There’s no denying that one of the most important parts of any wedding ceremony is the wardrobe, from the groom’s fitted tuxedo to the bride’s flowing white gown and her bridesmaids’ glamorous dresses. The colors are often intricately coordinated and every detail from main pieces to minute accessories is discussed and considered beforehand. For most brides, an important accent to their wedding dress is bridal jewelry.
Estate Jewelry is a term used to describe jewelry with a history. It can be purchased from an estate sale (hence its name), an antique shop, or it can be – as is most common – passed down from previous generations as an heirloom. While heirlooms are passed down from the women in a family free of charge, jewelry acquired at estate sales or antique shops is often cheaper than its new counterparts at designer boutiques. The reason for this price differential is, of course, because estate sales and antique shops alike are interested in selling products as quickly as possible, not in maximizing their value. All of these factors make estate jewelry a very cost-effective option for weddings. And for any wise person, of course, the cost of a wedding is always considered; be it an elaborate party or a quiet church affair, the costs certainly add up quickly. Wardrobe costs for a wedding can be well into the thousands, and that is often only for the bare essentials like dresses, tuxedos, and shoes.
Since estate jewelry is generally of a vintage and/or antique nature, it is not only less expensive option, but also creates a unique feeling as well. In a time where everything is mass produced, styles are copied endlessly and people hunt for ways to repeat the special events of others, being “fashionable” is not necessarily fashionable any more. Fashion is supposed to be the cutting edge of expression and unique identity; when everyone is doing the same thing, it takes away the individuality and stops being truly fashionable. With vintage jewelry, one is guaranteed a unique piece with a unique story, as well as a timeless sense of style.
Anyone can get a princess cut diamond or have a jeweler imitate the engagement rings they see on the hands of their favorite celebrities, but it would be that much more special to have a ring that has decades – or even centuries – of history behind it. Using antique engagement rings can say so much more than a recent style. Passing down rings from previous generations has been a tradition in many families and it can really bring people together in a way that words simply can’t, as the young bride finds herself wearing the same engagement ring that her mother and grandmother did when they were young.
Even better, estate jewelry is undeniably eco-friendly since no new resources are needed for them to be made. Gold, for example, is thought to have one of the largest ecological footprints in the mining industry. Gold mines produce a great deal of dust, and once that gets into the air it can destroy surrounding habitats and pollute the nearby water supplies. From there, it can create toxic waste that raises acid levels. This is a larger problem in countries outside of the US and Canada since environmental regulations are different everywhere, but it can be hard to know for sure what damage is being caused in order to produce the newer jewelry one may wish to purchase. What is certain, is that acquiring estate jewelry prevents any new mining from taking place.
Another great way to use estate jewelry is to decorate with it. Since large amounts of antique jewelry can be purchased at one time, it could be a great tool to set a certain atmosphere and personalize a wedding. Lower-end jewelry can be used in place of flowers to make bouquets, table settings and accessories, while higher-end jewelry can adorn the wrists and necklines or the groomsmen and bridesmaids. This method would not only be cost effective and hold sentiment, but the bride would be able to keep all of the jewelry afterwords and not worry about it perishing as flowers do. Depending on the theme, it could also be passed along as party favors or gifts to the bridesmaids/groomsmen for taking part in such a special occasion.
Whatever the reason, estate jewelry may be the best way to go when it comes to planning your wedding. It acts as lovely statement pieces for the bride and bridesmaids, and – in the case of watches – for the groom and groomsmen as well. It can be used in the decorations, subtly or as the theme. Best of all, it is easy on the wallet and the environment. For a modern twist on a timeless accessory, estate jewelry will forever be one of the best options!
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