Pearly Whites

Last week we focused on black, and dramatic diamond jewelery - so for the sake of opposites, this week we'll showcase a soft and white wedding classic - pearls!

Pearls can be natural or cultivated. The difference is whether the 'irritant' that the mollusk forms the pearl around occurs spontaneously by nature, or is introduced by human intervention. The majority of today's pearls used in jewelery are cultivated - quality natural pearls are very rare, and come with a matching price tag!

The tradition of wearing pearls on the wedding day has continued for centuries, and the pearl's history can be traced back to ancient Greece, where they were offered as tribute to Aphrodite, the goddess of love.

You can continue the tradition on your own wedding day (or every day - hey, we don't care! Pearls are great with jeans and a blouse) with some lovely non-traditional jewelry from the Etsymetal Team!

From Top to Bottom, L-R:

1) Inbar Bareket

2) Kira Ferrer

3) House on Hudson

4) Lilia Nash Jewelery

5) Rubygirl

6) Sarah Hood Jewelry

7) Cynthia Del Giudice

Shooting stars

Did you see the Perseid meteor shower last weekend?  If not, no fear...  EtsyMetal brings you your own personal star show, appearing upon your command and visible both day and night.  Many EtsyMetal members are expert at making your vision of the universe into a reality, and our team network often enables us to suggest just the right reference when any request is not a perfect match.

These shining examples (above) are by Jen Lawler Designs, where Jen employs top notch stone setting skills and a modern design esthetic to create a bold statement. Whether reaching for the moon in white gold and diamonds or applying the same expert craftsmanship in sterling with topaz, Jen’s signature style cannot be missed, as many happy couples already know.

More star shine in a bold, modern design from Konstanze of Nodeform Weddings. Konstanze’s wedding shop has really grown this year, with a galaxy of beautiful choices to inspire you.  The stunning cushion cut diamond and palladium bridal set above is just one example of her outstanding style.  The team has been very proud to have Etsy tap into Konstanze’s expertise in the Guidance and Planning section of the Etsy Wedding resources!  See the column, Straight from the Jeweler's Mouth, May, 2012.