wearing jewelry
FinancialsSep 02, 2025
Lab-Grown Diamonds, Lower-Priced Fashion Jewelry Drive Signet Jewelers’ Q2 Sales

The retailer has raised its guidance after seeing total sales increase 3 percent in the second quarter, beating expectations.

Jean-Christophe Bédos Birks
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Birks CEO Jean-Christophe Bédos Steps Down

Niccolò Rossi di Montelera, executive chairman of the board, was appointed as interim CEO.

Harry Winston Ginza Flagship Exterior, Interior
MajorsSep 02, 2025
Harry Winston Opens Its Largest Flagship in Japan

The three-floor space also features the jeweler’s largest VIP salon in Japan and offers an exclusive diamond pendant.

All Hours: Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry x Oak and Luna Campaign Imagery
CollectionsSep 02, 2025
Stephanie Gottlieb Debuts Silver Designs in ‘All Hours’ Collab

The collection is a collaboration between Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry and Oak and Luna, focusing on understated essentials.

Sothebys The Desert Rose orangy pink diamond collectors week
AuctionsAug 29, 2025
Sotheby’s UAE Sale to Feature 32-Carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink Diamond

The highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.

Calvin Klein watch and jewelry campaign
FinancialsAug 29, 2025
Movado’s Q2 Sales Rebound Despite Tariff Impact

CEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.

Mark Davis Bullseye Necklace
CollectionsAug 29, 2025
Piece of the Week: Mark Davis’ ‘Bullseye’ Necklace

The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.

Image #1_Resized.png
Supplier BulletinAug 28, 2025
Clientbook Is Helping Jewelers Turn Clienteling Challenges into Wins with Hands-On Training and Coaching

Sponsored by Clientbook

GIA’s new report for lab-grown diamonds
GradingAug 28, 2025
GIA’s New ‘Quality Assessment’ for Lab-Grown Diamonds Is Coming

It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.

Botswana President Duma Boko
SourcingAug 28, 2025
Botswana Declares Public Health Emergency Amid Diamond Sales Slump

President Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.

Afton Robertson-Kanne Borsheims
MajorsAug 28, 2025
Borsheims Names New Jewelry Buyer

Former Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.

Sissy’s Log Cabin Back to School and Bling
IndependentsAug 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin Donates School Supplies to Memphis Students

The jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy