Bridal Diamond Cross Pendants

Even as modern brides are choosing to hold non-religious ceremonies outside the church, many are still looking for ways to honor their religion and heritage.  Religious readings, rosary-wrapped bridal bouquets and group prayer are just some of the ways brides are adding religious meaning to non-traditional ceremonies.   For brides looking to incorporate religion into their wedding day with style, we think wearing a diamond cross pendant can be a stunning solution.

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.

Purity Rings: A Commitment to Virtue

Despite the popularity of sex, drugs and violence in the media, many young teens are turning their backs on these themes and instead turning to the Bible. In schools across the country, focusing on religion and purity is becoming a popular way of life for many middle school and high school students. From idols like the Jonas Brothers and Disney’s Selena Gomez to city kids and country teens, America’s youth is embracing purity as a socially accepted lifestyle. As a symbol of their commitment to religious ideals, these teens are choosing to wear ‘purity rings’ to proudly show off their beliefs to the world; a daily reminder of their desire to be virtuous.

What Exactly Does Purity Mean?

Purity encompasses a range of virtues, but the general idea is behind it is to possess a pure heart, pure mind and pure spirit. Being ‘pure’ is about purging sin from one’s life in order to embrace living in accordance to the virtues of the Bible. The well-known biblical quote “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” from Matthew sums up the drive behind teenagers’ commitment to purity. By living a virtuous life, the hope is that they will become closer to God and their religion.

Why Wear a Purity Ring?

Though purity rings receive the most notoriety for the wearer’s commitment to abstinence, it also encompasses much more than that. Being pure also means treating others kindly, generously, and setting a good example for others. Wearing a purity ring serves as a daily reminder of one’s promise to God and commitment to being virtuous. The meaning is similar to that of a wedding band; a powerful symbol of the person’s vows and commitment.

Where Can I Buy a Purity Ring?

A number of fine jewelry establishments sell purity rings, and Apples of Gold is proud to be among those retailers. We carry a wide selection of purity rings for both males and females who want to make a commitment to leading a virtuous life. Some of our favorite purity rings include a cross symbol on the jewelry to signify faith, including these two reasonably priced options:

Maltese Cross Diamond and White Gold Purity Ring

Simple and lovely, this purity ring (pictured at top) features a Maltese cross centered on the delicate solid white gold band and dotted with diamonds for a beautiful sparkle.

Cross and Heart Purity Ring in Diamond and Ruby or Diamond and Tanzanite

These beautiful purity rings come in solid white gold and the sparkle of diamonds plus the pop of color from a center stone ruby or tanzanite (above right).

If you are looking for a unique purity ring, check out our main page filled with beautiful purity ring designs for men and women.

Byzantine-Inspired Diamond Cross Pendants

The most conspicuous characteristic of Byzantine Art (circa 4th Century through 1453 at the Fall of Constantinople) manifests itself in anti-naturalistic shapes. If classical art–which immediately followed medieval Byzantine art–was marked by realism, Byzantine art abandoned verisimilitude in favor of a more symbolic rendition of life.

Although not fully abstract in the ways that we think of abstract art today, Byzantine art was rendered using irregular shapes and angles in approaching life around it. Architecture in Byzantine art seemed to float over walls and structures in a separate reality independent of natural limits.

Marlilyn Stokstad eminently captures this in words: “No longer were images conceived of as windows opening into the world of matter. On the contrary, a Byzantine mosaic aimed to transcend matter and capture the intangible world of the spirit” (Medieval Art, Second Edition).

In the form of the Byzantine Diamond Cross Pendant (above) and the Rustic Diamond Cross Pendant (right), the flat Roman cross is stylized with dramatic flourishes and irregular patterns favoring a more symbolic and aesthetically pleasing allocation of the cross not supported by naturalistic sensibilities.

The only linear resemblance of the byzantine cross to the plain flat Roman cross on whose frame the Body of Christ was crucified, are the 4 arms and the foundational cross-shape that cannot be mistaken.

The Byzantine Diamond Cross Pendant from Apples of Gold Jewelry (above) is set with 0.50 Carats of diamonds and measures 1″ wide x 1 1/3″ tall.

The Rustic Diamond Cross Pendant is set with 0.44 Carats of diamonds and measures 3/4″ wide x 1″ tall (or 1 5/16″ tall with hoop/bale).

View more Gold Crosses from Apples of Gold, including Diamond Cross Pendants, Celtic Cross Pendants, Gemstone Cross Pendants, and Gold Crucifix Pendants.

The Acrostic Diamond Icthus Pendant

Apples of Gold’s fashion-conscious Diamond Icthus Pendant in White Gold is a perfect way to express your faith in Jesus Christ–without giving up your sense 0f style.

The icthus is an acrostic symbol that early Christians used to covertly identify themselves in the face of Roman persecution.

When two Christians met, one may draw half of the arc of the fish on the ground with a stick and the other believer would complete it.

The icthus, or Greek for fish, is an acrostic symbol, which in Greek is spelled, “ICQUS” or “ICTUS” (translated):

I = Iesous (Jesus)

C = Christos (Christ)

T = Theou (God)

U = Uiou (Son)

S= Soter (Savior)

Set with 32 diamonds equaling 0.10 carats of white diamonds, the pendant hangs from an 18″ white gold chain. Makes the perfect gift.

Display proudly today what was once swathed in secrecy.

View More Christian and Religious Pendants from Apples of Gold Jewelry, including diamond cross pendants and gold cross pendants.