Your wedding jewelry is the most special jewelry which you will ever own. The earrings, necklace, and bracelets which you wear on your wedding day will do so much in creating the perfect bridal look. And your engagement ring and wedding band will be the two pieces of jewelry that you wear every day for the rest of your life. Learn how to care for your precious wedding jewelry, both before and after the wedding, so that it will last you a lifetime.
In the months leading up to your wedding, you will select those special accessories which you will wear with your wedding gown. Some brides are also lucky enough to have family heirlooms to borrow for their wedding. All jewelry should be clean and shiny for the wedding ceremony, and antique or borrowed pieces may require some additional care to prepare them to be worn. For instance, older gemstone jewelry may have worn prongs or could be loose in their setting. Better to find out and have the piece repaired rather than risk losing a gem while wearing the jewelry at your wedding.
Pearl bridal jewelry is the most classic type of wedding jewelry. The nacre (mother of pearl coating) on the outside of a pearl is what gives a pearl its signature luminosity, but it is also very fragile and must be babied. If the nacre is damaged, the pearl will end up with a dull appearance, and it can never be restored to its former beauty. This is why preventing damage is key. Never get pearls wet, and use only a soft dry cloth for cleaning. Store pearls separately from other jewelry, so that they cannot be scratched. If you will be wearing your pearl bridal jewelry for other events before your wedding, remember this old rule of thumb: pearls should always be the last thing that you put on and the first thing that you take off. This helps protect the delicate luster from the ravages of agents like hairspray and perfume.
Brides who are wearing pearl necklaces and bracelets which have been worn before should take them to a jeweler several months before the wedding to be evaluated. It is not uncommon that a strand of pearls may need to be re-strung, either because the silk thread has become thin and weak or because the thread between the pearls has gotten dingy. Re-stringing is a very straightforward process, and not particularly expensive, but it can take some time, so be sure to plan ahead. You may also consider having pearls re-strung to a length that best complements the neckline of your wedding gown; remember that they can always be re-strung back to their original length after the wedding if need be.
Brides have always loved sparkly wedding jewelry, and if you have chosen crystal or diamond pieces, you will want to be sure that they shine brilliantly for your special day. The best way to care for fine Swarovski crystal bridal jewelry is gently, so as not to scratch the reflective surfaces (especially important for coated crystals, such as those with an aurora borealis finish). Wipe them with a soft cloth, and do not immerse them in water. If deeper cleaning is needed, a diluted glass cleaner can be gently brushed on with a cotton swab (not a toothbrush, which can scratch the surface). Most diamond jewelry can stand up to fairly vigorous professional cleaning by a jeweler. The usual method is to dip it in an ultrasonic device. Always check with the jeweler who sold you your jewelry before using any dips or ultrasonics at home, because some of the accent gems (like emeralds, for instance) may not be withstand such methods. A day or two before your wedding, have your engagement ring professionally cleaned so it shines like the sun.
Bridget Mora writes for Silverland Jewelry about jewelry, design, and weddings. Visit us at http://silverlandjewelry.com/ to see our fabulous collection of wedding jewelry, and receive free shipping on your jewelry order over $99.