Pearls have been among the most popular gemstones for bridal jewelry for centuries, worn in strands, earrings, accessories or to embellish the bridal dress.
But when did this tradition originate and what’s the reasoning behind it?
Here’s what we know…
Pearls are among the oldest gemstones, going back thousands of years. In fact, the oldest pearl found in the United Arab Emirates is over 7,500 years. They were prized since ancient times, because of their beautiful color and unique luster, unlike anything else on earth. Over time, pearls began to symbolize wealth, prestige and romance.
- For the ancient Romans, pearls were a symbol of power, authority and status. Only those who ‘deserved’ it were allowed to wear pearls.
- To the ancient Chinese, pearls were worn by the nobility and royalty, as a sign of their authority and power. They were often gifted to kings and queens.
- To ancient Greeks, pearls were connected to passion, love and marriage, believing that they would strengthen marital bonds, prevent brides from shedding tears and enhance relationships.
- In the West, pearls were worn as amulets as they were seen as magical stones that could ward of evil.
These various associations placed pearls in a special league, as the perfect gemstone for bridal attire. During the Victorian Era, pearls as bridal jewelry became the in thing and that has continued to the present day.
But let’s back track a little.
Today pearls are abundantly found and easily accessible to all thanks to the process of culturing pearls.
But back in those days, before the advent of pearl farming, the only way to get your hands on a pearl was by diving into the sea to find them from oysters. This was difficult and expensive, and pearls were very rare, the domain of only the rich upper-class.
Even though pearls are abundant on the market today, they still retain that aura of sophistication, prestige and elegance that they’ve acquired over time. They’re still a favorite of royals in general and of brides all over the world, worn on special occasions.
So, back to pearls and weddings.
The meanings and symbolism associated with pearls make them great options for wedding. These include representing purity, innocence, love and fidelity. Their associations with keeping tears at bay as well as promoting strong marital bonds make them even more meaningful as bridal jewelry.
Another more practical reason is that pearls perfectly complement the traditional white wedding dress. They can be worn as jewelry or even added to the dress and veil, but the end result is that bridal gowns perfectly match pearls, with no jarring contrast to take your eye away from the overall beauty of the bride.
Pearls can also be very attractive to brides because of their emotional value especially if the piece is an heirloom or given to them by their fiancé, the mother of the bride or the mother in law. Such pieces are ideal for the ‘something old’, ‘something new’ or ‘something borrowed’ part of the famous wedding rhyme.
It’s not all rosy though…
One superstition says that pearls bring bad luck and wearing them on your wedding day will bring sorrow to your marriage. We’ve covered that in detail in this article on pearls and luck so we won’t repeat ourselves here. Personally, we think that’s all hogwash and there’s no merit whatsoever to this old tale.
Types of Pearl Bridal Jewelry
When choosing your pearl jewelry, consider two main things – the type of dress you’re wearing and your personal jewelry style. But the most important thing to remember is that the focus should be on you, the bride, on your wedding day.
If everyone’s staring at your giant Tahitian pearl necklace, instead of looking at you, maybe the necklace is defeating its purpose. Here are some general guidelines to get you thinking, but remember that unlike in the past, there are no strict fashion rules.
- If you’re someone who doesn’t normally wear jewelry, weighing yourself down on your wedding day with large statement pieces might feel uncomfortable and unnatural. Pick pearl pieces that you’ll feel comfortable wearing.
- It’s often a good idea to pick one focal piece of pearl jewelry and to minimize the rest. If you’re wearing large, chandelier earrings, then skip the statement necklace.
- If you’re dress is heavily embellished, then avoiding large pearl jewelry and keeping the focus on the dress might be the best way to go.
- For a minimalist look, choose pearl studs or strands of smaller pearls, like Akoya. For a statement style, large pearls like South Sea pearls in earrings, pendants or strands are sure to take center stage.
- If you’d rather not be wearing pearls in your jewelry but still want pearls on your wedding day, you can always include pearls into your accessories. Pearls can work as buttons for your dress, as a border for your veil if you’re wearing one, or to stud the bodice of your gown. Include them in your headpiece or among the flowers for your hair. The options are endless if you decide to go this route.
- For a contemporary, unexpected look, you can incorporate dark Tahitian pearls. This contrasts sharply with the white of the dress but can bring a nice touch of balance to your overall look.
- Consider pairing your pearls with diamonds, another favorite wedding jewelry gemstone. For example, instead of wearing simple pearl studs, find ones that have a diamond halo. This adds glamor, brilliance and sparkle to the studs.
Pearls are timeless, classic and will always be in fashion. They’ve become a staple in the jewelry industry and a classic for brides.
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