Jewellery is the key accessory that will accentuate and complete your bridal – no questions about that. And you cannot wed with the symbolic exchange of wedding rings! In this field of ever-changing trends, Brides are left with overwhelming choices and poor souls cannot simply decide on one! So we spoke to the stylish and beautiful couple, Ramzi Razik and Inshirah Ramzi of Ramzi & Co. to help our readers out of this dilemmatic situation and enlighten on what’s in vogue for 2021.
For the brides who place great importance on bridal jewellery, Ramzi and Inshirah take us into the folds of natural gemstones, bridal jewellery trends for the coming year and how brides can choose jewellery that resonates with their true self! Dive into the dazzling deets below!
Ramzi & Co. began its journey towards seeking Sri Lanka’s most exquisite and breathtaking gems over 20 years ago in the City of Gems – the picturesque town of Ratnapura which is rich with its own history. Originally focusing only on gemstones, the company was initially known as Ramzi Gems which was founded by Ramzi’s father – A. M. Razik. Following the launch of the company’s Australian branch in 2014 by Ifthika Razik (Ramzi's sister), the company rebranded and transformed into every bride’s dream jewellery label, Ramzi & Co.! It is now run by its second generation of siblings Ramzi Razik and his wife Inshirah Ramzi, along with his sister – Ifthika Razik. A great legacy of trust and an unrivalled reputation of excellence has preceded the Ramzi & Co. label, and the future has never looked brighter.
In your view, what is the role and significance of jewellery on a wedding day?
Bridal jewellery is as important as the outfit of the bride. Jewellery particularly holds great importance and has certain significance plus traditions attached to it. The intricate designs on layers of jewellery pieces are not only representatives of the handiwork of incredible craftsmen but are also symbolic of several spiritual and cultural traditions followed in different parts of the world.
The tradition of wearing a wedding band on the left-hand comes down from ancient Egypt and the ancestors believed that the vein on this finger had a direct link to one’s heart. By tradition, on the wedding day, brides switch their engagement ring to the right-hand ring finger. Once the bride receives the wedding band from her spouse, the engagement ring can be placed on the same hand as the wedding band. An easy way to remember the order is simple – the wedding band sits closest to your heart.
Wedding rings and mangalsutras hold more importance for a bride in comparison to the other pieces. Wedding rings symbolise one’s commitment and love, and are said to be one of the most important symbols of marriage. The mangalsutra also represents loyalty and commitment as it is tied around the neck of the bride by the groom and thereby goes on to symbolise love and attachment between the couple.
What meaning can bridal jewellery studded with natural gemstones mean to a bride?
Well, to begin with, it is a belief passed down through generations that bridal jewellery carries unique sentiments and the type of natural gemstone the piece holds connects with the wearer in a very personal way. For example, the amethyst which is popular for its vibrant, purple tone signifies calmness and is known to help the bride get in touch with her feelings. Aquamarine, on the other hand, captivates the onlookers with its icy blue colour and represents faithfulness, open communication and friendship. It may also signify courage and presence of mind.
For those who wish to opt for a darker tone, the emerald stands as the most sought-after choice for centuries while it represents rebirth, fertility, love and eternal youth. Next, with red being the next best favourite, the ruby is often incorporated into engagement rings, wedding bands and what not? This brilliant red stone is often associated with peace, power and love while it is renowned as the most powerful of all the gemstones! Next in line is the birthstone of September – the sapphire. This comes in a wide range of shades but the most common is the deep blue stone. As it stands for commitment, love, loyalty and honesty, it is a popular choice for engagement rings.
While the topaz also comes in many colours, the most popular is blue. People from medieval times believed that the topaz had the ability to ward off any enchantments and represents protection and personal strength. With its long history in the world of jewellery, the pearl is often picked for its close representation of the moon as it carries the meanings of feminine beauty and ultimate perfection very regally.
Last, but the most favourite of all brides – the diamond carries itself magnificently and royally with a great deal of value and meaning as it represents strong and enduring relationships, mental and emotional clarity as well as balanced thinking. Plus, it also means invincible spiritual power, commitment, faithfulness, promise and is an emblem of purity and perfection!
How can a bride pick jewellery and stones that would resonate with her personality?
If the bride loves a touch of colour and resonates with a strong, bold persona – she can consider going for deeper tones like the ruby, sapphire or emerald. These are not just intense in colour but are also heavy with meaning!
The multiple piercing trend is here to stay for a long time and the options are just becoming more desirable. Think about crystals, floral clusters and minimal studs. This is for the brides who would like to exhibit their unconventional side but remain charming and elegant.
Stackable or midi rings, chokers, earring climbers and luxurious headbands are among the jewellery that fancy brides may prefer. We are talking about stone-studded headpieces, chunky diamonds embracing one's neck and wild, adventurous climbers that crawl on the edge of the ear. The list does not end there, of course. There are many ways a modern bride can choose to showcase her wild, bold and modern taste in style.
If we are talking about minimalist brides, single-line necklaces should be at the top of the list. This can be paired with small, drop-earrings and a headpiece that gives off a magical, elegant look. All of this, definitely, studded with diamonds! For simple pairings like these, pearls can be a great option, too. Sometimes, less is more!
Simplicity is a growing trend in the bridal industry. What’s your say on this in terms of bridal jewellery trends for 2021?
No matter what the season is or what the bride’s taste is – diamonds are always a girl's best friend! A bride would never look old-fashioned for adorning a simple diamond necklace. And, many millennial bridal trends have become more simplistic and realistic over time. For instance, brides currently opt for simple yet elegant tennis necklaces to complement their wedding dress so that they can re-use it on a girls’ night out or on a day out with the family.
Jewellery is an essential part of every wedding. While elegant jewellery looks fabulous, it could also cost a bomb too. So, it is very important for every bride to invest in timeless jewellery rather than look at it as a one-day ornament. We, at Ramzi & Co., feel that investing in classic pieces like solitaire rings will not only get you your money’s worth but will also enable you to style them as you like it for years to come. You never know – you might be able to pass them down as heirloom pieces to your next generation!
However, another growing fad with today’s daring brides is adding a statement gemstone like an emerald. These regal stones are any Queens’s or goddess's first choice and there’s a good reason for it, too! Emeralds symbolise truth and love, and it easily goes hand-in-hand with white gold, rose gold and yellow gold to match your bridal attire which is usually a shade of white, ivory or champagne.
Brides place great value on the sentiments of wedding jewellery. How can a bride keep her jewellery traditional with a touch of contemporary?
For girls who want to stick to traditional jewellery but still have a youthful approach, indo-western bridal jewellery is something that can be taken into consideration. Ethnic jewellery with antique or filigree designs makes a bold statement about who you are as a visionary bride and can be made in 22k gold with a matte or semi-matte finish to add to your indo-western vintage look. At the end of the day, there is no hard and fast rule as to what your wedding jewellery should look like. The most important thing as a bride is for you to be your true, happy self and radiate with the light from within. And, if we, at Ramzi & Co., can make your big day brighter and better, it would be an honour!