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Not everyone’s jewelry collection includes precious stones and metals that need to be covered by jewelry insurance. For jewelry enthusiasts who like to switch up their look, finding affordable jewelry brands can prove to be quite the challenge. To find pieces that look like a million bucks (but actually cost less than $100), it’s all about finding the right balance between quality and cost—you don’t want to end up with cheap jewelry that tarnishes immediately and looks bad after just a few wears.
We researched dozens of affordable jewelry brands, assessing them on their inventory, shipping and return policies, and quality of their materials to find the best options. For expert tips on shopping and caring for affordable jewelry, we tapped Alison Bruhn, New York City-based personal stylist, and Brenna Lyden, CEO and founder of East West Gem Co.
“Be careful about anything Mahjong Ways that seems too good to be true,” says Bruhn. “Buy the best quality you can, and keep in mind that ‘fewer but better’ is a smart motto to have. Be thoughtful about your purchases, whether they are expensive or not.”
Who it’s for: People looking for minimalist jewelry, particularly hoop earrings, and people looking for men’s jewelry.
Who it isn’t for: People looking for chunky statement-making pieces.
Mejuri stands out for offering fine jewelry at low prices. Here, you can find relatively affordable pieces made from 14-karat gold, yellow gold, and precious stones such as white sapphire, pearls, and even diamonds. You’ll find the lowest prices on earrings, including 14-karat yellow gold studs, a pair of pearl drop earrings, and single diamond studs, all available for under $100. Mejuri is best known for its minimalist hoop earrings, of which there are many to choose from, including beaded and diamond varieties. You can also purchase charms to add to your hoops for an even bigger statement.
The catch is that the majority of Mejuri’s offerings are small and definitely geared towards minimalists, so people who want chunky, colorful jewelry might be disappointed. On the other hand, Mejuri also has a men’s section that includes chains, necklaces, and rings. You can also find wedding bands for both genders, as well as simple yet beautiful engagement rings.
Brand Details:
- Jewelry Types: Earrings, rings, necklaces, bracelets, anklets, chains
- Shipping: Free standard
- Return Window: 30 days
Who it’s for: People who love chunky, layered, or stackable jewelry.
Who it isn’t for: People who want a more lenient return policy.
Bonheur Jewelry is a great place to shop if you want statement pieces that look way more expensive than they are. The reason its prices are so reasonable is that its jewelry is made of brass and plated in 18-karat gold, 18-karat rose gold, or rhodium to get the finish you desire. You can definitely make a statement with some of its bolder pieces, such as this layered necklace or this chunky tennis bracelet—both with geometric-shaped Swarovski crystals.
It’s easy to find styles that go well together when you shop by collection. The Champagne collection consists of eye-catching pavé pieces, while the Muse collection consists of colorful crystals, stackable rings, and more. However, some collections, such as the Gemstone collection, are more expensive than others. Another thing to keep in mind is that the site only has a seven-day return window, so you’ll need to make sure you love your jewelry quickly once it arrives.
Brand Details:
- Jewelry Types: Earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets
- Shipping: Free on orders over $100
- Return Window: 7 days
Who it’s for: People who like jewelry charms.
Who it isn’t for: People who are looking for more traditional jewelry.
Gorjana is your one-stop shop for gold jewelry. The brand has a beautiful selection of both classic and quirky jewelry styles that are sure to live in your jewelry box for a lifetime. These include delicate pendant necklaces you can decorate with charms, such as a heart, locket, or even a bejeweled bee. There are also signet rings, chain-link bracelets that are both thin and chunky, and plenty of hoops. This is a great place to shop if you have multiple ear piercings, as the brand has a nice selection of studs, huggie-style earrings, and sets available for layering.
Gorjana also has a robust collection of affordable fine jewelry. You’ll find 14-karat gold pieces as well as jewelry with opals, pearls, and diamonds. Plus, if you’d like to personalize your jewelry, there are plenty of ways to do just that—beyond monogrammed jewelry, there are also astrological necklaces, birthstone earrings, and a variety of pieces that can be engraved.
Brand Details:
- Jewelry Types: Earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets, charms
- Shipping: Free standard
- Return Window: 30 days
Who it’s for: People who want contemporary jewelry that suits a variety of styles and budgets.
Who it isn’t for: People who want to see jewelry in person before buying.
Astrid & Miyu is a London-based jewelry brand that specializes in contemporary pieces. The site has all types of jewelry, including pendant necklaces with zodiac and initial designs, minimalist and statement rings, and stackable sets. We especially love that it’s so easy to filter earrings based on piercing type. You can find styles that are suitable for conch, helix, and tragus piercings as easily as you can find lobe earrings.
No matter what your budget is, the brand has plenty of options for you. There are more affordable styles that are made of sterling silver and plated with 18-karat gold, and there are also solid 14-karat gold options for people who are willing to spend a bit more for higher-quality jewelry.
Plus, Astrid & Miyu is committed to improving its sustainability practices: It offers a silver jewelry recycling program and has an entire collection made from recycled sterling silver. Unfortunately, there’s only one store in the U.S., which is located in New York City, so people in other parts of the country won’t be able to see the pieces in person before buying.
Brand Details:
- Jewelry Types: Earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets
- Shipping: Free on orders over $100
- Return Window: 28 days
Who it’s for: People looking for kitschy, unconventional pieces of jewelry.
Who it isn’t for: People looking for silver jewelry.
BaubleBar offers a wide array of jewelry at low prices, ranging from classic everyday pieces such as chain necklaces and gold bangles to unique novelty items such as a Mickey Mouse tennis bracelet. BaubleBar is actually best known for its earrings, offering an inventory that is much larger than other jewelry types available on its site. The brand has plenty of earring styles to choose from, including cubic zirconia studs, jeweled statement drop earrings, chunky hoops, cuffs, and even a few crawlers. You’ll also find a sizable collection of whimsical earrings that depict animals, food, drinks, and more.
BaubleBar also sells rings, anklets, and charms for charm bracelets. There are some fine jewelry options that are pretty affordable too, with price points starting at $24 for earrings, $38 for bracelets, and $42 for necklaces. The only category that BaubleBar is lacking in is silver jewelry.
Brand Details:
- Jewelry Types: Earrings, necklaces, bracelets, anklets, rings, charms
- Shipping: Free on orders over $75
- Return Window: 30 days
Who it’s for: People who are looking for neutral basics that will complement a variety of outfits.
Who it isn’t for: People looking for fine jewelry at a low price point.
Madewell should be your go-to for everyday staples that manage to be both trendy and timeless. Here, you’ll find popular jewelry styles such as layered necklaces, stackable rings, chain-link bracelets, and gold hoop earrings. Much of Madewell’s jewelry is meant to complement rather than be the center of attention, so you won’t find a lot of loud, colorful statement pieces. Instead, you can count on plenty of neutral, delicate pieces that will suit a variety of occasions, whether you’re spending the day in the office or at a wedding.
The brand does have a small selection of more playful jewelry pieces that cater to people who have a more eclectic style. You’ll also find a selection of watches and fine jewelry, though these are much pricier.
Brand Details:
- Jewelry Types: Earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets, watches
- Shipping: Free for loyalty members; from $3 for everyone else
- Return Window: 30 days
Who it’s for: People who frequently try new styles and types of jewelry.
Who it isn’t for: People who’d rather invest in pieces they’ll have for years.
Rocksbox is unlike any of the other jewelry sites on our list. First and foremost, it’s a jewelry rental service, like Flont and Red Carpet Rocks. You can rent three pieces at a time for $21 per month (shipping is included), and you also get a monthly credit of the same amount that goes toward the purchase of any jewelry you want to keep. Each piece is selected by you or a stylist according to your preferences (such as gold vs. silver and statement vs. delicate pieces).
Plus, members can purchase additional jewelry from the Rocksbox store, where you’ll find designer brands like Kendra Scott, Kate Spade, and Lele Sadoughi. This jewelry subscription is a great option for people who like to try out new styles and switch out their pieces often. It’s also ideal for special occasions, such as weddings and vacations, where you might want jewelry that differs from your everyday pieces.
Brand Details:
- Jewelry Types: Earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings
- Shipping: Included in subscription
- Return Window: 30 days
Who it’s for: People looking for personalized jewelry.
Who it isn’t for: People who don’t want to sift through a large inventory to find what they’re looking for.
Etsy is truly your oyster when it comes to finding any and all types of jewelry—there are currently more than 16 million listings! Although it can be very overwhelming to navigate, Etsy offers plenty of filters to help you find what you need, including occasion, holiday, gemstone, material, style, theme, and more. Etsy is particularly a hub for vintage jewelry, handmade jewelry, and quirky statement pieces.
Where Etsy excels the most, though, is personalized jewelry. You’ll find all kinds of unique, customizable pieces including name rings and necklaces, and even bracelets with an engraving of the coordinates of your choice. You can even get your kid’s drawing turned into a necklace or something to commemorate a special date. When shopping on Etsy, just keep in mind that sellers set their own shipping prices and return policies.
Priscilla Ma
Who it’s for: People looking for affordable jewelry that is less likely to tarnish over time.
Who it isn’t for: People who want to buy from a brand that accepts returns.
Priscilla Ma started her business after becoming frustrated with how fast affordable jewelry tarnished. She set out to create her own line with metals that she found were least likely to tarnish, including gold-filled, sterling silver, and stainless steel. Her collection contains necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings made of exactly those materials.
The site features an abundance of chain-link jewelry, but what stands out the most though is the brand’s hand-stamped and engraved jewelry. The detailed designs are incredible, including this birth flower ring and this custom “fur baby” pendant, which is traced by hand before being turned into an engraved necklace. Ma also offers custom necklaces that depict your zodiac sign, an important year, and even Chinese characters. Keep in mind that any purchase you make, regardless of if it’s custom or not, cannot be returned.
