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A new piece of jewelry can pull together an entire outfit, but it also serves as a wearable form of self-expression and creativity. It can be a symbol of a sweet memory or express a heartfelt thought, and there are just so many customizable options. However, when you’re looking for something for casual wear or a fun accessory or a Valentine’s Day gift for someone else or even for yourself, you may not want to spend as much as you would, say, an engagement ring—but you still want quality. (No one wants to end up with jewelry that turns skin green, after all.) When you want something that can better stand up to everyday wear, consult this list of the best affordable jewelry brands.
This trendy yet refined jewelry brand was founded by Gorjana and Jason Reidel in their Laguna Beach apartment in 2004. Today, the brand is a go-to for celebrities and anyone seeking chic staples for their jewelry box. They win points for offering both a wide array of demi-fine,18K gold plated brass chain link necklaces, including their signature Parker paper clip chain, and charms, in addition to fine jewelry made with solid gold and diamonds like their classic Diamond Bar Necklace. In fact, there are so many fine jewelry options at affordable price points that Gorjana is a fantastic bet for scoring an impressive gift for everyone from your best friend to your favorite co-worker.
Whether you’re looking for a simple mini pearl pendant, an initial necklace, a simple gold chain, or one of the brand’s popular Zodiac Necklaces, Mejuri will have a classic option at a very reasonable price. (The retailer also made our list of the best online jewelry stores.) This means that even if you’re visiting the site to pick out an eye-catching present for a loved one, you may very well want to pick out a new piece for your own jewelry box. It’s no surprise the brand’s CEO Noura Sakkijha comes from three generations in the jewelry industry and is committed to “shifting the focus from traditional archetypes of gifting to buying jewelry for your damn self.” They’re also committed to sustainability and working with suppliers who meet health, safety, human rights, fair labor, governance, and environmental protection standards.
The New York City based jewelry brand Aurate crafts all of their pieces with recycled gold, which allows for the creation of new pieces without as much of an impact on the environment as new gold coming from a mine. Their diamonds are also sourced from mines that adhere to ethical, safe working conditions, offer fair wages, and respect their local indigenous communities. What’s more, the site offers something for everyone, whether you’re on the market for a simple stacking ring (like the Open Link Ring) or an engagement ring.
Founded in 2011, BaubleBar was committed to offering a wide range of fun fashion jewelry and made customers feel like they were a part of a community. Over the last decade, the brand has since expanded to include fine jewelry and has partnered with many well-known companies from Disney to Nordstrom. Regardless of what style you’re searching for, be it thin oval hoops (like the Ashton 18k Gold Earrings) or an initial pendant (like the Bubble Script Initial Necklace), BaubleBar has the hottest trends covered at affordable price points.
Kendra Scott founded her jewelry line in 2002 in Austin, Texas, and today, it’s one of the most well-known fashion, demi-fine, and fine jewelry brands. They even recently launched a new exclusive line at Target. Featuring semi-precious stones and a variety of metals at various price points, Kendra Scott’s customizable options are also plentiful. They offer engravable pendants (like the Luna 18k Gold Vermeil Charm Necklace), charms, and the Color Bar that allows customers to pick their own necklace, ring, earrings, or bracelet settings and pair it with a unique stone (like a bold, glittery druzy or a shimmery mother of pearl).
Designed by founder Trisha Okubo in a studio in New York City, Maison Miru boasts an array of delicate and dainty options from their Mini Crystal Trinity Studs to Classic 1-inch Hoops. Okubo started Maison Miru with hopes of creating a line of “infinitely remixable jewelry” that can be rearranged to suit your preferences and form of self-expression. The brand is also known for their hypoallergenic Nap Earrings Collection with flat backs on the earrings, crafted from titanium and solid 14K gold and meant to be worn 24/7. Even when you’re sleeping and working out. (Tip: Our guide on how to clean jewelry can help your jewelry look its best, no matter what you put it through during your day.)
Finding the perfect gift is really all about options—even more so when you’re shopping for something as personal as jewelry. Designer Monica Vinader’s eponymous sustainability-focused jewelry brand truly has something for everyone, in styles that range from classic (like the Mini Pearl Stud Earrings) to trendy (like the Woven Heart Locket Chain Necklace) but always with a contemporary twist. If you don’t know where to start, the site helpfully offers a gift menu organized by budget, occasion, material, recipient, and personalized categories. (If you’re able to shop in-store at the Monica Vinader boutique in New York City or in select Nordstrom stores, you can also consider a permanent jewelry option; consult the site’s store locator for details.) Interesting to note: Monica Vibader’s commitment to responsible business practices emphasizes transparency, including information about where gemstones are sourced (including conflict-free and lab-grown diamonds) and using 100% recycled gold and silver.
Luxury fashion and fine jewelry line Nadri is a go-to for a reason, appealing to everyone from brides-to-be trying to find the ultimate pair of earrings to wear on their big day, to spouses or best friends on the hunt for a glamorous holiday gift. That’s because the company, which has been a trusted name in jewelry for more than 35 years, offers both statement options (like their Leah Statement Hoop Earrings) and classic looks (like the Modern Love Large Emerald Cut CZ Stud Earrings), all of which are crafted to offer quality, “high-wattage sparkle.”
Woman-founded Oak and Luna is dedicated to empowering people through their unique, easily personalized pieces, including a wide range of bracelets that suit a bevy of tastes. The brand offers delicate styles, like their Luna Single Diamond Bracelet and bolder options, like the Three Layer Paper Clip Chain Bracelet or Engraved Axis T Bracelet with Diamonds. You can also choose from more affordable gold vermeil or solid gold options. Oak and Luna’s bracelets can easily be stacked, so you can buy one or several to start building your collection.
From vintage styles like Carrie Elizabeth Jewelry’s Fern Green Topaz Statement Ring with Pearl Halo, to modern picks like Ettika’s Emerald Crystal Teardrop Wrap Ring, Local Eclectic has unique looks for every ring lover. The site was founded in 2013 by Alexis Nido-Russo, who was interested in spotlighting her favorite designers’ one-of-a-kind pieces. Ten years later, Nido-Russo proudly features various emerging jewelry designers, 94% of whom are female. Many of them excel at creating gorgeous fine and demi-fine pieces for anyone looking for their next cocktail ring or heartfelt, glimmery gift.
Since launching in 2018, Ana Luisa has aimed to deliver quality, accessibility, and sustainability to jewelry lovers. Offering a range of both timeless and on-trend necklaces, you can choose from various chains, bold and delicate pendants (like their romantic, playful Puffed Heart pendant), layered necklaces, and even personalized items like letter, number, and zodiac pendants. In other words, whether you’re into gold, silver, charms, or clean lines, Ana Luisa likely has an option to suit your style.
From Akoya pearl solitaires (like their 16mm Shell Pearl Solitaire Necklace in 18KT Gold Over Sterling) to vintage pearl necklaces and station strands (like their 6-6.5mm Cultured Pearl Station Necklace in 14KT Yellow Gold), Ross-Simons has a wide selection of affordable pearl jewelry. You can also trust that the baubles you buy from Ross-Simons will serve you well, given that the company has been around for over 70 years. (The retailer also made our list of the best online jewelry stores.) Founded in 1952 in Providence, Rhode Island, they’ve always been one of the top retailers offering high quality fine jewelry, including pearls, at budget-friendly prices. If you’re a fan of vintage pearls, consider checking out the estate section of the store where you can shop for vintage picks.
Founded in 2017 by Alexander Weindling, a third-generation diamond jeweler, Clean Origin offers a wide array of sparkling, ethical, lab-grown diamond jewelry. From round, four-prong diamond studs that start at ¾ total carat weight to petite tennis bracelets and diamond solitaire necklaces—even colored lab-grown diamond jewelry—there’s something for every fan of the stunning precious gemstone at appealing prices. (The retailer also made our list of the best engagement rings of 2024.)
Couple Helen and Michael Ashikian founded Baby Gold in 2018, naming the brand after their daughter Olivia who has a penchant for gold jewelry. Fast-forward to 2024, and Baby Gold baubles have been spied on celebrities like the Kardashian sisters, Behati Prinsloo, Ashley Graham, and many more. The brand boasts a vast collection of personalized necklaces, bracelets, and rings, charms (like their Solid Script Letter Charm), simple chains, and delicate, dainty rings and earrings in 14K yellow, white, or rose gold. In other words, there’s something for anyone who adores gold.
We reviewed multiple national retailers as if we were buying jewelry for our own personal collection, including a review of:
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