Thanks to the East India Trading company the paisley eventually made its way into Europe, and became a fashionable design to print on everything from shawls to skirts to bandannas. Throughout its multi-cultural journey, the meaning of the paisley design has been linked to life, love, eternity and royalty, which helps explain why the paisley is often found adorning jewelry, and wedding bands in particular. The paisley’s popularity was also boosted by its modern celebrity admirers; it has been appropriated by both Prince and The Beatles, which is to say that admirers of the paisley design find themselves in the company of pop royalty.

Apples of Gold is not immune to the lure of the paisley design, and carries a lovely selection of paisley wedding bands for our customers. Though we handpick each of the paisley wedding bands added to our collection, we have to admit to playing favorites.  Here are three paisley wedding bands that we can’t take our eyes off of:

Carved Paisley Wedding Band in 14K Gold

What makes this paisley wedding band so unique is the fact that the design is carved out of solid 14K gold. Most paisley designs are etched into a solid piece of gold, while this one is fully cut away, leaving recesses of empty space behind the paisleys. It looks wonderfully unique and beautiful against the skin, and makes an excellent choice for wedding band, promise ring and piece of everyday jewelry.

14K White  Gold Paisley Wedding Band

This solid white gold paisley wedding band (shown at top) is carved deeply into the ring for a recessed effect that really makes the paisley design pop. Further highlighting the paisleys are two thinly carved ropes that line either side of the design for added visual interest.The ring has a comfort fit design meant for continual wear.

Paisley Engraved Wedding Band in 14K White Gold

The paisley design in this solid 14K white gold wedding band are much more subtle than in the previous two rings. It’s the ideal wedding band option for people who love the paisley’s symbolic meaning but don’t like to make overt statements with their jewelry. As with the previous wedding band, this one has a comfort fit design that makes all day wear easy and comfortable.

For discerning couples seeking seriously unique wedding bands, we are excited to introduce a few new pieces in our collection of wedding rings. From super simple to elaborately designed, these handsome wedding bands are just the thing for couples who appreciate the unusual. 

Paisley Carved Wedding Band

The design itself of this wedding band isn’t as uncommon as the fact that the paisleys are fully carved out. A blank recess behind the actual design lets the skin show through beneath the design for a strikingly modern take on a vintage design. The thick 9 mm width of this wedding band allows it to be won by both sexes, so couples can get matching bands.

Woven Rope Wedding Band

Couples who appreciate the beauty of simplicity will shine in this unique wedding band. Three thin pieces of solid white gold are woven around each other for a rope effect that is unlike any other wedding band. Guys and girls who love the look of yellow and rose gold can also have this stunning ring made in solid yellow gold, solid rose gold, platinum, or even tricolor gold (as pictured), each woven strand made with a different color gold.

Flexible Designer Wedding Band

If fine watches are part of a guy’s standard accessories, this flexible designer wedding band (shown at top left) will no doubt have tremendous appeal. Inspired by the interlocking, flexible links of a gold watch band, this unusual wedding band really showcases a man’s style.  Additionally, the flexibility of the ring makes it very comfortable to wear, which is always a huge plus for a men’s wedding band.

When finding a matching diamond engagement ring and wedding band is not done from the outset, many engaged men find themselves in a predicament when the wedding looms and it’s time to find a coordinating band.  Unless the engagement ring is a simple ring with few distinguishing shapes or characteristics, many guys have to spring for the cost of a custom made wedding band in order to match their chosen engagement ring.  This is not only a time-consuming process, it is also much costlier than buying a pre-made diamond bridal band.

Diamond Bridal Sets: A Savvy Solution

One of the easiest, most logical ways to avoid the predicament of mismatched engagement ring and wedding band is to purchase a beautiful diamond bridal set.  Not only are diamond bridal sets often a better deal than buying the two rings separately, they are guaranteed to match perfectly, regardless of the engagement ring’s unique shape and characteristics. It’s an ideal solution that the couple can agree on: she will love the fact that the bridal set matches, and he will love the great deal and simplified shopping; a win-win for both parties.

Three Diamond Bridal Sets We Love (Shhh… They’re A Bargain Too)

Ironically, three of our favorite diamond bridal sets are each under a thousand dollars. The total carat weights range from 1/3 carat to a sizeable 3/4 carat, giving them an impressive sparkle she will love.

The Traditional Diamond Bridal Set

Over half a carat of diamonds is set in this 14K solid white gold bridal ring set for a stunning effect (diamond bridal set shown at top left). The look is very classic and traditional, with one large center stone held in place with prongs surrounded by small channel diamonds and a matching diamond band.

The Vintage Style Diamond Bridal Set

The vintage style diamond bridal set (above, right) is Art Deco inspired and sparkles with nearly 3/4 carats of diamonds. The center diamond is surrounded by two halos of pave diamonds that also dust the band for endless shimmer. This diamond bridal set catches the light like no other, and the halos visually enlarge the engagement ring’s center stone.

The Antique Diamond Bridal Set

The antique style has been making a huge comeback for diamond wedding rings, which is why we just love this romantic diamond bridal set (at left). The shape of the engagement ring is unique and highly detailed, and the curved white gold band follows the shape perfectly for a flush fit that looks like it was custom made.

However, thanks to the current state of the economy, now is actually a great time to purchase a diamond wedding band. The cost of gold and diamonds has dropped, and jewelers are more willing than ever to negotiate a good deal and offer special value-priced wedding bands to help boost business. We at Apples of Gold want couples who have their hearts set on a beautiful diamond wedding band to be able to afford the ring of their dreams, even in a tough economy.

To make their dreams reality, we offer a number of high quality diamond engagement rings at affordable prices and also have .75 Carat Diamond wedding bands for an unheard of value.  These diamond wedding bands  can be ordered for both women and men with discriminating tastes who want wedding jewelry with the lasting symbolism of a diamond.  And since many couples prefer to buy matching wedding bands, our affordable diamond wedding bands can be purchased as a set for an even better discount.

Unlike other jewelers, who sometimes use low-quality diamonds for the smaller stones set in wedding bands, we set ourselves apart by only choosing high quality, G Color and SI1 clarity of better diamonds for our rings. The beautiful color, clarity and cut of our affordable diamond wedding bands makes them much more than just a bargain, they are impressive wedding bands that happen to be a great value as well.

The beauty of a diamond cross pendant is that it doubles as lifelong jewelry as well as a wedding day religious symbol.  Because of this, many brides receive diamond cross necklaces as wedding day presents from their family or the groom. Wearing the new cross necklace for a wedding gives the piece a lovely sentimental value, and it comes to represent the beginning of the husband and wife’s new life together. It also serves as a reminder of the couple’s faith and their religious influences that helped them reach the point of marriage.

Though the notion of the wedding day being ‘the best day in your life’ is a bit trite, it certainly will go down in your life’s history as one of the most unforgettable days. There are so few times in our lives that we have the chance to be surrounded by all of our loved ones, family and friends, and even fewer times when we take the day to celebrate our love with the person we’ve chosen to spend our life with.

People might not remember what flavor the cake was served at your wedding, or the type of flowers used in the arrangements, but they will always remember the love in the air and the fact that they witnessed the beginning of your life together. So many things incorporated into modern weddings are fleeting, but by wearing a special piece of jewelry for the first time on your wedding day, you create a special meaning and symbolism every time you wear it for the rest of your life.

Though many of today’s weddings no longer focus on the theme of purity, marriage is still a leap of faith in which two people  pledge to build a life together.  The virtues of faith, trust, love and patience are hallmarks of a successful marriage, which is perhaps why pearls are still relevant symbols of a modern marriage.  Even for women who only love pearl jewelry because of the beautiful vintage aesthetic, it’s undeniable that the simple pearl makes a simply stunning wedding day accessory.  On that note, here are some of our favorite bridal pearl bracelets that we’re excited to introduce:

8-9 mm Freshwater White Pearl Bracelet

Since the beauty of pearls is their simplicity, one of the best ways to show them off is with a clean, classic design.  This lovely freshwater white pearl bracelet is crafted with AAAA quality pearls; pearls that make the highest grade in every category.  The superior quality and luster of this pearl bracelet makes it a perfect wedding day pick for brides who want the best. It’s rare that this quality can be found at such an incredible price.

Cultured Black Pearl Double Strand Bracelet

Bold brides will make a dramatic statement with this double strand black pearl bracelet (seen at top).  Black pearl jewelry paired with a white wedding gown is such a gorgeous contrast, especially if one of the wedding colors is gray or black. This cultured black pearl bracelet is such a gem (pun intended), and is finished off with a pretty white gold clasp.

White Gold and Diamond South Sea Pearl Bangle

Modern, clean and striking, this gorgeous white gold bangle is set with two exquisite South Sea pearls. The rarest and most beautiful pearls in the world, South Sea pearls are an extremely coveted gemstone.  Only the finest pieces of jewelry are crafted with rare South Sea pearls, making this pearl bangle an ideal piece of bridal jewelry.

If you love what you see, be sure to check out the rest of Apples of Gold’s selection of stunning pearl bracelets. For ladies who love pearls but prefer earrings, our article on Pearl Earrings for the Wedding features several lovely options for the bride with style.

Since most brides are already wearing their engagement ring on their wedding day (and will soon also be wearing a wedding band), additional ring jewelry is not commonly worn as a bridal accessory.  Although this convention has been challenged with the adorable trend of bridal cocktail rings, pearl necklaces, bracelets and earrings are still far more common bridal accessories than pearl rings. We love the look of wedding day pearls and want to highlight some of our favorite options for pearl bridal jewelry. This week we’re focusing on the timeless pearl earring, which we think perfectly frames the face of a glowing bride.

Tahitian Pearl & Diamond Opera Dangle Earrings

When it comes to pearls, a Tahitian black pearl is the rarest and most coveted. For women infusing their wedding with vintage glamour, this pair of opera dangle earrings is sheer perfection. Just make sure to pair them with very simple additional accessories to let them take center stage and shine.

10 mm White Pearl and Diamond Drop Earrings

These pearl and diamond drop earrings (pictured at top) are the ultimate classic. They could have been worn in the 1940s or 50s and have looked just as stunning and apropos as they would on today’s modern bride.  Even better, they are the kind of earring that can be dressed up or down and taken just about anywhere. When making a jewelry investment, wearability is a key influencer in the  item’s worth; precisely why this gorgeous pair of earrings is worth every cent.

Golden Pearl and Sapphire Earrings

Two golden South Sea pearls dangle alluringly from a clean row of amber colored sapphires in this lovely pair of earrings. Though this is the same design as the earrings above, they make an entirely different statement in the warm hue. The amber sapphires and golden pearls make these earrings an ideal choice for a cozy autumn wedding.

South Sea Pearl Diamond Pave Stud Earrings

These stunning little studs are perfectly ladylike. They would be absolutely lovely paired with a bateau neckline wedding gown or other high-neck creation, or worn as a set with a pretty white pearl necklace.  Like the white pearl and diamond drop earrings, this is one piece of jewelry that can be worn with anything and will stand the test of time.

Whether the hearts are a traditional design, are abstract, or come covered in diamonds, we have a lovely selection of wedding bands with hearts for an engaged couple to choose from. Here are some of our favorites:

Two Tone Heart Wedding Band

The great thing about this wedding band is that the hearts are woven together in an abstract way. The result is a romantic band with hearts up close, but a cool abstract design from a distance. This unique band also comes in pure white gold for those who aren’t fans of the two-tone look.

1 Carat Diamond and Heart Engagement Ring

If you love the heart wedding band above, you will adore this 1 carat diamond and heart band engagement ring. The stunning 1 carat diamond center stone is flanked by a white gold band with the same interlocking heart design. It’s ideal for the woman who loves romance with a touch of whimsy, and it comes at an equally lovely price.

Celtic Heart Knot Wedding Band

This ring has an intricate heart design that is more subtle than overt. Celtic knots are always popular ring designs, and the heart knot is particularly lovely and meaningful for a wedding band.  The ring is made of 14K yellow and white gold, but also comes in 18K white gold, in rose gold and in 18K two-tone gold.

Blue and White Diamond Heart Ring

Women who prefer to wear a thicker wedding band in lieu of pairing an engagement ring with a small band will love this statement-making heart ring. Covered in tiny blue and white pave diamonds, the ring consists of five hearts nestled between two diamond covered bands.

Right Hand Heart Rings

For girls who love heart designs on their rings but aren’t looking for a wedding band, there are still a plethora of beautiful options to take a look at. Two of our favorites happen to be the heart-shape Australian pearl and diamond ring and the South Sea heart shaped ring. These are powerful enough that they would make  stunning alternatives to the traditional engagement ring.

Our favorite way to incorporate something blue into the bride’s wedding day ensemble is to pick a stunning piece of jewelry with a blue stone. Sapphire, blue topaz and aquamarine are lovely blue hued gemstones for a bride to choose.  Brides who prefer a quiet, understated something blue should choose small blue gemstone and diamond earrings.  By wearing delicate studs or earrings with just a small drop, the ’something blue’ is not overpowering; it’s a subtle compliment to the wedding dress.

On that note, here are some of our favorite subtle – and gorgeous – ’something blue’ earrings for the bride:

Emerald Cut Diamond and Blue Topaz Earrings

These earrings are crafted in a classic vintage design with timeless appeal. Brides striving for that vintage, romantic aesthetic would be well served by the beautiful blue topaz and diamond studs on their wedding day.  We also love that these earrings are versatile enough to be worn everyday as well.

Oval Shaped Sapphire and Diamond Flower Stud Earrings

Like the earrings above, these delicate beauties also have a vintage allure (pictured at top left).  Dainty oval sapphires are surrounded by a burst of diamonds totaling nearly a half carat in weight – simply stunning, and perfect for the bride incorporating a vintage theme into her wedding attire.

Pear Shaped Blue Topaz and Diamond Drop Earrings

For a little more flair, these pear shaped blue topaz drop earrings are an ideal pick. A small drop gives them extra oomph and the modern shape is great for brides who want small earrings that still make a statement. Best of all, they are a steal at under $200.

If we haven’t highlighted your favorite pair of gemstone earrings in this article, be sure to check out our extensive selection of gemstone jewelry. From modern cocktail rings to vintage inspired styles, Apples of Gold has pieces for the everday and the extraordinary.

photo via evoke photography

One idea we love is the wrapping of a rosary around the bridal bouquet to carry down the aisle. Not only does it look gorgeous and really dress up the bouquet in pictures, it’s a great way to add personal meaning to your bouquet. Many brides choose to carry a rosary that has been passed down in the family, making it their something old or something borrowed. If you already have a lovely rosary that belonged to a cherished aunt or grandma, make sure you let your florist know you will bring it on the day of the wedding so she can secure it to your bouquet.

photo via The Knot

For brides who want to carry a rosary but don’t have one yet, Apples of Gold carries the most exquisite gold rosary that comes in three different varieties:

Solid 14K Gold Rosary Prayer Necklace

This rosary (shown at top left) is stunning up close and in person. It features detailed 14K gold rosary beads strung on a 14K gold chain, and an intricately crafted crucifix with Jesus’ body. This 29” long rosary is family heirloom quality, perfect for passing down through the generations to start your own rosary wedding tradition for future children and grandchildren.

Tri Color 14K Gold Rosary Prayer Necklace

The tri color gold rosary prayer necklace is two inches longer than the previous, and is a modern spin on the beautiful tradition of carrying a rosary. For brides on a tight budget, consider the smaller tri color gold rosary prayer necklace, which is a few hundred dollars cheaper but just as beautiful.