4 Tips For Using Antique Jewelry On Your Wedding Day
Are you going to wear "something old" or "something borrowed" on your wedding day? Many brides and grooms enjoy adding a little touch of something with history — whether it's their own family's or someone else's history — on their big day. But before you slip on that antique piece, keep these few tips in mind.
1. Check and Repair the Item
Antique jewelry can, by its very nature, be fragile or in less than stellar condition. If you go with an old jewelry item from your family's jewelry box or out of the back of your own, have it thoroughly checked out before use. Even if it's a piece of jewelry you do sometimes wear, a long day with as much moving around as a wedding day can be hard on older items. Make sure they're in top condition before putting them on.
2. Clean the Jewelry
Cleaning can do wonders for any antique pieces of jewelry. You may not even realize how much they could shine brighter or look more stunning if you're used to their old appearance. Antique jewelry, though, should generally be cleaned by a professional jeweler. Some materials may not be up to modern home cleaning methods and can be damaged by using the wrong products or tools.
3. Make It a Statement
If you go to the trouble of finding or purchasing an heirloom item of jewelry, make it a standout star in your wedding day outfit. If using a classic necklace, for instance, you might pair it with simpler earrings or just a bracelet so that the necklace really grabs attention. Antiques have so much visual interest and sentiment that they generally shouldn't be made to compete with other jewelry or even the dress.
4. Match the Jewelry's Style
Antiques may or may not be a natural fit for modern dress or hairstyles, so you may want to build on the style or feeling of the jewelry. For instance, you could pair a set of Art Deco earrings with a '30s- or '40s-era hairpiece for continuity. Or complement your grandmother's large costume jewelry with bold brooches in your bouquet. Look at the jewelry as inspiration rather than a simple accessory.
If you carefully prepare your selection of antique jewelry before the wedding and make it an integral part of your look, the result will be a beautiful addition to any outfit. Learn more about finding and caring for heirloom wedding jewelry by meeting with an experienced jeweler in your area today.
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