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Jewelry excitement!! and help?

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karasue91

karasue91

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Aug 27, 2007
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I found out a few months ago that my aunt has a crystal necklace that used to be my grandmothers. She died before I was even 3 so I never knew her but I have always felt a special connection to her because I look a lot like her and we have similar builds, plus it sounds like our personalities were very similar. So, when my aunt told me she had her necklace and asked if I would like to wear it for the wedding, needless to say I was thrilled. It''s not worth much at all, just some old Austrian crystal beads with aurora borealis finish but the necklace is gorgeous and I was thinking I would like to do something a little chunkier than just a simple chain.

So, I took a picture of the necklace when I was wearing it the only time I''ve tried it on and photoshopped it onto a picture of myself in the dress. I was thinking just some simple earrings (I''ve been hinting to FI that I want some diamond studs as a wedding present....if that doesn''t work out I''ll wear something equally simple) and I would really like to wear a bracelet too. The picture here makes the necklace look much brighter than it really will be, it was just caught in the light when we took it.

So, is it too chunky? Should I have it shortened a little or leave it a little longer like it is? I think I like it a little longer but what do you all think? Also what kind of bracelet? I don''t normally wear bracelets but I think it would add. The veil in the pic is my veil too. I''ll post a full pic of the dress and another pic of the necklace in a little different light too....

Dora 002 resized w necklace2.JPG
 
Hi Kara! OOOh, I love it! It is soooo pretty, and it''s even more special because of its sentimental/family value. I think it is so pretty and light and feminine...just like Dora!

I think I would shorten it just a tiny bit - for some reason, I feel like it would like the way it looks if it didn''t fall so low/close to the neckline of Dora. Don''t make it choaker-short, but just bring it up a tiny bit.

It''s so pretty! I think it will look great with small diamond studs or something simple like that. As for bracelet...that is a tricky one! What about a pearl and crystal bracelet?
 
here is one with no flash....I''m hoping that in pictures it will be kind of halfway between the two pics...a little brighter than this one, but not as stand-out bright as the first one

necklace_2.JPG
 
Date: 2/5/2008 1:42:17 AM
Author: Future Mrs Polka Dot
Hi Kara! OOOh, I love it! It is soooo pretty, and it's even more special because of its sentimental/family value. I think it is so pretty and light and feminine...just like Dora!

I think I would shorten it just a tiny bit - for some reason, I feel like it would like the way it looks if it didn't fall so low/close to the neckline of Dora. Don't make it choaker-short, but just bring it up a tiny bit.

It's so pretty! I think it will look great with small diamond studs or something simple like that. As for bracelet...that is a tricky one! What about a pearl and crystal bracelet?
Click to expand...
Thanks mpd!! Yeah I think the way I photoshopped it makes a little longer than it actually is....I think after looking at the second pic I posted that it wouldn't come down as far as it is in that first picture. But I'll definitely have to try it on again, my aunt makes jewelry and she asked if I wanted her to shorten it or lenthen it a little so that should be super easy.

Do you think I should nix the bracelet?

ETA: forgot to ask about hair. I was leaning towards up because it will be August but in Calgary it's not humid or particularly hot, and it gets REALLY cool at night. Plus the back of the necklace isn't super gorgeous so maybe half up?
 
Pic of the dress and veil from the back in case anyone has hair suggestions :)

Dora 004 resized2.JPG
 
Oooh, ok - I can see now in your 2nd pic that it''s not quite so long. I bet that will be the perfect length. Can you try both the dress and necklace on together at some point and post for us?
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As far as the bracelet...hmm! I definitely like the idea of a bracelet, so I think you should look for one that works. I''m just trying to envision something that will go well. Can you ask your aunt if she has any ideas since she makes jewelry? I think I''m picturing something with austrian crystals in it also to pull it together? Something delicate and thin? What if you had the bracelet made of one strand of matching austrian crystal, and then a little diamond latch/clasp? That would pull together both your necklace and the diamond earrings?

I dont know...I''m not great at this jewelry stuff! (And I actually struggle each time I have to spell "jewelry!" HAha)

But I love the necklace so much and I know you can get some PSers with better pairing sense to help you out :)
 
kara, it''s a very pretty necklace but I dont think it goes with your wedding dress...It''s a bit too casual for your dress, IMO. What about wearing it for your RD or incorporating it into your bouquet instead?
 
Date: 2/5/2008 2:45:15 AM
Author: surfgirl
kara, it''s a very pretty necklace but I dont think it goes with your wedding dress...It''s a bit too casual for your dress, IMO. What about wearing it for your RD or incorporating it into your bouquet instead?
Click to expand...

ditto! I think it''s a beautiful necklace but I''m not sure that it 100% goes with your dress. I love the idea of incorporating it into your bouquet.
 
I agree with the others. I love the necklace but it doesn''t seem to go with your dress (which is beautiful, by the way). I also agree with Surfgirl and Bee about either wearing your aunt''s necklace to the rehearsal dinner or incorporating it into the bouquet somehow. It''s a special piece of jewelry, so it would be meaningful, I''d assume, to have it be part of your wedding festivities one way or another.
 
I think it does go well with your dress. As I recall yours has all the little polka dots. I think anything more ornate would be too much.
I am not much help on the length since I wear my necklaces short, but try the two together and see how it feels. Given the depth of the neckline I doubt the length would be an issue.
I would nix the bracelet though, if you are looking at simple jewelry then a bracelet might be too much.

If you don''t get your studs, you should consider irradiated topaz. Certain kinds are colorless with that aroura borialis effect and they are very cheap. http://cgi.ebay.com/STUNNING-MERCURY-MIST-MYSTIC-TOPAZ-EARRINGS-14-KT-GOLD_W0QQitemZ320213770282QQihZ011QQcategoryZ110619QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
 
I actually think it looks perfect!! I love antique crystal jewelry, my mother has some as well. Also, it looks graduated in size, is that right? I think graduated necklaces look vintage and fabulous. I especially love that it has sentimental value, and can be your something borrowed. Just my .02!
 
Thanks for everyone''s opinions! Surfgirl, bee, Zoe, I can see what you mean by it being a little casual but it''s actually one of the things I like about it! I like that it makes the dress less formal, we are having an outdoor ceremony by a river and mountains, and our reception hall is not fancy by any stretch of the imagination.

MPD, thanks for the links!! I think I''ll need to go try on some bracelets in person to get a feel for what I like.

Thanks for the idea brazen, I''ll keep those in mind if the studs don''t work out, although FMIL has already offered her diamond studs if I want to borrow them, so I might go that route too.

Miscka, they are graduated size beads, and my aunt added some smaller ones at the back to increase the effect and to add a little length to the necklace too. It actually used to be a bit shorter with 3 strands instead of 2 but she took it apart and restrung it. I really like it a little longer with just 2 strands.

So, anyone have hair ideas? I''ll probably be taking the veil off after the ceremony, or at least one of the layers (one layer is velcro). Up, half up? I definitely need it back off my face, I need to do everything I can to control the oiliness factor that day!

I found this picture and I love it!! Although not off to the side just because I don''t think it would accomodate my veil properly. Also worried that my hair might be a bit thick to be held in place like this....

swirl hair.jpg
 
I think it will look perfect. It is hard for the crystal necklace to show properly in a quick photo, but it should look lovely with the dress. You also cant beat the added family connection and the memories years later the necklace will have for you and your family.

Wear it and show us lots of photos when the day comes.
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d2b
 
Karasue, I think the crystal necklace will be beautiful. I love the family history behind it. For jewelry, you''re right on about diamond studs or something simple. Even short dangly earrings, as long as they are simple. For the bracelet, try to find a very thin, delicate crystal bracelet that is two or three separated strands.

You''re going to look gorgeous!

BTW, I did go to those paper stores you told me about. I could spend ALL day playing around there. I found Paper Icon on that block, and they have this little area in the back with walls covered in letterpress samples. I was droooooooling over their invitations. I got a pretty reasonable quote from them for letterpress invitations. I may try to incorporate the swiss dot design into the letterpress instead of finding dotted tissue paper. Thanks so much for the advice!

2nd BTW, did you see that Jcrew has the cutest swiss dot day dress? Perfect for honeymoon!!!
 
Ugh, I''m so easily sidetracked. Back to your post! The length as it is in the 2nd picture with the black sweater...perfect. Not longer b/c it will distract from the sweetheart neckline and the ruffles.

Hair...I don''t mean for you to totally copy jas12''s look, but it seems like you have similar textured hair? Kinda wavy? With that kind of hair, it''s a crime not to take advantage of its romantic/flirty waves. I like that photo of the bun you posted, but if you have wavy hair...do a loose wavy low bun. SO gorgeous.
 
Date: 2/5/2008 5:14:06 AM
Author: bee*
Date: 2/5/2008 2:45:15 AM

Author: surfgirl

kara, it''s a very pretty necklace but I dont think it goes with your wedding dress...It''s a bit too casual for your dress, IMO. What about wearing it for your RD or incorporating it into your bouquet instead?
Click to expand...


ditto! I think it''s a beautiful necklace but I''m not sure that it 100% goes with your dress. I love the idea of incorporating it into your bouquet.
Click to expand...

I agree with bee and surfgirl. I think it''s a great necklace, but to me it doesn''t really match with you dress (wow by the way
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). Are you allowed to take it apart (depending on the wiring of the necklace) and make it into a great bracelet or earrings? YOu can put it back together after the wedding. I make jewelry myself, and if the wiring permits it, you can totally pull this of and give it a more modern look.
 
Kara, the thing is, pearls would also be very simple and yet they would echo the dots on your dotted Swiss fabric, which is so wonderful. To me, the crystals distract my eye and they''d be very sparkly, especially outdoors, so do you want people to notice the overall YOU, or your necklace, which I think might overwhelm that gorgeous dress and fabric. Pearls. Simple, timeless, and they pull the "dots" together in a way that still allows one to see how amazing that dress is.

That''s my two cents. Whatever you decide, you''ll be lovely I''m sure.
 
hmmm pearls just seem a little toooo classic for me, if you know what i mean? I wear pearls to work almost every day so to me they are a bit more work-y than dressy....

Unfortunately I don''t think I''ll be able to try on the necklace with the dress for a while. My aunt has it with her in Columbus and I''m going to be in Calgary so I need to talk to her and see if she can send it up to me for try-ons!!

Crown....Jas''s hair was gorgeous but my hair is straight as a pin
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It''s pretty thick and can hold a curl decently though, so maybe I could still pull off something similar...kinda up, kinda down, perfectly tousled. I also like your multi-strand idea for the bracelet to kind of mimic the necklace and add a little something down there but not too much.

Thanks everyone!!!
 
Hi Karasue!
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I agree that your grandma''s necklace might not be the "most" formal, but I am a big sentimental girl, so I would wear it if you love it. I wish I had something of my grandma''s to wear on my wedding day, and I envy you that option as I more than likely will have nothing "old" to wear on my wedding day. If you love it, I say go for it...it is a lovely, heartfelt sentiment, and I commend you for going with your heart.
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However, if for some reason you decide it isn''t formal enough or really just doesn''t go with your dress, as some here have pointed out, I have another suggestion that might help you out...

Have you considered either doubling it up to wear as a bracelet or having your aunt actually remake it into a bracelet, maybe single or double-strand for you? (She might not mind this as she said she would shorten it for you already!) Doing that might leave you the option of not only using one or a few of the beads in a pretty drop necklace better suited to the gown''s delicate neckline, but also have enough beads left over to be made into a pair of earrings, thus resulting in a matching 3-piece set, which would flatter the dress and all go together as an intended look for your special day.

Just a thought I figured I should throw out there for you, as I have considered doing the same thing with an old piece of costume jewelry I *think* was my grandma''s (or it could be from a thrift store, who knows???) and would love to put to good use for my wedding if I can. However, mine was broken to begin with, tho, so I won''t feel as bad taking it apart as you might feel with something you are certain was from a loved one, but I do believe in using what you have to work best for YOU, and I think your grandma would agree.

Hope that helps...please let us know what you decide, and I can''t wait to see pictures of it all together!
 
ETA: Oops...sorry! I see Dutchgirlll already suggested taking it apart!

I had left this window open earlier and had meant to reply, then did so without looking back through it.

My apologies for repeating others ideas!
 
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I don''t know why the pictures won''t post.
 
Thanks Crown!! I really like that second one you posted...I need to go look in some stores and figure out what I want. I really don''t wear bracelets ever, so I don''t even know what I like. For some reason I just don''t buy much jewelry (blasphemy on this website, I know!!), but I really like wearing it when I do buy it.

How do you buy from that site anyway? Just contact the owner I guess?
 
Yeah, I think you just have to call and order. Although, I wonder if you can make something similar yourself. I don''t know what the prices are like, but it''s probably fairly easy to find crystal beads. Maybe your aunt can help?
 
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