Something Borrowed, Something Brilliant: A History of Bridal Jewellery
There's something wonderfully timeless about bridal jewellery. Whether it's a strand of lustrous pearls passed down through generations, or a pair of sparkling diamond earrings chosen especially for the big day, the jewellery a bride wears tells a story all of its own. It's personal, it's emotional and (let's be honest) it's one of the most exciting parts of the whole wedding planning process.
In our recent post on the tradition of Something Blue, we explored the beautiful customs and meanings woven into a bride's wedding day look. Today, we're going a little deeper - tracing the glittering thread of bridal jewellery history from ancient Egypt all the way through to the most coveted bridal jewellery trends of 2024 and 2025.
A Brief History of Bridal Jewellery
Brides have adorned themselves with jewellery for thousands of years. In ancient civilisations, jewellery wasn't just decorative, it was symbolic, spiritual, and social. Egyptian brides wore elaborate gold collars and beaded necklaces as signs of status and divine protection. Roman brides (and grooms!) donned rings of iron or gold to symbolise the binding of a legal contract. Throughout history, the jewellery a bride wore told the world something important about who she was.
The Victorian Era: Pearls, Sentiment, and Symbolism
Perhaps no period has shaped our idea of bridal jewellery quite like the Victorian era. Queen Victoria herself was a devoted lover of pearls, and her influence on bridal fashion was enormous. A pearl necklace became the quintessential wedding gift, symbolising purity, innocence, and the tears of joy shed on a wedding day. Pearl earrings, delicate brooches, and seed pearl tiaras were all the height of bridal elegance throughout the latter half of the 19th century.
Sentimental jewellery was also enormously popular during this period. Acrostic jewellery (where the first letter of each gemstone spelled out a word) was a charming way to wear your heart on your sleeve. A gift spelling out "DEAREST" or "REGARD" was considered the most romantic of bridal presents. Lockets, too, were beloved, often containing a portrait of a loved one.
The Edwardian Era: Diamonds Take Centre Stage
As the 20th century dawned, a new discovery changed bridal jewellery forever. The unearthing of significant diamond deposits in South Africa in the 1860s had, by the Edwardian era, made diamonds far more accessible. Suddenly, diamond jewellery wasn't solely the preserve of royalty and the outrageously wealthy. Fine filigree diamond necklaces, diamond drop earrings, and delicate diamond bracelets became the aspirational choice for the modern bride.
The Edwardian aesthetic was all about lightness and femininity; white gold and platinum settings allowed diamonds to appear as though they were floating on the skin, giving rise to the lacy, ethereal jewellery looks we still associate with early 20th century bridal style today.
Mid-Century Glamour: Bold and Beautiful
The 1940s, 50s, and 60s brought Hollywood glamour to the bridal world. Iconic actresses like Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn influenced brides everywhere. Pearl jewellery remained a staple, particularly the classic single-strand pearl necklace, while statement diamond earrings added a touch of screen siren sparkle. The post-war period was a time of optimism, and brides dressed accordingly: polished, poised, and radiantly put-together.
The 1980s and 90s: Maximalism and the Return to Romance
The 1980s dialled everything up - bigger hair, bigger dresses, bigger jewellery. Multi-strand pearl necklaces, chunky gold earrings, and pearl-encrusted headpieces were very much de rigueur. Princess Diana's iconic sapphire and diamond engagement ring captured the public imagination and brought coloured gemstones firmly into the bridal conversation.
By the 1990s, minimalism began its ascent. Brides gravitated toward simpler silhouettes and cleaner lines: a single diamond solitaire pendant, a pair of small diamond studs, or understated pearl drop earrings. The "less is more" philosophy that would define early 2000s bridal jewellery was well and truly underway.
What Brides Are Wearing Now: Bridal Jewellery Trends 2024–2025
Today's bridal jewellery landscape is wonderfully diverse. Modern brides are more confident than ever in mixing tradition with personal style, and the result is some truly beautiful bridal jewellery looks. Here are the key trends we're seeing right now:
Pearls: The Perennial Bride's Best Friend
Pearls are absolutely everywhere in bridal fashion right now and, honestly, we couldn't be happier about it. After a long stint as "something your grandmother might wear," pearls have been thoroughly reclaimed by a new generation of brides who appreciate their romantic, otherworldly beauty.
Pearl necklaces are appearing in every style imaginable: the classic single strand remains eternally chic, but we're also seeing baroque pearl necklaces with their wonderfully irregular shapes, layered pearl and gold chain combinations, and delicate choker-length pearl necklaces that feel fresh and modern. Pearl earrings are equally popular — from simple pearl studs that let a beautiful dress do the talking, to dramatic pearl drop earrings and elongated pearl chandelier styles that make a real statement.
The beauty of pearls is their soft, luminous glow — they catch the light differently to gemstones, giving skin a warm, flattering radiance that photographs absolutely beautifully.
Elegant and understated: a pearl slider necklace
Diamonds: Timeless, Brilliant, Unforgettable
Diamonds have been a bridal jewellery staple for over a century, and their reign shows absolutely no sign of ending. What's changed is how brides are wearing them. The current trend is for diamond jewellery that feels personal and considered, rather than simply "matching set" bridal jewellery.
Diamond earrings are one of the most sought-after bridal jewellery pieces right now. Whether you choose diamond stud earrings for a timeless, understated look, or diamond drop earrings for something with a little more drama, they add an undeniable brightness and sparkle to any bridal look. Diamond necklaces — from a simple diamond solitaire pendant to a more elaborate diamond cluster necklace — are another enduring favourite, adding a focal point of brilliance at the neckline.
And then there's the diamond tennis bracelet. Once exclusively associated with red carpets and celebrity events, the diamond tennis bracelet has become one of the most beloved pieces of bridal jewellery in recent years. Its continuous line of brilliant diamonds adds an elegant shimmer to the wrist and works beautifully with both sleeveless and long-sleeved wedding gowns.
Bezel-set, baguette, the tennis bracelet options are endless!
Layering and Stacking
One of the most exciting bridal jewellery trends right now is the art of layering. Brides are confidently combining pearl and diamond pieces — perhaps a pearl necklace layered with a fine diamond pendant necklace, or pearl stud earrings worn alongside a diamond tennis bracelet. It's a look that feels effortlessly put-together and very much of the moment, while still reading as beautifully bridal.
Vintage and Heirloom Pieces
Heirloom and vintage-inspired bridal jewellery continues to be enormously popular. There's something incredibly moving about wearing a piece of jewellery with history — and it often doubles beautifully as your Something Borrowed. Whether it's a grandmother's pearl necklace or a vintage diamond bracelet sourced from an antique fair, the story behind the piece becomes part of your wedding day story too.
There Are No Rules — Only What Feels Like You
While it's wonderful to have guidance, the most important thing about your bridal jewellery is that it feels like you. Wedding jewellery is deeply personal — it might be something you've dreamed of since you were small, something that belonged to someone you love, or something you stumbled upon and simply knew was right. Trust that instinct.
What we do know is that pearls and diamonds have stood the test of time for very good reason. They're luminous, they're flattering, they're endlessly versatile, and they photograph absolutely beautifully in every light. Whether you choose one piece or several, they'll bring an effortless elegance to your wedding day look — and become treasured pieces you'll wear and love for many years to come.
Pearls and diamonds: a timeless combination
Find Your Perfect Bridal Pieces In-Store and Online
We'd love to help you find the jewellery that makes you feel completely and utterly bridal. Whether you're visiting us in Harrogate or browsing online, you'll find a beautiful edit of pearl necklaces, pearl earrings, diamond necklaces, diamond earrings, and diamond tennis bracelets — every piece chosen with brides in mind.
And if you're just beginning your bridal jewellery journey, why not start with our Something Blue blog — a beautiful exploration of one of the loveliest wedding traditions — before coming back here to find the pieces that'll make your day truly shine. ✨
With love, Fogal & Barnes Fine Jewellers 14 Cambridge Street, Harrogate, North Yorkshire
