June 24, 2011

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Your maids are the remarkable women you always count on for support, the amazing ladies with whom you share your most intimate secrets. They give of themselves to help make your wedding day special—and now you have the opportunity to show them your appreciation. Express your friendship with a thoughtful little keepsake that sparkles in the light.

Baubles for Bridesmaids

The new Tiffany Locks collection will forever remind your maids of the important role they played on the biggest day of your life. Based on Tiffany archival designs, these detailed pendants and charms are fashioned as hearts, half circles and round shapes in 18-karat yellow and rose gold as well as sterling silver. Some are hammered, others are polished to a high gleam and several actually function as locks. If you prefer to splurge on what is sure to become an heirloom, check out Tiffany’s heart pendant, handcrafted in platinum and covered with pavé diamonds. The Tiffany Locks collection ranges from $80 to $5,500 and is available at select Tiffany & Co. stores (800-843-3269; tiffany.com).

Another hip option is fun jewelry from Anthropologie’s new wedding line called Bhldn. We especially love the Sea Star Posts ($140), a perfect accessory for seashore weddings; pearly Blushing Clusters drop earrings ($75); and yummy Caviar and Crystal Drops ($60). Or honor your pretty maids with the very wearable Gold-on-Gold necklace ($160) and they’ll reach for it again and again. All are available at bhldn.com.

If you’re buying for a bevy of bridesmaids and are budget conscious, consider an affordable New Jersey-based resource, Stewart-Morris Awards and Gifts in Madison (973-822-2777; stewart-morris.com). Stewart-Morris carries the HeartStrings line of engravable jewelry, and co-owner Ginger Lein says she sells a tremendous number of sterling-silver pendants, earrings and bracelets for bridesmaids’ gifts. “Our entire HeartStrings line comes with a free monogram,” Lein says. “Busy brides especially like us because we can turn around custom orders in about a week. Pendants in all shapes and sizes are very popular, and chains are sold separately. We also sell a lot of bridal keepsake items like silver boxes and picture frames.”

Most HeartStrings earrings cost less than $30, and the average monogrammed pendant (without chain) is priced under $60. Lein says that some brides choose pendants with twisted black cords rather than traditional chains. Pendant personalization is usually done in interlocking script, and many brides are including engraved messages on the back of their pendants for an additional fee.