Planning a wedding in 2026? You've probably already experienced sticker shock. Venues, catering, photography—it all adds up fast. And then you start shopping for jewelry.
I recently spoke with a bride who was quoted $650 for a simple pair of gold earrings at a bridal boutique. When she asked why they were so expensive, the sales associate said, "Because they're for your wedding day." As if getting married somehow changes the molecular structure of gold.
Let's talk about what wedding jewelry actually costs to make, what you're really paying for, and how to get quality pieces without the traditional retail markup.
What Actually Goes Into Wedding Jewelry?
The truth about jewelry pricing isn't complicated—it's just not something most retailers want you to know.
A typical $400 gold necklace breaks down like this:
- Materials cost: $35-50 (gold vermeil over sterling silver base)
- Manufacturing: $15-25 (skilled craftsmanship)
- Quality control: $5-10
- Packaging: $3-5
- Actual cost to make: $60-90
So where does the other $310-340 go?
- Retail store rent and overhead (30-40%)
- Sales commissions (10-15%)
- Marketing and advertising (15-20%)
- Multiple middlemen markups (20-30%)
- Brand "prestige" pricing (the rest)
This is why direct-to-consumer brands can sell you the same quality for $80-120. They skip the expensive retail stores and unnecessary middlemen.
The Wedding Jewelry Market Has a Problem
Walk into most jewelry stores and you'll find two options:
Option 1: Cheap costume jewelry ($20-100)
- Plated metals that wear off in weeks
- Base metals that turn skin green
- Causes allergic reactions
- Looks fake in photos
Option 2: Fine jewelry ($500-3,000+)
- Solid gold or platinum
- Beautiful but unrealistic for most budgets
- Creates debt before you even say "I do"
What's missing? A middle ground—real quality materials at honest prices.
That's why we started Hermin. Not to compete with Tiffany's (they're not going anywhere), but to give people access to genuine sterling silver and gold vermeil without the traditional markup.
How to Choose Wedding Jewelry That Actually Works
Forget the sales pitch for a minute. Here's what actually matters when choosing jewelry for your wedding:
1. Match Your Dress Neckline (This Is Non-Negotiable)
Strapless or sweetheart neckline? You need something to fill that visual space. A simple pendant necklace (16-18 inches) works perfectly. Think delicate, not dramatic.
V-neck or plunging? Either wear a longer necklace (18-20 inches) that follows the neckline, or skip the necklace entirely and focus on statement earrings.
High neck or collar? Skip the necklace. Seriously. It'll either hide under the dress or clash with the neckline. Put your budget toward beautiful earrings instead.
Off-shoulder? You have options! A short necklace (14-16 inches) or choker shows off your collarbone beautifully. Or go minimal with the necklace and wear statement earrings.
2. Consider Your Hairstyle
This seems obvious, but I've seen brides spend $200 on gorgeous drop earrings only to wear their hair down and completely hide them in photos.
Hair up? Go for statement earrings. Your face is fully visible and earrings become the focal point.
Hair down? Keep earrings subtle (small hoops or studs) and let a necklace shine instead.
Half-up? You have the most flexibility. Medium drops or hoops work great.
3. Think About 12+ Hour Wear
Your wedding day is long. Getting ready at 10am, ceremony at 4pm, reception until midnight. That's 14 hours of wearing jewelry.
Heavy chandelier earrings? Your ears will hate you by hour 3.
Uncomfortable clasps? You'll be adjusting them all day instead of enjoying your wedding.
Cheap metals? Hello, green neck and irritated ears.
This is where quality actually matters—not for Instagram, but for your actual comfort.
What "Hypoallergenic" Actually Means (And Why It Matters)
About 10-15% of people have nickel allergies. If you're one of them, cheap jewelry can ruin your wedding day with red, itchy, painful skin.
Metals to avoid if you have sensitive skin:
- Nickel (common in cheap "silver" jewelry)
- Brass or copper (turns skin green)
- Low-quality gold plating (often has nickel underneath)
Safe options:
- Sterling silver (925 silver - look for the stamp)
- Gold vermeil (thick gold layer over sterling silver)
- Solid gold (if budget allows)
- Platinum (expensive but completely hypoallergenic)
Every piece we make is nickel-free and lead-free. Not because it's trendy, but because we've gotten too many emails from brides who broke out in hives on their wedding day from cheap jewelry. Never again.
Gold Vermeil vs. Gold Plated: Know the Difference
This confuses everyone, so let's clear it up:
Gold Plated:
- Thin layer of gold (0.5 microns or less)
- Can be over any base metal (often brass or copper)
- Wears off in weeks or months
- Cheap ($10-50)
Gold Vermeil:
- Thick layer of gold (minimum 2.5 microns, we use 3-5 microns)
- Must be over sterling silver base (by law)
- Lasts years with proper care
- Higher quality ($50-150)
If someone is selling "gold vermeil" for $15, it's not real gold vermeil. The materials alone cost more than that.
Real Wedding Jewelry Budgets
Let's be realistic about what people actually spend:
The Pinterest fantasy: $50 total for gorgeous, high-quality bridal jewelry Reality: Not happening with quality materials
The traditional retail trap: $800-2,000 for a complete set Reality: Unnecessary markup, not better quality
The smart middle ground: $150-350 for quality pieces you'll wear again Reality: What most brides actually need
Our most popular bridal combinations:
Set 1: Classic Elegance ($156)
- Simple gold vermeil studs: $42
- Delicate pendant necklace: $78
- Thin chain bracelet: $36
Set 2: Modern Minimal ($189)
- Sterling silver huggie hoops: $59
- Simple bar necklace: $82
- Small bangle: $48
Set 3: Statement Bride ($284)
- Gold vermeil drop earrings: $118
- Layered chain necklace: $106
- Tennis bracelet: $60
Compare that to department store pricing ($600-1,200 for similar quality) and the savings become obvious.
Bridesmaid Jewelry: A Smarter Approach
The traditional advice is to give each bridesmaid identical jewelry. But here's what actually works better:
Give them the same style in different metals.
Instead of forcing everyone into gold, offer the same earring or necklace design in:
- Yellow gold vermeil
- Rose gold vermeil
- Sterling silver
Let each person choose what flatters their skin tone. They'll actually wear them again, and the photos look more natural (not like matching bridesmaids dolls).
Budget breakdown:
- Traditional approach: $150-300 per bridesmaid for "bridal party jewelry"
- Smarter approach: $40-80 per person for quality pieces they'll actually wear
For a party of 5 bridesmaids, that's $700-1,500 in savings.
When to Buy Your Wedding Jewelry
6 months before: Start browsing and pinning inspiration
3-4 months before: Make your decision and order
- Gives you time to try everything with your dress
- Break in earrings if needed
- No last-minute stress
DO NOT wait until 2 weeks before
- Shipping delays happen
- You need time to ensure comfort
- Returns/exchanges take time
The Jewelry Care Reality Check
Let's be honest: nobody wants to spend their wedding morning polishing jewelry.
Before the wedding:
- Wear your earrings for a few hours to break them in
- Store everything in anti-tarnish pouches
- Clean with a soft cloth the day before
On the wedding day:
- Put jewelry on LAST (after makeup, hair, perfume)
- Have your maid of honor guard it during getting-ready chaos
- Bring backup studs if you're wearing drops (just in case)
After the wedding:
- Wipe off makeup/sweat with a soft cloth
- Store properly (we include storage pouches)
- Wear them again! These aren't costume pieces
What We Actually Recommend
Every Hermin piece is made from:
- Full-body 925 sterling silver (not plated)
- 14K or 18K gold vermeil (thick layer, not cheap plating)
- Nickel-free, lead-free materials
- Designed for all-day comfort
That's not marketing language—it's literally what we make. Check the product descriptions if you don't believe me.
We're not right for everyone:
If you want luxury brand names for the prestige, we're not your store. Go to Tiffany's (seriously, their jewelry is beautiful).
If you need solid 14K gold or platinum for investment/heirloom pieces, we're not the best option. Visit a fine jeweler.
But if you want quality materials at honest prices without the retail markup, we built this company for you.
Questions Brides Actually Ask Us
"Can I shower with gold vermeil?" Not recommended. Water + soap + chemicals = faster wear. Take jewelry off before showering.
"Will my silver jewelry tarnish?" Sterling silver does tarnish naturally when exposed to air. It's physics, not poor quality. A quick polish every few months keeps it shiny.
"How long does gold vermeil last?" With proper care (no showering, store properly, wipe after wearing), 2-5+ years of regular wear. We've had customers wearing the same pieces for 3 years daily with no visible wear.
"What if my ears are really sensitive?" Try our pieces for a few hours at home first. Sterling silver and gold vermeil are hypoallergenic, but everyone's skin is different. If you react, return them.
"Can I mix metals?" Yes! Mixed metals (gold + silver) is very trendy in 2026. A silver necklace with gold earrings creates dimension and looks modern.
The Actual Bottom Line
Your wedding jewelry budget should not stress you out. You don't need to spend $1,000 to look beautiful in photos.
What you actually need:
- ✓ Quality materials that won't irritate your skin
- ✓ Comfortable pieces you can wear for 12+ hours
- ✓ Styles that complement your dress and look timeless in photos
- ✓ Prices that don't require a payment plan
That's what we try to provide. No false scarcity ("only 3 left!"), no fake urgency, no manipulative marketing. Just honest jewelry at fair prices.
Browse what we have. If something works for your wedding, great. If not, that's fine too.
Shop Wedding Jewelry
By Type:
By Metal:
- Gold Vermeil Collection - 14K & 18K options
- Sterling Silver Collection - Classic & modern
By Price:
Need help choosing? Email us at hello@shophermin.com - real people, real responses.
Article written by the Hermin team | Last updated January 21, 2026 We ship nationwide across the United States - from California to New York, Texas to Washington
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