Moon River Pearls Bridal Jewelry Collection

Gorgeous pearls for the fashionable, value-conscious bride. FREE earrings too!
Give our bridal consultant a call and she’ll help you stay within your budget. 800-405-2488

You’ve been dreaming of your wedding day since you were a little girl…and now it’s almost here. What an exciting time in your life! To help you choose the perfect bridal jewelry, we’ve put together a special wedding collection filled with every classic pearl jewelry style plus gorgeous modern jewelry designs every Vogue-reading bride is sure to love. We’re thrilled you found us. Not only are our pearls beautiful, they’re considerably less expensive than those found at retail stores–and the quality is the same or better. With Moon River Pearls, you can own luminous pearl bridal jewelry without breaking the bank. Stylish brides choose our pearls; we hope you will too!

Visit our Pearl Bridal Jewelry Collection today!

Prom Jewelry Trends 2012

by Amy Drescher Hourigan

Pulling together your prom look is a lot of fun…you’ve probably been poring through magazines and talking with your friends about prom fashions for months. If you’re reading this article, good for you! You’re one of the few who truly understands that finding the perfect prom accessories is just as important as finding the perfect prom dress. Every fashion diva knows that accessorizing isn’t supposed to be an afterthought! Accessories can make or break your look, and prom is like a high school version of the Oscars®. So before you walk down that figurative red carpet, you need to seriously think about your entire ensemble. I’m here to help…

There are rules for accessorizing, but first you need to consider the look you’re after. It all starts with your prom gown. Think of it as the base upon which you’ll layer the rest of your look. Before you go dress shopping, consider your personal style. How would you describe yourself?  Are you trendy, sporty, fun, fresh, funky, romantic, cutting-edge? Into vintage? High-fashion? Whatever your style, think about how you want to portray that at prom. Got it? Good. Next, think about what styles look good on you. Do you have great calves, a killer clavicle, a swan neck, toned arms, luminous baby browns? Think about what you want to highlight. Your personal style coupled with your personal figure-flattering considerations will guide your dress shopping. For example, if you’re cutting-edge and want to highlight your killer calves, choose a bold, short sheath dress. If you’re romantic and want to show off your great shoulders, choose a pearl pink strapless gown with an empire waist. Lucky for 2012 promgoers, the choices are endless. OK, now that you’ve got your dress, you’re ready to add some sparkle. At last, here are my rules for flawless prom accessorizing:

1. Accessories should complement, not compete. When it comes to fashion, knowing how to accessorize is uber-important. If you have a gorgeous prom dress but pair it with gaudy accessories, guess what? You’re entire look will fall flat. Go too far and you’ll just look tacky, scale back too much and hel-lo Plain Jane. How to accessorize perfectly? Consider this rule of thumb: Simple dresses carry off bold, statement-making jewelry. Busy dresses require subtle jewelry. Sleek dresses sans embellishments are like blank canvases. They can carry off funky, diva-inspired jewelry, like a giant cocktail ring, gobstopper-sized mother-of-pearl beads, a wide cuff or chandelier earrings. If you love bling, wear a simple dress as backdrop and go to town. Conversely, in-your-face dresses speak for themselves. They’re a focal point, and prom jewelry shouldn’t compete. Keep accessories simple by choosing pearl studs, a pearl pendant or a diamond tennis bracelet (real or fake). The trick is to pull your look together without overwhelming it. Remember, though, rules are meant to be broken. If something works, it works, no matter what the rules say.

2. Don’t be too matchy-matchy. Last year, prom gowns were all about metallics and jewel tones. Whether you decide to go with one of these gowns this year, or another bold color, don’t match your jewelry to your gown. There’s nothing more boring than an emerald green dress with matching emerald jewelry. Trite! Instead, choose pieces in a complementary color. Think how pretty that green dress will look with yellow gems…or how fab luminous lavender pearls will look against a shiny metallic gown. If you’re not sure how to get the look, read fashion magazines for inspiration.

3. You can have too much of a good thing. It’s one thing to have great accessories. It’s quite another to overwhelm your look with unnecessary bling. Look in the mirror. Do you notice your accessories first? Your dress? Your hair? You should notice YOU. You don’t want your jewelry, or anything else for that matter, to overpower you. Pick one or two standout pieces—like chandelier earrings and a cocktail ring, or earrings and a cuff, but don’t do a bold necklace and dangle earrings. You don’t want to be all about the jewelry. 

4. You get what you pay for. Unlike your beautiful prom dress or those gorgeous dyed shoes, jewelry is something you can wear long after the last prom song has faded. If you’re going with classic accessories and you’ve got a little money to spare, it’s okay to splurge a bit on, say, a timeless piece like a white pearl necklace. (Try round freshwater pearls; they’re gorgeous and affordable.) But beware trendy pieces. They’re fun to wear, but have a shelf-life that’s shorter than Paris Hilton’s skirts and are so not worth the investment. Spend enough on trendy pieces so they won’t break during the fast songs, but don’t overspend on something you won’t wear again. A big faux emerald cocktail ring probably won’t be in fashion forever, but good quality classic pearl pendant or pair of diamond studs will stand the test of time.

Good luck putting together your unique prom style. As you’re walking out to your waiting stretch limo on the arm of your date, I’ll be thinking about you and how fab you look. You’ll be the envy of all your friends. Have fun, Prom Queen!

What is the most popular month of the year for weddings?

I always knew that June was considered the most popular month for weddings in the United States, but for some reason I thought that September and October become more popular about 15 years ago.  Well I just checked some statistics and guess what – June is still the front runner.

 WHY do you think this is?
I have read about all sorts of reasons and some are:

June is the start of warmer temperatures and beautiful outdoor weather – not too hot and not too cold.  Flowers are in bloom and the grass is so green and lush at this time of year.  When there are lots of flowers in bloom it can mean spending less on your wedding flowers as so many are “in season”.

I also read some interesting tidbits. 

The Harvest and Pregnancy Planning
Back in the old days, couples would marry in June, and hopefully get pregnant that summer.  The mother-to-be would still be early enough along in her pregnancy to help with the autumn harvest.  The baby would be born by the following spring and the new mom would be able to help with the spring planting and the autumn harvest.  That poor mom!

Annual Bath in May or June – really?
Years ago, bathing was considered an annual event and this normally took place at the end of May or in June.  It would make complete sense that couples would want to get married just after they had their annual bath.  Plus their guests would smell and look a whole lot better too.  Amazing – don’t you think?  Who wants a bunch of stinky guests at their wedding?

Juno – the Roman Goddess of Marriage
Juno was the ancient Roman goddess of marriage, and accordingly, many Romans chose to honor this goddess by having their wedding in June. Many considered this month to be the most favorable time to marry and would be showered with luck and good wishes from the gods above if they did so.

June is the month of the Pearl
Pearls are considered to offer the power of love, protection, and luck. Pearls are thought to give wisdom, enhance karma and deepen romantic relationships. Brides love to wear pearls on their wedding day.  So what better month to pick for your wedding?  Plus every year on your wedding anniversary your adoring husband will most likely (if he knows what’s good for him) buy you some more pearl jewelry.

FYI:  The next most popular months are August (Isn’t August really hot and all the flowers and grass have turned brown), September and October.  Has anyone heard of the hurricane months?  Really?

I was married in July a long time ago. I was just telling someone the other day that it was one of those perfect sunny days on the shoreline in Connecticut.  It truly was.

Let us know what month you were married in and what was the reason you chose that date.  We want to hear from you!

Poll Reveals What Women Have Known All Along: Men Hate Shopping

Poll Reveals What Women Have Known All Along: Men Hate Christmas Shopping

by Amy Drescher, Moon River Pearls’ copywriter
I don’t think men are from Mars. I think they’re from Whoville, where every year they align with the Grinch and band together to ruin Christmas. Each holiday, after thoughtfully deciding on, shopping for, and wrapping the perfect presents for my boyfriend, I can’t wait to see what he picked out for me. I breathlessly anticipate tearing open the perfect romantic/sentimental gift, and every year I’m sorely disappointed.

I’m not alone.

Do they do it on purpose? Of course not. It’s just that men hate the pressure of holiday shopping and would cut off their right arm to avoid it.

It shows.

We women, on the other hand, have high expectations because we put lots of thought into gift-giving. Throughout the year, we pick up on the little hints he drops and then do our darndest to make sure he has a wonderful holiday filled with everything his heart desires. To women, gifts have hidden meanings, and we try to decode them to understand how our guy feels about us.

To men, buying us gifts is a necessary relationship evil, ranking right up there with attending our mother’s birthday party.

If you’re a woman over the age of fifteen, you know exactly what I’m taking about. In the name of research, however, I went out in the field and asked random men plus a few guy friends whether they look forward to shopping for that special something that will thrill their wife or girlfriend, or whether they dread it more than, say, buying tampons.

Read no further if you think there will be surprises. It was unanimous: Men hate holiday shopping. Yes, even more than cruising the feminine products aisle. Yes, even the sweet guys, and, yes, even your man. Here’s what they said:

Peter: “I am in the bah humbug category.”

Gary: “I hate having to shop for my girlfriend at Christmas. It’s way too much pressure and the holiday is too commercialized. I buy her nice things throughout the year when I see them. But I don’t want to have to buy her something just because society says I have to on a certain day. It’s so stupid.”

 “I hate shopping, period. I do try to be thoughtful but sometimes I’m more successful than others. Keep my name out of this, please. My wife reads your blog.” Anonymous

Jason: “I enjoy it, but I can say this because I don’t currently have a girlfriend.”

Ron: “The pressure I feel to outdo myself each year gets overwhelming. It is hard to keep being imaginative and thoughtful. Plus, guys like to buy practical things, but women don’t seem to appreciate a new toaster for Christmas, even if they desperately need one.”

TJ: “I love shopping for my girlfriend. It’s the wife who is the hardest. What do you get someone who buys everything she wants already? I get more mileage out of making her a gift from scratch. I use some construction paper, maybe a few cotton balls (for snowmen), some nice green and red crayon, BAM: instant romantic card.

Mike: “I typically don’t like holiday shopping for my wife, but I do strive to give her thoughtful gifts.  I don’t wait until the last minute, but if I do the shopping too early, I always think I’ve shortchanged her, and end up buying a couple of more presents. The grand total is always too much (in her opinion, not mine).”

Steve: “After 14 years of marriage I have learned the value of the gift certificate. The store is never out of them. Plus it gives my wife and kids a chance to get out of the house. She has a good time as long as the kids behave. And if they don’t, she can’t wait to get back to the house so it’s like several gifts. Either way, I get time alone. I consider myself a very thoughtful husband.”

David: “My wife never tells me what she wants so I usually get her jewelry or a gift certificate or something that she can take back. I don’t hate it but it’s not my idea of a fun thing to do on my day off.  Sometimes I buy her gloves or something like that and a book and a gift certificate and some jewelry like gold or pearl earrings. That’s it. One year I bought her a bike. That was not a good thing.” 

Matt: “Yes, I hate shopping for my wife. Lingerie is returned for something more comfortable. Jewelry is greeted with an eye-roll if it isn’t diamonds. Plus, it’s hard to get creative at Christmas since you’ve been milked on birthdays, anniversaries, birth of children, etc. Shopping for the girlfriend, on the other hand, is much more enjoyable. Everything is met with wide eyes and glee. But I’m sure that will end over time also.”

John: “Usually yes, I hate shopping. However, this year we have decided to give each other ideas (not necessarily a list) so it should be much easier. Of course there will be a few surprises thrown in. Over the years though, it has been a stressful time. I think that whole Mars & Venus comes into play. She wants cleaning to be easier… a new Shop Vac oughta help. Something we can enjoy together…doesn’t a plasma TV fit the bill?”

Jim: “I am not crazy about shopping generally, but I don’t really mind holiday shopping. I figure she puts up with my crap all year long, so it’s my chance to do something nice and let her know I appreciate her. Choosing something she’ll really like is tough sometimes, and the fact that I’m a world-class procrastinator doesn’t help things. I try to have some fairly definite ideas about what to get, and then hit the mall early (like 8:00 a.m., usually the Saturday before Christmas) before the crowds arrive.”
Also from Jim: “Cautionary tale about a guy I used to work with: He waited until Christmas Eve to go shopping for his wife, and when he tried to check out he discovered that she had already maxed out all their credit cards! Having no cash, he came home empty handed. He was in the maison-de-pooch for quite a while.”

Dan: “My friend and I shop for our wives together every December 24. First, we hit a few bars. Then we hit some more. Just before the mall closes, we race in, buy whatever’s on the Gap mannequin in our wives’ size, and go back to drinking. Our wives get pretty pissed when they get the same outfit. But isn’t it the thought that counts?”

Ben: “I always intend to get a thoughtful, wonderful gift, not always expensive but thoughtful. Sometimes when it clicks perfectly I get the gift and surprise her with it. But sometimes when the schedule of my whacked out life is too much I miss my window and end up with a turd of a gift. I am always aware of the gift being a turd or not. Guys like to pretend they are oblivious to all of this and get to say, ‘I’m a guy, what do you expect?’ We are aware however.”

See what I mean? Young and old, sweet and not-so-much, married and unmarried, men are all alike when it comes to Christmas shopping for women. As my friend’s wise mother put it, “Lamb, they are all the same.” Indeed.

Girls’ Survival Strategy
So what’s a girl to do? Much as we hate it, the best way to get exactly what we want is to spell it out, leaving no stone unturned. Give him specifics: List the URL or store location, price, color, size and SKU. This strategy ruins the surprise, sure, but at least you won’t end up with a leather thong or a CD of heavy metal monster ballads.
Another option is to have a good friend call your man and say, “Hey, if you’re stuck about what to get your wife/girlfriend this Christmas, we were shopping last week and she mentioned she’d love to have X. Thought you’d want to know.”

Or, do as my friend Annie does and buy things for yourself, have them gift-wrapped, ship them to your home, and send him the bill.

The last option is to do what I do: Hope and pray that this year will finally be different and that he’ll spend a lot of time and effort searching for the perfect present that will show how wild he is about me and how well he really knows the inner me.

With expectations like that, it’s no wonder I’m always bawling on Christmas morning.

Pointers for Men
For men with women who refuse to tell them what they want (and yes, darling boyfriend, if you’re reading this it applies to you too), there are a few staples that make most women happy. They are: a beautiful full-length coat (hint: if she’s a vegan, skip the fur and leather), diamond or pearl jewelry, tickets to an island getaway or a gift certificate to her favorite clothing store.

My best advice, much as men hate it, is to pay attention to her comments throughout the year. Has she mentioned a trendy restaurant she wants to try? Make reservations and stick a note in her stocking. Does she love Oprah? How about the TV host’s 20th anniversary DVD collection? Is she into jewelry? Freshwater cultured pearls are affordable and lovely; lavender freshwater cultured pearls are trendy and hot right now. As always, Tiffany & Co. jewelry will make her day, but if you’re short on cash, get her a few books on subjects she’s into (the thought will melt her) or burn her a mix CD of songs that remind you of her. I wouldn’t attempt making her a homemade card, though, unless you’re planning on tucking tickets to St. Baarts inside.

One final thought: If you want to have a merry Christmas, avoid giving her the following gifts AT ALL COST:
Kitchen appliances, including, but not limited to:

mixers
blenders
toasters
microwaves
exception: High-end coffee maker
Tools (she knows you just want to borrow them)
Sheetrock (my friend did actually get this one year)
Weight-loss books, tapes, magazines, gadgets, etc. Don’t even GO there, mister!
TVs (another gift that’s a thinly-disguised present for you)
Puppies (c’mon, everyone wants to pick their own dog, and who wants to train one during a holiday)
Sports tickets (like you, we claim to love stuff we hate just to make you happy)
Gift certificate for a makeover (obvious, obvious mistake)

Good luck, guys. Try to stay out of the doghouse this year.

Thanksgiving Tradition

Giving thanks, turkey, stuffing, mashed potato and PIE!

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and it is one of my very favorite holidays.  It is a favorite because for me, and I believe for most people, Thanksgiving involves being with family and friends, while you all enjoy delicious food together.  It is truly a time to think about what each of us has to be thankful for and a time for remembering all the Thanksgivings past.  There is not the commercialism that we find with Christmas either.  We aren’t rushing around spending money, looking for the perfect gift, etc. – you know what I mean.  Most families have a Thanksgiving tradition that they depend on each year, which could be in the way of giving thanks as a group or individually, special foods, etc.  We would love to hear about your traditions and if you have a favorite recipe – pass it along.

PS:  If you know of anyone that may be alone on Thanksgiving, invite them over to share a meal with you.  Now that’s great a tradition – don’t you think?

Necklace Buying Guide

Buying the right length Pearl Necklace can be confusing.
We hope that this guide will help you decide which length best suits your needs.
If you are still overwhelmed, give us a call or an email and we will be glad to advise you.

Typically, pearl strands fall into the following categories:

Collar 12-13 inches
Choker 14-16 inches
Princess 17-19 inches
Matinee 20-24 inches
Opera 26-36 inches
Rope 40 inches and over

With a few simple pointers, choosing the right strand is easy…

When choosing a necklace, take into consideration the recipient’s age, body composition, lifestyle and personal tastes. In general, shorter strands and smaller pearls (6.5-7.0 mm) look best on younger women; the shorter strands, which nestle at the base of the throat or slightly below, draw attention to the skin and flatter youthful complexions. Pearls with a smaller diameter won’t overwhelm a younger woman’s features. Short strands, especially the princess and choker, are versatile and look great with virtually anything.

Mature women (40s and beyond) can carry off larger pearls (7.5-8.0 mm and up) and longer lengths with ease. The longer, more dramatic lengths and the larger pearls elongate the neck and call attention to the jewelry, framing the face and neck beautifully, creating an overall slender appearance for the woman.

In general, short pearl strands best complement long necks, and long pearl strands draw the eye downward and help create the illusion of length in a short neck. When choosing a strand, keep in mind that longer strands of bigger pearls (7.5 mm and up) are dramatic and sophisticated, while shorter strands are classic and elegant.

Pearl necklaces can be paired with any outfit, but in general, the shorter lengths are more versatile, and can be worn with casual such as a T-shirt and jeans as well as tailored outfits. Longer lengths are typically for dressier and special occasions. If a woman is sporty, she might prefer a shorter strand, while a sophisticated dresser might like a longer, more dramatic strand. When in doubt, keep in mind that the mid-length princess strand flatters everyone.

A note on layering: Today, the trend in jewelry is all about layering. Open any fashion magazine and you’ll find women wearing several necklaces of different lengths, colors and materials together to create a sassy, unique look. Having several different strands of variable sizes, lengths and colors gives the wearer many fashion options.

A pearl collar fits tightly around the neck, and is typically made up of three strands or more. The collar draws attention to the face and neck and looks great with lower necklines.

A timeless classic, the pearl choker is perfect for many styles of dress, and can be worn with high or low necklines, dressed up or down. If the woman you’re buying for doesn’t have a pearl necklace, this strand, or the slightly longer princess-length, is the right choice.

Due to its versatility, the 18-inch princess-length necklace is our most popular item. It looks great on all women, and can be paired with many different necklines. The princess length works especially well with business suits, high-necked sweaters and tees, and many wedding gowns.

The matinee-length pearl necklace rests on the cleavage, and looks perfect with a high neckline that won’t compete with it for attention, or a very low, plunging neckline that frames the pearls. This length is a bit more formal than the choker and princess, and is perfect for the sophisticated woman.

The long, opera-length pearl necklace is often spotted on women enjoying a wonderful evening out. This dramatic length looks stunning with high necklines that won’t compete with the pearls.

Wonderfully breathtaking, the pearl rope hangs very low and swings with movement. The rope will definitely get attention! To change the rope’s look, it can be tied, or looped several times around the neck for a shorter, multiple-strand effect.

A word about color: If you are unsure which color pearls to choose, keep in mind that creamy white pearls are classic—they always look stunning. As well, rose colored pearls are gorgeous and romantic, and softly flatter most skin tones. In general, lighter skin tones look best with white pearls, while darker complexions are best flattered by rose or black pearls.

Still can’t decide? E-mail us at customerservice@moonriverpearls.com or call Moon River Pearls at 800-405-2488 and we’ll help you choose the perfect strand.

Traditional and Modern Birthstones

Gregorian Birthstone Poems
Traditional Birthstones with the Modern just below:

By her who in this month (January) is born
No gem save garnets should be worn;
They will ensure her constancy,
True friendship, and fidelity.
Modern:  Garnet

The February-born shall find
Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they an amethyst will wear.
Modern:  Amethyst

Who in this world of ours their eyes
In March first open shall be wise,
In days of peril firm and brave,
And wear a bloodstone to their grave.
Modern:  Aquamarine

She who from April dates her years,
Diamonds shall wear, lest bitter tears
For vain repentance flow; this stone,
Emblem of innocence, is known.
Modern: Diamond

Who first beholds the light of day
In spring’s sweet flowery month of May
And wears an emerald all her life
Shall be a loved and happy wife.
Modern:  Emerald

Who comes with summer to this earth,
And owes to June her hour of birth,
With ring of agate on her hand
Can health, wealth, and long life command.
Modern:  Moonstone or Pearl
�
The glowing ruby shall adorn,
Those who in July are born;
Then they’ll be exempt and free
From love’s doubts and anxiety.
Modern: Ruby

Wear a sardonyx or for thee,
No conjugal felicity;
The August-born without this stone,
`Tis said, must live unloved and lone.
Modern:  Peridot

A maiden born when September leaves
Are rustling in September‘s breeze,
A sapphire on her brow should bind
`Twill cure diseases of the mind.
Modern:  Sapphine

October‘s child is born for woe,
And life’s vicissitudes must know,
But lay an opal on her breast,
And hope will lull those woes to rest.
Modern:  Opal, Pink Tourmaline

Who first comes to this world below
In drear November‘s fog and snow,
Should prize the topaz’s amber hue,
Emblem of friends and lovers true.
Modern:  Topaz and Citrine

If cold December gave you birth,
The month of snow and ice and mirth,
Place on your hand a turquoise blue;
Success will bless whate’er you do.
Modern:  Turquoise, Tanzanite, Blue Topaz

What was the “worst gift” you ever received?

Ladies and Gentlemen:

What was the worst gift that you ever received?

For anyone who was the recipient of a gift that just didn’t cut it, please, please let us know.

For me, well there are several that I can think of and they have all come from my dear husband.  Don’t misunderstand me – he is a wonderful man in every way, but he is gift-giving challenged.  The worst birthday gifts have been when he just doesn’t bother to get me one.  One year he bought sheetrock for our bathroom, and I will never forget the new washing machine that I ordered and he told me it was my birthday present.  Since we had 4 kids under the age of 10 years old at the time, apparently he assumed that I only washed MY clothes.  I don’t get it!

Just before her birthday, a wise friend of mine told her husband, “Please don’t ever give me a gift that has an electrical cord attached!”  He took her advice and he bought her a gym membership instead.  He thought it was a fantastic idea, but needless to say, she was hurt and very disappointed.   The following Christmas this very same husband presented my friend with beautiful ruby earrings.  Now that man wised up!

Please let us know what your worst gift was.

Cultured Pearls, Freshwater Pearls

What’s the difference between a cultured pearl and a natural pearl? 
Natural pearls are formed when an irritant, such as a parasite, makes its way into a pearl-producing animal such as an oyster or mollusk. To protect itself, the animal coats the irritant in nacre—a combination of organic substances that also makes up what we call mother-of pearl. Over time, the layers of nacre build up around the intruder and eventually form the organic gem we all know as the pearl.

Cultured pearls are formed in the same way as natural pearls, with one big difference: they get their start not by chance, but deliberately, when man intervenes with nature. To produce cultured pearls, a skilled technician, called a nucleator, induces the pearl-growing process by surgically placing an irritant—a mother-of-pearl bead and a piece of mantle tissue, usually—into a mollusk. The animal is then placed back into the water and monitored, cleaned, etc. until the pearl is ready to be harvested.

The Chinese have been culturing freshwater blister pearls (pearls that grow underneath the mantle on the inside of the animal’s shell) since the 13th century, but Kokichi Mikimoto, a Japanese man, is credited with developing modern pearl culturing techniques. By the early 1920s, Mikimoto was selling his cultured pearls worldwide.

Natural pearls can be very beautiful, but due to overfishing, pollution and other factors, they are a rare find indeed.  Thus, nearly all pearls sold today are cultured pearls. There are two main types: freshwater and saltwater. South Sea cultured pearls, Tahitian cultured pearls and akoya cultured pearls are all types of saltwater pearls. Cultured pearls of all types can be found in jewelry stores worldwide.

Are saltwater pearls better than freshwater pearls?
It depends on who you ask, but many pearl experts today agree that freshwater cultured pearls can rival the beauty of their saltwater cousins. Due to improvements in culturing techniques, freshwater pearl farmers are producing beautiful, round, lustrous pearls that are a vast improvement over the wrinkled, rice-krispie-shaped gems that typified the freshwater pearl crop of the not-so-distant past.

Produced mainly in China, freshwater pearls are often nucleated, or implanted, with mantle tissue only (rather than a mother-of-pearl bead). Because they do not contain a starter bead, tissue-nucleated freshwater pearls are 100% nacre. This gives them a beautiful luster and a durable surface that won’t easily flake or peel to reveal the inner bead. By contrast, pearls that are bead-nucleated and harvested too soon often have only a thin coating of nacre that will flake or peel. This is a major problem: Unlike many other gemstones, pearls cannot be polished back to perfection. 

Freshwater cultured pearls come in many beautiful natural pastel colors including cream, white, yellow, orange, pink and lavender. (Universally flattering lavender pearls are very popular right now.) White pearls are bleached to enhance their natural shine. Black freshwater cultured pearls are treated with dye or heat to produce their inky color.

Overall, freshwater pearls are more plentiful than other pearl types, thus they are generally more affordable.

Pearl Bridal Jewelry by the Seasons

Pearl Bridal Jewelry by the Seasons

 What with the myriad details required, planning a wedding can be overwhelming and more than a little stressful. Music, favors, seating arrangements, food, attendants’ gifts…it’s enough to make a frazzled girl elope. Luckily, bridal jewelry is easy to choose if you let your personal style—and the feel of the season—shine through. Follow this handy guide for picking the right bridal jewelry to go with the time of year in which you plan to wed and you can’t go wrong.

  -  Winter: Planning a winter wedding? Cozy indoor winter weddings are characterized by elegance and sophistication—think a softly lit, warm, festive party with the crisp, black night air as a backdrop. Classic pearls and diamonds are your best bet here. They’ll beautifully complement the heavier drapes and fabrics of a winter bridal gown, and look just gorgeous in the glittering night. Think pearl drop earrings, diamond and pearl pendants, or a multi-strand pearl or CZ-encrusted cuff bracelet. A popular trend right now, according to Bridesmagazine, is to add contrast to your wedding-day white with a black belt, clutch or hair accessory. “These cool opposites combine for graphic glamour.” This cosmopolitan look is perfect for winter. A long sophisticated black pearl necklace would look especially sharp against a black-sashed gown.

-  Spring: A spring wedding is the perfect opportunity to lighten up your look. The choice here? Light green gemstones like aventurine or prehnite (think the color of new shoots of grass) or freshwater cultured pearls, which come in a wide range of pastel colors that are luminously beautiful and very affordable—and perfect for a spring wedding. Lavender pearls, pink pearls, and today’s hottest color—orange pearls—are all easy to find on the Internet. Bonus: These shades are so luminously flattering (not over the top color-saturated) that they’ll make your skin glow and your features pop. If you choose something green, choose one bold piece so as not to overwhelm your dress, like an aventurine cuff bracelet or a prehnite-and-pearls necklace. For a uniform look, choose jewelry for your attendants in a matching hue and consider a matching sash. If you’re wearing a lavender pearl strand, for example, have your bridesmaids wear lavender pearl pendants or lavender pearl bracelets and perhaps a dress with a lavender sash. Or try an elegant lavender clutch.

 - Summer: Summer weddings just radiate a laid-back beach vibe. (Think Drew Barrymore with flowers in her hair, boho Kate Hudson or a barefoot Julia Roberts.) If you’re getting married in July, August or September, it’s all about the sandy beaches, outdoor dance floors, and coral, mother-of-pearl, pearl and jade jewelry. If your dress is sophisticated or ornate, stick to classic pearl jewelry, but if you’re a little more laid-back, mother-of-pearl, coral and even wooden accessories, depending on the setting, can look great. Superstitious? According to WeddingChannel.com, jade symbolizes good luck, health and prosperity in many Asian cultures, but don’t buy jade jewelry for yourself—tradition dictates that it must be given to you. Timeless picks: go for a jade ring or jade necklace.

 - Fall: Why opt for all classic white? While diamond and pearl jewelry is always in style for brides, today it’s acceptable to incorporate blazing reds, oranges and browns. In fact, orange is all the rage right now. To incorporate a blast of color into your wedding day jewelry, choose a pearl choker with a stunning ruby centerpiece, a pearl necklace or pearl earrings made with rich brown pearls, or earrings or a bracelet made of citrine. You’ll stand out and feel beautiful, and best of all, you’ll be able to enjoy your jewelry long after the big day is over.

 Tips for buying jewelry on the Internet:

• Consider the source. Who owns the site? A prominent toll-free or other contact number plus the site’s address should be clearly visible.
• Is the site secure? Only shop at sites that have a Verisign or other safe shopping seal. Check the FAQ page or the bottom of the home page for a SiteSafe™ or other logo—usually a lock—or call customer service.
• Will your information be sold to a third party? Check the site’s privacy policy.  
• Check returns. A generous, 90-day money-back guarantee allows ample time for you to change your mind without remorse.
• Check shipping times. They vary, as do costs. Free shipping on a trusted carrier like UPS is a bonus.
• How happy are other customers? Check the site’s testimonials page for unbiased, third-party reviews.
• Does the site offer a free gift? Bonus! Give it to your maid of honor or mother-in-law to be.

  We would love to hear from you!  Share your ideas for just the right bridal jewelry.