Pearls and Diamonds: The Timeless Wedding Jewels

By Tresors Team October 01, 2026

Fashions in bridal wear come and go, but two gems have adorned brides for centuries: the soft glow of the pearl and the fire of the diamond. Each carries its own symbolism and style, and together they offer something for nearly every bride.

Pearls: Quiet Luminosity

Pearls have long been associated with purity, modesty and new beginnings, which made them a natural fit for weddings. Unlike most gemstones, they need no cutting or polishing. They emerge from the oyster already lustrous, a quality that lends them an organic, almost romantic appeal.

Royal and Hollywood brides helped cement their status. Queen Victoria wore pearls on her wedding day, and Grace Kelly's 1956 bridal look, with its delicate pearl-embellished cap, remains an icon of understated elegance.

Choosing pearls. The type you choose changes the whole feel of the look:

Akoya: classic, round and brilliantly lustrous, the traditional "string of pearls" choice.
South Sea: larger and satiny, in white or golden tones, with a luxurious presence.
Tahitian: naturally dark, with peacock, silver and green overtones. These suit brides wanting something bolder.
Freshwater: the most affordable and varied, available in many shapes, including baroque pearls with an artisan, contemporary feel.

Wearing them. A single strand suits a simple neckline, while pearl drop earrings work beautifully with an updo. Pearl hair pins and combs are also a lovely alternative to a tiara. Pearls are soft and sensitive to perfume, hairspray and acids, so the old jeweller's rule applies: put them on last and take them off first.

Diamonds: Brilliance and Endurance

The diamond's name comes from the Greek adamas, meaning "unconquerable", and its hardness has made it a natural emblem of lasting love. The tradition of diamond engagement rings is often traced to 1477, when Archduke Maximilian of Austria reportedly gave one to Mary of Burgundy. It became a mass-market custom in the twentieth century, helped along by the famous 1947 slogan "A diamond is forever."

Today diamonds appear across the whole bridal wardrobe: engagement rings, wedding bands, earrings, bracelets and delicate necklaces.

Choosing diamonds. Jewellers evaluate stones by the "four Cs":

Cut: how well the stone is proportioned, which largely determines its sparkle.
Colour: graded from colourless to light yellow, with colourless stones prized most.
Clarity: the presence of tiny natural inclusions.
Carat: the weight, which is not the same as visual size.

Cut usually has the biggest impact on how a diamond looks, so it's worth prioritising.

Bringing Them Together

Pearls and diamonds complement each other well: one soft and glowing, the other crisp and radiant. Some ways to combine them:

Pearl necklace with diamond studs. A balanced, classic pairing.
Diamond-accented pearl earrings. A small halo of diamonds around a pearl adds sparkle without overpowering it.
Vintage-inspired sets. Art Deco and Edwardian pieces often blend seed pearls with diamonds for an heirloom look.

A useful rule of thumb is to let one piece lead. If you're wearing a statement necklace, keep earrings and bracelets simple, and match the metal (white gold, platinum, yellow gold or rose gold) to your ring and dress tones.

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

Jewellery is one of the easiest ways to honour this much-loved wedding tradition, which comes from an old English rhyme that gained popularity in Victorian times. It runs: "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in her shoe." Each item carries its own meaning:

Something old represents continuity and ties to the bride's family and past.
Something new stands for optimism and the future ahead.
Something borrowed is traditionally taken from a happily married friend or relative, in the hope that some of their good fortune will pass to the bride.
Something blue has long symbolised love, fidelity and purity.
A sixpence in her shoe was a wish for prosperity, and modern brides often substitute a coin of their own.

Jewellery fits neatly into every category. A grandmother's pearl necklace can be your "old", new diamond earrings your "new", a sister's bracelet your "borrowed", and a sapphire pendant, or even a blue ribbon stitched inside your dress, your "blue". It's a lovely way to weave family history and personal meaning into your wedding day.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're drawn to the gentle glow of pearls, the brilliance of diamonds or a blend of both, the best wedding jewellery is the kind you'll treasure long after the day itself. Choose pieces that suit your dress, reflect your style and, ideally, carry a story worth passing on.