Pearl jewelry has always held a certain quiet elegance that is equal parts luminous, understated, and timeless. With their soft white lustre, it’s easy to see why they’re often associated with weddings – but might they be bad luck for the bride?

From the necks of Roman matrons to the ears of flapper-era debutantes, pearls have long been associated with sophistication and grace. Yet, somewhere along the way, these beautiful gems picked up a reputation for misfortune, especially when worn by brides.

Is there truth behind the old superstition? Or is it just one of those tales whispered down through generations like a hemline stitch or your something-borrowed and something-blue? Let’s take a closer look at this myth and what various cultures throughout history have had to say about brides wearing pearls on their wedding day. 

Two Victorian Onyx and Pearl Mourning Brooches // Walton's Jewelry

The Victorian Era View: Pearls as a Symbol for Tears

For antique jewelry collectors, the Victorian era is a treasure trove of sentiment and symbolism, and when it comes to pearls, the symbolism runs deep. In the 19th century, pearls were often said to represent tears. A pearl-set brooch or pendant was a common motif in mourning jewelry, echoing sorrow through these glistening drops of beauty..

Because of this association, many Victorians considered pearls ill-suited to weddings. Why begin a marriage—a day of supposed joy—with a stone that signified weeping? Some believed that a bride wearing pearls would cry many tears during her marriage, a superstition that lingered long after formal mourning dress went out of fashion.

Yet it’s important to note that not all Victorian associations with pearls were purely negative. Pearls were still seen as symbols of purity and modesty, in keeping with the ideal of the “angel in the house.” While some avoided pearls out of fear of future sorrow, others gave them as tokens of chaste love. In this way, pearls occupied a delicate symbolic position: at once refined and romantic, but also tinged with fragility and loss. This duality made them powerful, and to the modern collector, even more intriguing.

Pearls and Cultural Superstitions Around the Globe

The sorrowful symbolism of pearls isn’t a belief that’s unique to the Victorians. Across various cultures, pearls have sometimes carried ominous associations when it comes to weddings. 

In Greece, the belief that pearls worn on a wedding day will bring tears to the marriage is shared by some. In Brazil, it’s believed that bad luck can be amplified if they are a wedding gift, especially if gifted to the bride by someone outside the family. In parts of Asia, pearls take on a nuanced meaning often avoided for romantic occasions and gestures—because they are certainly beautiful, but born of suffering for the oyster.

Yet even as some cultures have warned against bridal pearls, others have embraced them. In India, for example, pearls are traditionally associated with good fortune and feminine strength. In Japan, pearls are often passed down as heirlooms and worn with pride on special occasions, including weddings.

Antique Pearl and Diamond Filigree Ring // Walton's Jewelry

The Final Word: Choose Bridal Jewelry You Love

Superstitions are often born of centuries-old beliefs, reinforced through repetition rather than reason. And for many modern brides, pearls offer not sorrow but style.

Today, antique and vintage pearl jewelry makes a stunning choice for brides who appreciate history, craftsmanship, and subtle glamour. Whether worn as an accent gemstone in an engagement ring or in another piece of your bridal jewelry, pearls evoke old-world romance while pairing beautifully with lace, silk, and ivory.

And let's not forget that pearls are an elegant option for the Maid of Honor, or as a “thank you” gift for the Mother of the Bride or Groom. Pearls are versatile enough to match nearly any dress code and timeless enough to wear again and again.

If you’re a bride-to-be drawn to pearls but hesitant because of an old superstition, consider this: meaning is what you make it. These luminous gems remain one of the most refined, romantic choices in the jewelry world. And what could be luckier than that?