RecycledBride

Accessorize Wisely

Accessories are the key to creating a picture-perfect wedding ensemble. A winning bridal look is all about balance. Instead of choosing accessories that match your dress and veil, find ones that compliment your look.

• Avoid bling overload. If your dress and veil are embellished with lots of beads, crystals or rhinestones, stick with very simple jewelry and accessories — and not much of either. An overload of all-over sparkle can look more “Vegas showgirl” than “blushing bride“.
• From simple to spectacular. If you plan to wear a less ornate gown, you can get creative with big, bold accessories. A sparkly oversized bracelet, a vintage brooch, dangling earrings or an embellished clutch will add glamour to any simple bridal look.
• Two at a time. The best bridal accessory in the history of weddings (aside from the groom) is a joyful smile. Don’t outshine yours with too many accessories around your face. Stick with the “rule of two” and wear no more than two pieces of jewelry above the waist. Just say no to that tiara/hair jewels/earrings/necklace combo.
• Get stranded. Having a bout of accessory doubt? A bride can’t go wrong by wearing a pearl necklace. For casual weddings, we love multiple strands of tiny seed pearls, while more formal affairs call for a single or double strand of larger pearls. A pearl necklace will go with just about any wedding dress, and adds instant classic style to your bridal ensemble. Match it with pearl, diamond or CZ studs to complete the look.
• Accessorize with a surprise. Are you drawn to unique accessories like long gloves, sequined headbands or feather fascinators? Stylish brides know that a “statement” accessory can help to make a wedding truly memorable. But as always, balance is the key. Too many themed accessories will turn your ensemble into a Halloween costume instead of a sophisticated bridal look. Stick with just one statement piece, and tone down the rest of your accessories to really let it shine.

You Gotta Fake It

Unless your last name is Trump or Hilton, you probably won’t buy wedding jewelry made of real diamonds, platinum and pearls. Luckily, you don’t have to spend a lot to look fabulous. Check out these affordable materials that today’s jewelry designers use to make totally gorgeous wedding baubles.

• Crystals. You’ve probably heard of Swarovski crystals, and seen other crystal jewelry advertised in stores or online. Crystals are man-made gems and are relatively inexpensive. Their sparkly surface makes them a popular choice for bridal and special-event jewelry, and they’re available in traditional colorless, as well as a wide array of colors. The amount of sparkle a crystal will give depends on its cut and polish, much like diamonds. Swarovski sets the industry standard for quality crystals.
• Silver. Silver jewelry comes in either sterling silver or silver plated (there is no jewelry made from pure silver). Sterling silver is at least 92% silver mixed with other metals. It varies in quality but is generally durable and can simulate the rich look of platinum or white gold. Jewelry that is silver plated is coated with a silver coating, the material underneath can vary greatly. Silver plating is often used for cheap fashion jewelry that is made of steel or other poor quality metal, and the finish can wear off quickly.
• Gold. You may find wedding jewelry on Recycled Bride that’s made of gold or gold vermeil, or is gold plated. Real gold jewelry contains a certain percent of gold mixed with other metals, The amount of gold in the piece determines its price — so a 22 carat gold necklace will be more valuable than the same necklace made with 10 karat gold. Higher carat gold also has a more concentrated yellow color. Vermeil is gold (usually 18k or 22k) electroplated onto sterling silver with a minimum thickness of 2.5 microns. Gold vermeil is fairly durable, though not nearly as valuable as real gold. Gold plated jewelry has a very thin layer of gold, just a few microns thick, attached to a base metal. Because this thin layer can, and does, easily wear off, this type of gold jewelry will tarnish and will not last well. Look for real gold or gold vermeil jewelry for the best quality and finest look.
• Cubic Zirconia. To the untrained eye, a cubic zirconia looks identical to a good quality diamond. In fact, CZs are so good at imitating diamonds that most jewelers can’t even tell the difference without a magnifying glass. There is a lot of high-qualiy CZ wedding jewelry on the market, and much of it is stylish and versatile enough to wear for a lifetime. Look for jewelry where the stones are mounted or set instead of glued on.
• Rhinestones are relatively inexpensive, and are made from glass, acrylics, paste or gem quartz. The are similar to crystals, but can sparkle even more. Rhinestones were used in costume jewelry of the early 20th century, when they were called “paste”. These days, rhinestones have mostly been displaced by crystals, but vintage rhinestone jewels are widely collected and highly sought-after. Look for deals on vintage rhinestone accessories from famous makers like Weiss, Trifari and Coro.
• Imitation Pearls (also called faux, simulated, artificial, or man-made) are more affordable than real pearls, and often look just like the real thing. Look for high-quality imitation pearls, by reputable manufacturers like Mallorca and Red Sea. Imitation pearls are made using ceramic, glass or plastic, and their luster (brilliance or shimmer) and strength can vary depending on the manufacturing process used. Real pearls also vary in price based on their quality and luster. You may find affordable authentic pearls, and can usually tell what kind of luster to expect based on the original retail price.

Something Old, Something New

Most accessories are durable enough to be used many times without showing wear, so it’s easy to get “something old” that looks just like something shiny and new. But if the Recycled Bride accessory you’re interested in is pre-owned, ask the seller these questions:

• Are any beads, crystals or sequins missing?
• Is the metal tarnished?
• Are there any stains or yellowing on handbags or gloves?
• Are all pins, combs and clips are still attached to hair accessories?