While the diamond remains a favorite icon for love, some non-traditional
gemstones have become a popular
choice in bridal jewelry. Such gems as sapphire,
tanzanite, ruby and garnet are showing up as
the main stone or accents to a center diamond
in engagement rings, says the Dallas-based
American Gem Trade Association (AGTA).
They're also prevalent in wedding rings,
particularly channel-set bands in single and
multiple rows of alternating colored stones
and diamonds (part-way-round or eternity
style), especially with sapphire and ruby. Be it
for their color or properties, gemstones have
historically symbolized such sentiments as
love, passion, truth, friendship, commitment
and fidelity. Sapphire, a particular favorite of
brides, represents innocence and truth and was
thought to bring peace, joy, wisdom and
prosperity to its owner.
More than 2.4 million couples are
expected to wed in the United States this year.
Typically, they're older than they were a decade
ago, she's 26 and he's 28; they have a
combined income of more than $70,000; and
they'll spend $19,000 on average for their
wedding. They're also different in attitude,
searching for distinctive ways of expressing
sentiment, individuality and personal
connections in life.
Some styles seen recently combined tsavorite
garnet, tanzanite and blue and fancy
color sapphires with diamonds in white metal
or two-tone designs. Leading manufacturers
are also featuring colored stones and
diamonds in their bridal lines, a trend that has
been gaining in momentum since Prince
Charles gave Princess Diana a sapphire
engagement ring more than two decades ago.
Former Beatles star Paul McCartney proposed
to model-turned-activist Heather Mills with a
sapphire and diamond engagement ring.
According to Douglas Hucker, AGTA
executive director, colored gemstone
engagement and wedding rings are often the
choice for contemporary couples with more
sophisticated tastes, who marry later in life or are remarrying.
"Gems help personalize
a piece, reflecting a
birthstone, favorite color,
or attribute," Hucker
says. "They are found in a
variety of price points and in every color
rainbow with no two alike, giving bridal consumers
endless options to express their
symbolism and style."
But bridal jewelry is not limited
engagement and wedding rings. During
engagement, brides-to-be will buy fine
up to nine times more than the
consumer-for parties and showers,
wedding day, and for her bridesmaids.
Victorian-style gem carved cameos; gem-
earrings and pendants to match color schemes
or birthstones; and cultured pearls of all
are the choice of today's brides for themselves
and their bridal party.
And, don't forget the men
involved in the big day. Gem-set tie
tacks, shirt studs, and cuff links,
especially in black onyx, mother-ofpearl
and carnelian, as well as gems
in red, white and blue color schemes
are popular with grooms, their ushers
and dads these days.
The pearl, a favorite accessory of
brides and bridesmaids, has been
closely associated to love and marriage
since ancient times. The
Romans believed pearls could promote
marital bliss, often depicting the
bond between Cupid and Psyche as a
strand of pearls. Today's bride has a
litany of options from Chinese freshwater
and Japanese Akoya to Tahitian
black and South Sea white and golden
culture pearls.
Don't forget the men involved in the big day. Gem-set tie tacks, shirt studs, and cuff
links, especially in black onyx, mother-of-pearl and carnelian, as well as gems in red, white
and blue color schemes are popular with grooms, their ushers and dads these days.
