When Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten proposed to Princess Elizabeth in 1947, he did so using diamonds taken from his mother’s antique tiara. Ever the romantic, he also commissioned his jeweller to create an Art Deco-style bracelet using the remainder of the stones, which he gave to his bride on the eve of their wedding. She wore the bracelet alongside a diamond tiara that had belonged to her grandmother, as well as a pair of heirloom pearl and diamond earrings. The late Queen followed a tradition that dates back to Queen Victoria, who wore a diamond necklace and earrings given to her by the Sultan of Turkey for her own wedding in 1840. The custom continues today with brides (royal or otherwise) choosing diamonds as a timeless finishing touch, whatever their wedding-day style.
Diamonds are a universal symbol of love, strength and eternity. Their brilliance captures and reflects light like no other gemstone, providing an ethereal radiance that’s perfect for brides. Unlike the wedding gown, veil or tiara, diamond jewellery can be re-worn forever as an eternal reminder of that special day. While that eye-wateringly expensive dress hangs in its dust-bag, a pair of diamond earrings or a pendant can be enjoyed every day; so that before you’ve reached your silver anniversary, the cost-per-wear is practically zero.
Today the wedding industry is actively seeking ways to become more sustainable. Couples are making conscious choices about their suppliers, venues, florists and caterers, prioritising those who place ethics and provenance front and centre. Sustainability is in some ways inherent in fine jewellery: made from precious, long-lasting materials, it carries intrinsic value that can be passed down through generations. But many brides want more; they also want to know that their jewellery was produced in a way that caused no harm to people or the planet.
A revolution in the industry, SkyDiamond are the only diamonds made with materials harnessed from the sky. Rather than mined from the earth and shipped across the globe, carbon-negative SkyDiamond are created, cut and polished at the company’s renewable-energy-powered facility in Gloucestershire. Carbon is captured from the atmosphere using a propriety methodology, before being heated and pressurised in a process driven by sunlight and wind-power, to create rough diamond crystals. Chemically and physically identical to rough diamonds mined from the earth, those stones are cut, polished and set into pieces that carry the same ethereal elegance as traditionally produced jewellery, with the added bonus of being carbon-negative by design and conflict-free.
From classic diamond studs to delicate solitaire pendants, SkyDiamond jewellery is made for modern brides to enjoy on their wedding day and every day thereafter. Because while our mothers or grandmothers might have saved their diamond jewellery for special occasions, today we’re free to pair our wedding earrings with everything from jeans or sportswear while running errands, to a chic two-piece for lunch with the girls, to a little black dress for a night out. Likewise, the dainty diamond pendant that provided just enough sparkle with your wedding gown easily slots into your daily jewellery uniform – whether worn alone or layered alongside other necklaces, forever symbolising your big day.
Diamond eternity bands are traditionally given to mark the birth of a child, but there’s no need to follow convention. They have become hugely popular as wedding bands, complementing a diamond engagement ring while adding extra sparkle and glamour to the stack.
The beauty of diamond wedding-day jewellery is that there are infinite opportunities to wear it, and endless ways to style it. You’ll treasure it forever as a reminder of your day, and pass on to your grandchildren along with the incredible story of its creation. So while you debate veil lengths and tablescape options, sustainable, guilt-free bridal jewellery is one point to tick off your to-do list.
Shop the collection here: skydiamond.com
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