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

Stock image of a man’s hands in handcuffs
CrimeMay 08, 2025
Former NYC Jewelry Store Employee Arrested in 2017 Choking Death of Boss

Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.

instappraise-1.png
Supplier BulletinMay 08, 2025
Instappraise Introduces Game-Changing Trifold Appraisal Format

Sponsored by Instappraise

Brilliant Earth three stone Sabine diamond engagement ring
FinancialsMay 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth Notes an Uptick in Engagement Ring Sales in Q1

CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.

antique_Vegas_2024_by_headshot_stories_9454.jpg
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the Globe

Gain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.

Exterior of Margot McKinney Beverly Hills Location
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Margot McKinney Lands in the U.S. With New Boutique

The brand’s first independent location outside of Australia has opened in Beverly Hills, California.

Weekly QuizMay 08, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Cathy Marsh
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Verragio Announces New Regional Sales Manager

Cathy Marsh will lead the jewelry company’s efforts in the upper Midwest and western United States.

Pandora gold and silver charm bracelet
FinancialsMay 07, 2025
Pandora Posts Strong Q1, Plans for Tariffs

The company has multiple strategies for dealing with tariffs, though its CEO said moving manufacturing to the U.S. is not one of them.

Supplier Spotlight -Recorded-Webinar.png
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest Addition

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

Headshot of Smart Age Solutions CEO Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsMay 07, 2025
The Smart Lab: Building a Seasonal Marketing Strategy for Mother’s Day and Beyond

Connecting with your customers throughout the year is key to a successful holiday marketing push.

Gemfields rough emeralds
SourcingMay 07, 2025
Gemfields Says Emerald Sales Improved in Latest Auction

Its commercial-quality emerald sale held last month totaled more than $16 million, up from about $11 million in September 2024.

Logo for “In the Loupe,” Punchmark’s podcast
TechnologyMay 07, 2025
Punchmark’s Latest Podcast Features a Very Special Guest

National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff joined Michael Burpoe to talk tariffs, consumer confidence, and the sky-high price of gold.

Harwell Godfrey Met Gala brooch with Mediterranean Blue diamond
AuctionsMay 06, 2025
Harwell Godfrey Reimagines 10-Carat Blue Diamond for Met Gala-Ready Brooch

Designer Lauren Harwell Godfrey made the piece as an homage to the 2025 gala’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”

Jewelers of America 20 Under 40 for 2025
Events & AwardsMay 06, 2025
Here’s Who Made Jewelers of America’s New ‘20 Under 40’ List

Expanded this year to include suppliers, JA’s 2025 list honors 40 up-and-coming professionals in the jewelry industry.

Sissys Log Cabin Fort Smith Arkansas
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens New Store

Located in Fort Smith, it’s the Mid-South jeweler’s first store in Northwest Arkansas.

Gunderson’s Jewelers
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Gunderson’s Jewelers to Be Featured on ‘World’s Greatest’ TV Series

The episode about the family-owned jeweler will premiere May 17.

Zadok Jewelers Austin store
IndependentsMay 05, 2025
Zadok Jewelers Opens Store in Austin

The Houston-based jeweler’s new 11,000-square-foot showroom will include a Rolex boutique.

Nancy Astor Cartier turquoise and diamond tiara
AuctionsMay 05, 2025
Nancy Astor’s Cartier Tiara Heads to Auction

The turquoise and diamond tiara hasn’t been on the market since it was purchased by Lord Astor in 1930.

David DeCook Crater of Diamonds State Park 3.81-carat brown Duke Diamond
SourcingMay 05, 2025
Crater of Diamonds Yields 4-Carat Brown Diamond

“The Duke Diamond” is the largest diamond registered at the Arkansas park so far this year.

Kraft Mac & Cheese x Ring Concierge Forever Macaroni Necklace
TrendsMay 02, 2025
Ring Concierge, Kraft Partner on Mother’s Day Macaroni Necklace

The childhood craft of making dried pasta necklaces for Mother’s Day is all grown up as the 14-karat gold “Forever Macaroni” necklace.

Angely Martinez emerald Promise ring
CollectionsMay 02, 2025
Piece of the Week: Angely Martinez’s Emerald Promise Ring

Set with May’s birthstone and featuring an earthworm, this ring is a perfect celebration of spring.

Stuller 2025-2026 bridal catalog
MajorsMay 02, 2025
Stuller’s New Bridal Catalog Is Here

“Bridal 2025–2026” includes popular styles and a dedicated section for quick pricing references of lab-grown diamond bridal jewelry.

Americut Gems
SourcingMay 01, 2025
Tariffs & Colored Gemstones: Relying on Stock, Considering the Ripple Effect

Though currently paused, high tariffs threaten many countries where gemstones are mined. Dealers are taking measures now to prepare.

Exterior of new David Yurman store in the Miami Design District
MajorsMay 01, 2025
Peek Inside David Yurman’s New Miami Flagship Store

Located in Miami’s Design District, the 4,000-square-foot store is an homage to David and Sybil Yurman’s artistic roots.

Oscar Heyman emerald and diamond necklace
TrendsMay 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: 20 Pieces of Emerald Jewelry for May

May babies are lucky indeed, born in a month awash with fresh colors and celebrated with one of the most coveted colored gemstones.

Jewelers of America logo
MajorsMay 01, 2025
Jewelers of America Opens Applications for 2025 Scholarships

The deadline to apply for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship is June 12.

Stock image of an empty clothing store
SurveysApr 30, 2025
Consumer Confidence Hits Pandemic-Level Low Amid Tariff Concerns

What’s really worrying U.S. consumers isn’t the present situation; it’s what the economy is going to look like six months from now.

2025 Instore Jewelry Show Graphic
Events & AwardsApr 30, 2025
Instore Show Debuts New Name, Look, and Focus

Now called The Instore Jewelry Show, it will include holiday-focused education, interactive workshops, and a window display contest.

×

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