Ok, so many of you have not met me in person yet, but you’re starting to pick up on my style and flair for life. Since you’ve been reading, you know I am a sucker for beautiful things, and jewelry is no exception. It is probably the sweetest thing on your wedding day. Be it your engagement ring, wedding band, earrings or any other accessory you’ve added to sparkle on your day, I © (heart) jewelry. J So I was overjoyed to find a fabulous article from my friend Saman, at Inspirational Laddu. Of course, being visually stimulated myself, I went on a hunt for stunning jewelry to show you along with her tips on selecting the perfect bridal collection. While Saman’s focus is helping South Asian brides, her tips are cross cultural!

1. Decide What You Can Afford

It always helps to fix the budget in advance. The amount you pay for a piece of jewelry will include two factors. The first is the price of the actual gold and gems and the second is the making; design and the craftsmanship. Reputable stores and jewelers will always offer a buy-back guarantee, which you should insist on.

2. First Things First

It’s important to get your jewelry shopping out of the way before anything else. It’s a pretty straightforward concept that its easier to get your outfit made to complement your jewelry rather than the other way round. (I’d pick a ready-made jewelry design any day, over a ready-made wedding outfit).  In fact most designers prefer to take a look at your jewelry before they start work on your clothes.

3. Do Your Homework

Before buying your jewelry set/s make sure to go through the leading fashion and wedding magazines and websites, as well as your friends’ and relatives’ wedding pictures so that you have an idea of what’s out there and what you’re partial to. Jewelry pieces and styles often look very different in displays than they do worn on people. Pick out your favorite styles by pulling out pages, photocopying or taking print outs from websites so that you’re certain of your likes and dislikes.

4. Find a Trusted Jeweler

With the central role that jewelry playing in the lives of desi women, chances are that your mother, grandmother or aunt will already have a reliable jeweler that they have been going to for years. In that case, stick with him (your mom probably knows best). If, however, you don’t have such resources at hand, I would suggest going for a known jeweler with an excellent, long-standing reputation. The value of jewelry, especially gold and stones is something that can only be identified by a trusted expert. With all the money you’re going to be spending on your wedding, the last thing you want is to end up buying jewelry that’s not worth what you spent on it.

It may be fashionable to buy your jewelry from hip, new “designers”, however, just because a designer tells you a piece is 18K gold and the diamonds are top quality, doesn’t necessarily mean they are. Less scrupulous sellers may put a high karat mark on a low-karat piece; a practice called under-karating. ALWAYS get your jewelry appraised to make sure you’re getting what you paid for.

5. Select the Design

The decision between traditional and modern designs can be a tough one. Many brides get the best of both worlds by going for something traditional on their shaadi and something modern on their valima. Either way, choose designs that are elegant and timeless. Contemporary designs can be beautiful, but its no good if ‘contemporary’ means fashionable only till next summer.

All women want to wear unique jewelry, especially on their wedding day. Many jewelry stores guarantee the exclusivity of their designs, which is something you should be aware about before you make the purchase. There is no harm is asking women whose style you admire for their recommendations. Recent brides who have been through the process will be able to refer you to reliable jewelers and stylish designs.

6. Love Your Set

It may be tempting to go all out and buy the biggest, flashiest set because it’s your wedding jewelry after all. But let’s be practical here, you don’t want to spend all that money and then have your jewelry sitting pretty in a locker because its way too huge and flamboyant to be appropriate for anything other than your own wedding. That’s not to say that you should only select subtle minute pieces, of course not. Just think of the jewelry beyond the context of just the wedding. You should love, love, LOVEE your wedding jewelry to the extent that you see yourself wearing it at other occasions for years to come; it is your wedding jewelry after all.

7. Mix and Match

South Asian brides get to wear multitude of different pieces of jewelry on their wedding; earrings, bangles, necklaces (yes multiple at times), a teeka, jhoomar, and even a nath. However, it’s important not to go overboard piling on too many pieces all at once; you want to look glamorous, not tacky. And remember not everything you wear has to be matched to perfection. Choose pieces that look extraordinary together but can also be worn separately and look fabulous. It isn’t essential for everything to match, just for all elements should work in harmony with your outfit and complement it. If you can see yourself wearing your wedding jewelry separately and at several different types of occasions then you have done a great job.

8. Vintage vs. Vogue

There’s not much I can say about wearing vintage jewelry. If you’re lucky enough to have your mother or grandmother’s jewelry then what better time to wear it than on your own wedding day. The emotional connection and feeling that comes from wearing pieces that are linked to your history can’t really be put into words, so I’m not even going to try. What I can talk about is your options in case your inherited jewels don’t match up to your tastes. One option is to mix up new and old pieces, to give them a more up-to-date look. Or if you aren’t particularly attached you other option, is to sell the pieces (to a trusted jeweler) in exchange for something more to your liking, that you will love and wear often.

One item Saman didn’t touch on with vintage jewelry is to repurpose your jewelry. If it was once your mother, his mother or grandmother’s heavy necklace, speak with your jeweler about refashioning. Have him take parts of the original piece and create a new one that fits your style and wardrobe. Create a new tikka or cuff bracelet! Using pieces of their jewelry will be more meaningful to you and still make them happy!

Sorry ladies, I did focus a little more on the South Asian jewelry as well, but many of these items could certainly be adapted by the bold and beautiful bride. And there are many equally beautiful designs that are simpler! Let me know how you’re selecting your jewelry and how your hunt for the perfect pieces goes!!!