I saw the birthstone necklace posting on your blog and really think it's a great idea. There is the potential for personalizing that is so nice (many ideas here about a bride and groom's parents' birthstones getting incorporated, and so on for non-bridal applications like new moms, etc). I also see this as a fairly timeless style that is still unique. Of course I am partial to colored gems with pearls, too.
The little trios of gems make a pretty rhythm against that of the pearl strand.