Wedding Season Tips: Finding Something Blue

If you've been planning a wedding, you have probably heard the old adage: "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a silver sixpence in her shoe." Since the saying's origins in the 1500s, it has always been thought that these elements have to be present on the bride's person to ensure a blessed and happy marriage. Each element symbolizes important aspects of the bride's life: "something old" represents her familial past while "something new" represents her future family. "Something borrowed" is usually from a friend who has had a positive effect on the bride and represents community. "Something blue" represents characteristics for an ideal marriage—honesty, fidelity, and, of course, love. The sixpence, which is more than often neglected nowadays, represents future prosperity and comfort.

While "something borrowed" and "something new" are pretty easy requirements to fulfill for the bride's trousseau, "something blue" is often the most open to interpretation and is often utilized through fashion accessories. Some brides "keep it true" by wearing blue in their hair with ribbons or fascinators, on their feet with shoes, or with flowers. However, perhaps the easiest and most dazzling way to don blue is with gemstone jewelry.

Sapphires are the most popular blue gemstone and known for their deep, velvety hue caused by iron traces within corundum, the mineral species the gemstone comes from. Like most gemstones, sapphire carries with it much symbolic significance. Throughout the ages it has come to represent fidelity, honesty, and royalty. During the Greco-Roman period, monarchs used sapphires as protective talismans against their enemies. By the Dark Ages, the gem became a clergy standard that not only echoed the blue that symbolized the Virgin Mary but also represented heaven. Sapphires have a strong romantic association. Who can forget the stunning fairy-tale sapphire engagement ring England's Prince Charles gave to Princess Diana in 1981. Recently, that same ring has been passed on to Kate Middleton by their son Prince William. While Lady Di's ring was a large art piece, most brides would do well to utilize sapphires deftly and on a small scale. Sapphire studs, like these sterling silver earrings can provide an elegant but subtle punctuation to your wedding traditions.

While you don't have to be an aristocrat to afford a sapphire bauble, there are other more frugal gemstone alternatives that should be considered, like blue topaz. Most people associate topaz with its cooler hue, many don't know that topaz is often colorless and is treated to achieve the blue it is most often associated with. Just like sapphire, topaz carries a lot of historical and folkloric meanings. In ancient Greece, topaz was thought to generate strength, whereas in India it was often worn above the heart to imbue the wearer with beauty and longevity. These traditions can easily be wrapped into your own with a pendant, like this 14 white gold slide piece that features a Swiss blue topaz gem.

Whether you want to wear something blue close to the heart or closer to the mind, Noe's Jewelry offers a vast spectrum of blue-toned jewelry and will be happy to consult with you to find the perfect piece for your wedding.