I Wore a 3.56 Carat Diamond on My Wedding Day (And You Should Too)
Real Brides Share Their Coastal Carats Stories
When it comes to wedding day details, brides spend months—sometimes years—perfecting every element. From the dress to the flowers to the venue, each choice tells part of your story. But there's one detail that deserves just as much thought as your gown: your jewelry.
Meet Abbie and BreAnna, two Coastal Carats brides who understood that wedding day jewelry isn't just about sparkle—it's about wearing something that feels uniquely, authentically you as you walk down the aisle.
Abbie's Choice: The 3.56ct Oval Diamond That Became a Star
When Abbie chose her wedding jewelry, she went bold. She wore a breathtaking 3.56ct H VS2 oval cut diamond on an 18" 14k white gold chain—a piece so stunning that it would eventually catch the eye of rapper Yung Gravy, who gifted it to his girlfriend Ari Kytsya months later.
But on Abbie's wedding day, this wasn't a celebrity piece. It was her piece—a substantial, show-stopping oval diamond that rested perfectly at her collarbone, catching the light with every breath, every movement, every emotional moment.
Why Abbie's Choice Works for Brides:
The Oval Advantage: Oval cut diamonds have become one of the most popular choices for engagement rings, but they're equally stunning as pendants. The elongated shape creates the illusion of even more size (Abbie's 3.56ct looked closer to 4 carats), and the modified brilliant-cut faceting delivers maximum sparkle—perfect for wedding photos where light and movement are constant.
Substantial Without Overwhelming: At 3.56 carats, this wasn't a delicate, barely-there piece. It made a statement. But because it was a single, beautifully cut stone on a simple chain, it complemented rather than competed with her dress. The oval shape is inherently elegant—it doesn't scream for attention, it commands it quietly.
The White Gold Choice: 14k white gold provides a cool, modern base that works with virtually any dress style—from sleek modern sheaths to romantic lace gowns. White gold is also incredibly durable, making it perfect for a piece you'll want to wear for anniversaries, special occasions, and moments when you want to remember how you felt on your wedding day.
Investment Quality: H color (near-colorless) with VS2 clarity (very slightly included, eye-clean) represents serious investment-quality jewelry. This wasn't costume jewelry or a placeholder piece—this was heirloom quality that would maintain its value and beauty for generations.
BreAnna's Choice: The Trillion & Pear Floating Diamond Choker
While Abbie went for statement-size elegance, BreAnna chose architectural sophistication. She wore our Trillion & Pear Floating Diamond Drop Choker—a stunning combination of a 0.25ct bezeled trillion-cut diamond with a 0.96ct floating pear-cut diamond suspended below.
This piece is geometry meets grace, precision meets fluidity. And it was absolutely perfect for a bride who wanted something modern, unique, and unmistakably special.
Why BreAnna's Choice Works for Brides:
The Floating Diamond Difference: Our signature floating diamond technique means the pear diamond isn't trapped in a traditional setting—it's precision-drilled and suspended by jump rings, allowing it to move freely and catch light from every angle. As BreAnna moved through her ceremony and reception, her necklace moved with her, creating dynamic sparkle that static settings simply can't achieve.
Architectural Interest: The combination of the trillion-cut (a geometric, angular shape) with the romantic pear-cut creates visual intrigue. It's not what everyone else is wearing. It's distinctive, modern, and memorable—exactly what you want for wedding jewelry that appears in hundreds of photos.
Choker Length Sophistication: The adjustable 13-15" length sits perfectly at the collarbone, drawing attention to the neckline and face without dropping too low. For brides wearing strapless gowns, sweetheart necklines, or off-the-shoulder styles, a choker-length necklace provides the perfect framing.
Sustainable Luxury: The trillion diamond is upcycled from a recycled VRAI finding—bringing new life to an existing diamond while maintaining zero-compromise on quality. The pear diamond is IGI-certified lab-grown (D color, VS1 clarity, Excellent cut). BreAnna got exceptional quality and distinctive design while supporting sustainable jewelry practices—a value alignment that mattered to her.
Versatility Beyond the Wedding: While some brides buy jewelry specifically for their wedding day and then never wear it again, BreAnna's choker works equally well with a gown or jeans and a silk blouse. The modern, geometric design transitions seamlessly from bridal to everyday luxury.
The Common Thread: Choosing Jewelry That Tells Your Story
Both Abbie and BreAnna made choices that reflected who they are—not what bridal magazines told them to wear. Abbie wanted substantial, timeless elegance. BreAnna wanted modern, architectural sophistication. Both wanted exceptional quality. Neither settled for generic.
This is what makes Coastal Carats different from traditional bridal jewelry: we don't believe in "bridal collections" that dictate what you should wear. We believe in finding or creating the piece that makes you feel like the most authentic version of yourself as you walk down the aisle.
Wedding Jewelry Trends for Modern Brides
If you're currently planning your wedding and thinking about jewelry, here are the trends we're seeing from real brides like Abbie and BreAnna:
1. Going Bigger Than Expected
Abbie's 3.56ct oval isn't typical "wedding necklace" size—it's closer to what you'd expect on a red carpet. But modern brides are embracing the idea that your wedding is your red carpet moment. If you've always wanted a substantial diamond necklace, your wedding day is the perfect time to wear it.
2. Unique Cuts Over Traditional Rounds
BreAnna's combination of trillion and pear cuts represents the move away from traditional round diamonds. Emerald cuts, Asscher cuts, pear shapes, fancy colored diamonds—brides want cuts that feel special and distinctive, not mass-produced.
3. Lab-Grown for Size and Ethics
Both pieces feature lab-grown diamonds, which allowed both brides to maximize size, quality, and ethical sourcing without compromise. Abbie's 3.56ct oval and BreAnna's 0.96ct pear represent exceptional value—these sizes would be prohibitively expensive in natural diamonds, but lab-grown technology makes investment-quality stones accessible.
4. Pieces You'll Actually Wear Again
The days of buying delicate pearl necklaces "for the wedding" that live in a drawer forever are over. Modern brides choose pieces substantial and versatile enough to become signature jewelry they'll wear for anniversaries, date nights, and important moments throughout their marriage.
5. Sustainability Matters
BreAnna's choice of a piece featuring an upcycled trillion diamond and lab-grown pear reflects growing awareness about sustainable luxury. Your wedding jewelry can be both breathtaking and ethically sourced—you don't have to choose.
Floating Diamonds: Perfect for Brides Who Want Movement
Both Abbie's and BreAnna's pieces showcase why floating diamonds work so beautifully for wedding jewelry:
Maximum Light Performance: Traditional settings can block light from reaching the diamond. Floating diamonds are drilled and suspended by jump rings, allowing light to hit the stone from all angles—360-degree sparkle that's absolutely magical in wedding photos and video.
Dynamic Movement: As you move through your ceremony, your first dance, greeting guests—your jewelry moves with you. The diamonds catch and reflect light constantly, creating living sparkle rather than static shine.
Modern Aesthetic: Floating diamonds feel contemporary and innovative while remaining timeless. They won't look dated in your wedding photos twenty years from now—they'll still look like exceptional jewelry.
Conversation Pieces: Guests notice floating diamonds. The technique is distinctive enough that you'll field compliments and questions all night—and you'll love saying "it's from this independent jeweler who specializes in floating diamonds."
Standout Pieces for Brides: The Coastal Carats Edit
If Abbie's and BreAnna's choices inspired you, here are some standout pieces from our collection that work beautifully for weddings:
Imagine walking down the aisle in a stunning shade of oceanic blue. This 0.98ct fancy blue emerald-cut diamond offers saturated color, crisp step facets, and VS1 clarity. The emerald cut's elongated shape (6.33 × 4.66 × 3.16mm) creates elegant, sophisticated sparkle—perfect for brides who want to incorporate their "something blue" in the most luxurious way possible. The single-drill floating design means it moves beautifully, and you can choose 14k yellow or white gold to match your other jewelry.
Why it works for weddings: Blue diamonds are incredibly rare and special—having your "something blue" be a nearly 1-carat floating diamond elevates a wedding tradition to heirloom status. The emerald cut reads as sophisticated and timeless, never trendy.
For brides who love geometric, architectural jewelry, this 1.13ct octagon cut is perfection. The unusual eight-sided shape combines the elegance of an emerald cut with unique angular interest. At over 1 carat with exceptional clarity, this creates substantial presence without feeling heavy or overwhelming. The floating design showcases the precision of the octagon cut beautifully.
Why it works for weddings: Octagon cuts are incredibly rare—your guests have probably never seen one before. It's distinctive enough to feel special but sophisticated enough to work with any wedding style from modern minimalist to romantic garden.
Emerald Diamond Drop Charm - $495
This elongated emerald-cut diamond creates a vertical drop effect that's incredibly flattering. The step-cut faceting of emerald cuts delivers hall-of-mirrors sparkle—sophisticated flashes rather than disco-ball fire. The floating drop design means the diamond catches light beautifully as you move, and the vertical orientation creates the illusion of a longer, more elegant neckline.
Why it works for weddings: Emerald cuts are experiencing a major resurgence (thank you, Amal Clooney and other style icons). They photograph beautifully—the large, open facets read clearly in photos rather than turning into an indistinguishable blur of sparkle. The drop style works perfectly with strapless and sweetheart necklines.
The Asscher cut is the square version of an emerald cut—vintage-inspired with Art Deco elegance, featuring cropped corners and dramatic step facets. This cut has serious vintage glamour credentials (it was hugely popular in the 1920s-30s) while feeling completely contemporary. The floating design lets you see all the geometric precision of the Asscher's pavilion.
Why it works for weddings: Perfect for vintage-inspired weddings, Art Deco themes, or brides who love Old Hollywood glamour. The Asscher cut works beautifully with vintage lace gowns, beaded dresses, or sleek modern silhouettes. It's also less common than round or princess cuts, so it feels special and unique.
How to Choose Your Wedding Day Jewelry: Lessons from Abbie & BreAnna
1. Start Earlier Than You Think
Both brides started thinking about their jewelry well before the wedding. This gave them time to explore options, try different styles, and find pieces that felt authentic rather than settling for whatever was available last-minute. Start looking at least 3-6 months before your wedding.
2. Consider Your Dress Neckline
Abbie's 18" chain length worked perfectly with her neckline. BreAnna's 13-15" choker complemented hers beautifully. Bring photos of your dress (or bring your dress!) when shopping for jewelry. The neckline dictates what length and style will look best.
3. Think About Movement
You're not standing still all day—you're walking, dancing, hugging, turning to look at your partner, leaning in for photos. Floating diamonds move with you, catching light constantly. Traditional settings can look static in comparison.
4. Quality Over Quantity
Both brides chose to invest in one exceptional piece rather than wearing a full suite of matching jewelry. A stunning necklace often works better than necklace + earrings + bracelet that all compete for attention.
5. Lab-Grown Means More Options
Lab-grown diamonds allowed both brides to get exceptional size and quality. Abbie's 3.56ct oval and BreAnna's nearly 1ct pear would be dramatically more expensive in natural diamonds—lab-grown technology means you don't have to choose between size and ethics.
6. Choose Something You'll Wear Again
The best wedding jewelry investment is something substantial and versatile enough to become part of your permanent collection. Both pieces work beautifully with gowns and with everyday elegant outfits.
7. Don't Follow Rules That Don't Serve You
Traditional "bridal jewelry" often means delicate pearls or small diamond studs. But if you've always wanted a substantial diamond necklace, wear it. If you love colored diamonds, wear them. If geometric modern design speaks to you more than romantic vintage, choose that. Your wedding jewelry should reflect your style, not someone else's idea of what bridal "should" be.
The Coastal Carats Difference for Brides
When Abbie and BreAnna chose Coastal Carats for their wedding jewelry, they chose:
Direct-From-Maker Service: Working directly with the person who creates your jewelry means personal attention, custom modifications, and pieces made specifically for you.
Lab-Grown Diamond Specialization: We source exceptional lab-grown diamonds, meaning you get larger stones, better quality, and ethical sourcing without compromise.
The Floating Diamond Technique: Our signature approach creates movement, maximum light performance, and distinctive style that stands out from traditional settings.
Pieces You'll Treasure Forever: We don't make "bridal jewelry"—we make heirloom-quality pieces that happen to be perfect for weddings because they're beautiful, well-made, and designed to last.
Sustainable Practices: From lab-grown diamonds to upcycled findings (like the trillion in BreAnna's necklace), we prioritize sustainability without sacrificing luxury.
Beyond the Wedding: Anniversary Jewelry
One beautiful detail: Abbie's 3.56ct oval diamond eventually found its way to Ari Kytsya as a gift from Yung Gravy. This isn't sad—it's perfect. Abbie wore it on her wedding day, loved it, and when she was ready for something new, that exceptional diamond went on to create new memories for someone else.
This is how heirloom jewelry should work. Pieces that are loved, worn, treasured, and eventually passed on or reimagined. When you choose Coastal Carats for your wedding, you're not buying disposable trend jewelry—you're investing in pieces designed to be worn, loved, and cherished.
Start Creating Your Bridal Jewelry Story
Whether you're drawn to Abbie's substantial oval elegance, BreAnna's architectural trillion-and-pear sophistication, or one of our other exceptional pieces, we're here to help you find or create the perfect wedding jewelry.
Your wedding day deserves jewelry as exceptional as the moment. Not generic "bridal collections." Not pieces that look like everyone else's. Something that makes you feel like the most beautiful, most authentic version of yourself as you walk down the aisle.
Ready to find your perfect piece?
Explore our Floating Diamond Collection, browse our Featured Pieces, or reach out directly to discuss custom creation.
Let's design something as unique as your love story.
Coastal Carats | Heirloom-Quality Jewelry, Direct from Maker
