Your Cart is Empty
Bridesmaid Jewelry: Buying Guide for 2021
Blush and Bar
What's Your Ring Style? Take The Quiz
A wedding is an exciting event, but sometimes planning it can seem anything but.
There’s so much work, and you must manage dozens of different steps to make sure everything goes smoothly on the big day.
One of those steps? Finding the perfect jewelry for your bridesmaids.
But not to worry—in this guide, you’ll learn the basics you need to know. Then you can be creative with the rest.
Let’s get started!
Should you have matching jewelry?
We’ll start with a question that might seem obvious—should you have matching bridesmaid jewelry?
The traditional answer is, of course, yes. At most weddings, the whole wedding party has a matching look that includes identical pieces of jewelry.
But recently, there’s been a more modern shift towards pieces that complement each other without matching perfectly.
Source: Arlindo Gomes from Pexels
This flexibility allows each bridesmaid to choose a piece that fits her style, beliefs, and body type.
You know your bridesmaids best, and you have a dream of exactly how you want your big day to go.
Either way, it’s up to you to decide.
How to choose bridal party jewelry
When it comes to finding just the right pieces, there’s often too much to think about.
Do you want fine jewelry (expensive but lasts a lifetime), fashion jewelry (affordable but fragile), or demi-fine jewelry (between the two)?
What pieces are must-haves?
Is it too much to have matching earrings, necklaces, and bracelets?
No fear. Here are the essential guidelines as you make your choices.
Coordinate the look
The most significant piece of advice—whether you’re going for identical sets or letting each bridesmaid choose their style—is to coordinate the look.
The most important part is to choose a particular kind of precious metal and gemstone.
The most common colors are yellow gold, rose gold, and silver (which includes white gold and platinum).
Source: Dewey gallery from Pexels
Colors you’ll find in precious gemstones include white and cream (diamonds and pearls), green (emeralds), red (rubies), and blue (sapphires).
You’ll also want to choose a jewelry style that fits the theme of your wedding. Options abound, from Victorian to Art Deco, minimalist to postmodern.
Pinterest is a great place to explore different styles if you haven’t already.
Choose jewelry that complements your wedding colors
You may want to select the perfect jewelry to go with your wedding colors.
Both yellow gold and silver are classic looks that go well with almost any hue. For a more modern choice, look to rose gold.
Diamonds and pearls are neutral gemstones that fit any color scheme. But you can also explore the endless number of semi-precious gemstones.
These come in all colors and shades, like amethyst (purple), morganite (pink-orange), topaz (blue or green), and almost any other shade you can imagine.
Find a price range that’s durable and doable
Most brides choose the outfits and accessories and let the bridesmaids do the purchasing themselves.
When you’re deciding on the perfect jewelry, keep your bridesmaids’ budgets in mind.
A new dress, pair of shoes, and accessories can be taxing on anyone’s budget—not to mention expensive jewelry.
If you want the look and feel of fine jewelry without the steep price tag, one option is to look at demi-fine pieces like gold vermeil.
Gold vermeil is sterling silver with a coating of gold. It’s the same material used in Olympic gold medals and some of England’s crown jewels.
Jewelry for bridesmaid gifts
We’ve spent most of this article so far talking about jewelry to wear on the wedding day.
But many brides are also looking for jewelry gifts. Bridesmaids aren’t meant to wear these pieces during the ceremony but rather after the wedding to remember the celebration itself.
Your bridesmaids are working hard.
They’ve prepared to make your event special, they’ve set aside a few days to celebrate with you, and they’ve spent money to look the part.
Jewelry is a simple way to show your appreciation.
A bracelet, necklace, or set of earrings is an excellent gift for a few reasons.
First, it’s something your bridesmaids will wear. As cute as Instagram-ready party favors are, they’ll most likely end up on a shelf collecting dust.
Source: Kayla Renee from Pexels
But your bridesmaids will wear dainty, elegant jewelry every week. (If not every day!)
Second, jewelry is durable. It will last for years to come—far longer than most of the gift ideas you’ll find on Pinterest.
And finally, jewelry is symbolic. Just like you’ll exchange rings with your partner during the ceremony, giving jewelry has always carried a special meaning.
The piece you give your bridesmaids will remind them of your friendship.
How to select pieces
Enough philosophy and planning. Let’s see what you should look for in selecting jewelry for your bridesmaids.
Earrings
Depending on the wedding style you want, earrings can be a simple accent or the perfect way to make a statement.
If you’re looking for something classic that goes with any palette, pearl or diamond stud or drop earrings are a perfect match.
For something with more pizzazz, there are endless options. Statement earrings draw the eyes to the face, which puts your bridesmaids (and not, say, their dresses or bouquets) at the forefront.
Source: Maria Lindsey Multimedia Creator from Pexels
Some women are allergic to metals like nickel or copper. Choose a hypoallergenic metal instead—like gold, silver, or platinum.
Rings
Think carefully before buying rings for your bridesmaids. Why?
The most obvious reason is that you should be drawing attention to your ring! Matching rings in the whole wedding party can be distracting.
That said, there is undoubtedly a time and place for an accent ring, especially if it holds special significance to you and your bridesmaids.
It’s a good idea to look for something dainty and delicate, like the Sasha Sparkle Ring.
Whatever you do, don’t buy a piece that’s a close match to your engagement or wedding ring!
Bracelets
When it comes to bridesmaid bracelets, a minimalist look is best. A decorative piece draws attention to the hands, which usually isn’t where you want the focus on the wedding day.
Some simple options include a few plain bangles or a simple chain. It’s also best to only buy a bracelet for one hand, not both.
Necklaces
Like earrings, bridesmaid necklaces can be an opportunity for dainty touches or bold styles.
For dainty choices, you can look for a lightweight gold or silver chain. A subtle pendant, such as a single stone inspired by your wedding colors, can be a great accent.
Bib necklaces can be an attention-drawing option for a statement piece. Look for jewelry pieces with design, style, and colors that match your ceremony’s look and feel.
And if you’re going with a bold necklace, be sure to give it the attention it deserves by using tame accessories. Don’t let every part of the outfit compete for attention!
Conclusion
Every wedding is different because every bride is different.
The jewelry you want to share with your bridesmaids is a deeply personal choice, and only you can decide what’s right.
That said, there are a handful of guidelines for the best pieces to complement your ceremony, style, and dream.
What kind of jewelry do you want at your wedding?
