The best affordable jewelry brands tap into recycled materials, lab-grown stones and other smart ideas to lower the cost while not sacrificing quality.
Quince, for example, is known for dainty fine jewelry staples while BaubleBar is great for gifts. Grown Brilliance is a go-to for all things diamonds, from tennis bracelets to engagement rings. Here, all the best affordable jewelry brands that we regularly shop ourselves and have earned our stamp of approval.
- Best Affordable Jewelry Brand Overall: Mejuri
- Best For Lab-Grown Diamonds: Grown Brilliance
- Best For Gemstones: Blue Nile
- Best For Sustainable Diamonds: Vrai
- Best For Everyday Jewelry: Pavoi
- Best For Birthstone Jewelry: Brook & York
- Best For On-Trend Jewelry: Nadri
- Best For Hypoallergenic Jewelry: Ana Luisa
- Best For Dainty Jewelry: Quince
- Best For Statement Pieces: Shashi
- Best For Something Whimsical: BaubleBar
- (PAID PLACEMENT) You May Also Like: Von Diamonds
Best Affordable Jewelry Brand Overall
Mejuri: Sustainable Everyday Pieces With Style
Mejuri Figure Ring
Price range: $38 to $3,500 | Shipping: $8 or free on orders $75 and up | Return policy: Free 30-day returns
From wear-with-everything gold hoops to dainty layering necklaces and chunky, gem-stone encrusted rings, Mejuri offers a little something for everyone at reasonable and transparent prices. With a commitment to sustainability, the brand works with mostly recycled metals, and carries solid gold, silver and titanium pieces, plus a large variety of high-quality gold vermeil options at lower price points.
Best For Lab-Grown Diamonds
Grown Brilliance: Custom Designs for More Than Just Bridal
Grown Brilliance 1/2 ctw Round Near-Colorless (H-I) Lab Grown Diamond Stud Earrings
Price range: $100 to $198,000 | Shipping: Free | Return policy: Free 30-day returns with exceptions for customized pieces
Founded by a third generation jeweler, Grown Brilliance specializes in lab-grown diamonds, which are structurally, chemically and visually identical to natural stones, and designs all of its ready-made pieces by hand. Their collections feature every shape of stone and style you can imagine, from classic tennis necklaces to striking drop earrings. If you’re after something one-of-a-kind, you can design your own diamond bracelet, earrings, and necklaces in addition to custom engagement rings.
Best For Gemstones
Blue Nile: Ready-To-Ship And Custom Options
Blue Nile Sunburst Oval London Blue Topaz Stud Earrings in Sterling Silver
Price range: $38 to $3,500 | Shipping: Free | Return policy: Free 30-day returns
Blue Nile not only offers a large selection of earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets with all hues of colored gems, you can also select an individual stone and custom design your own made-to-order piece. The company offers a wide range of styles and price points, but they also have an ‘Under $100’ section for quickly finding affordable picks. With excellent customer service and virtual appointments available, you can shop easily and confidently online.
Best For Sustainable Diamonds
Vrai: Eco-Friendly Options For Engagements And Beyond
Vrai Orion Bracelet
Price range: $195 to $67,000 | Shipping: $10 flat fee on all orders | Return policy: $200 recycling fee for all returns
With sustainability at its core, Vrai takes climate-warming greenhouse gas and uses it to make quality lab-grown diamonds of all shapes and sizes at its carbon-neutral foundry in the Pacific Northwest. Whether you are selecting a ready-to-ship piece of jewelry, designing a custom engagement ring or commissioning a stone to be cut just for you, the shopping experience is easy and intuitive—you can even get help through an online consultation. And, because you deal with the manufacturer directly, the prices stay low compared to buying through a retailer.
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Von Diamonds: A Wide Range Of Classic And Contemporary Diamond Jewelry
PAID PLACEMENT
Von Diamonds ¼ CTW Round Diamond Six Prong Stud Earrings
Price range: $285 to $34,540 | Shipping: Free | Return policy: Free 30-day returns
Von Diamonds encourages affordable luxury by selling a variety of engagement and wedding rings, as well as fine jewelry, at accessible prices. Customizations including diamond shape, carat, quality, origin (lab-grown or natural) and metal are available on most of the brand’s pieces, whether you’re designing a dazzling three-stone engagement ring or an understated pair of stud earrings. Get 20% off any Von Diamonds purchase (excluding specials) now through July 17.
Best For Everyday Jewelry
Pavoi: Classics You Can Layer And Stack
Pavoi 14K Gold Plated 3mm Cubic Zirconia Classic Tennis Bracelet
Price range: $13 to $19 | Shipping: Free with Amazon Prime | Return policy: Free 30-day returns
This ultra-affordable line is a one-stop shop for classic as well as of-the-moment styles like teardrop earrings (in multiple sizes), sparkly tennis bracelets and minimal paperclip necklaces. Fourteen karat gold plating and cubic zirconia give the pieces an expensive look without the investment of solid gold or diamonds. The brand works with 100% recycled materials and 99% recycled packaging, and they offer a 60-day guarantee, so you can feel good about every purchase.
Best For Birthstone Jewelry
Brook & York: Personal Forever Pieces
Brook & York Mackenzie Birthstone Initial Pendant
Price range: $60 to $166 (for birthstone jewelry) | Shipping: Free | Return policy: Accepted for 60 days
Designed in New England and made from recycled materials, Brook & York’s items are intended to be timeless keepsakes. Choose from earrings, necklaces, and bracelets with delicate birthstone charms for a thoughtful gift or something special for yourself. The company also offers personalization, engraving and gift wrapping, so your purchase can feel extra special.
Best For On-Trend Jewelry
Nadri: A One-Stop Shop for Formal Occasions
Nadri Rockstars CZ Chandelier Earrings
Price range: $40 to $1,650 | Shipping: Free with orders $75 or more | Return policy: Free 14-day returns for a refund or 30 days for credit
For shimmering, sophisticated options to pair with an evening gown or bridesmaid’s dress (brides take note: they have a dedicated wedding shop), look no further. This brand—that designs and manufactures everything in-house—features a range of cubic zirconia styles from small, delicate studs to glittering statement necklaces, and they even offer a small selection of fine jewelry. Everything here can carry you through formal occasions for years to come.
Best For Hypoallergenic Jewelry
Ana Luisa: Go-To Jewelry That Promises Not To Irritate or Tarnish
Ana Luisa Lo Small Slim Endless Hoops
Price range: $15 to $225 | Shipping: Free Shipping | Return policy: Free exchanges, $5.99 fee for returns
Ana Luisa uses chemical and physical tests to ensure that their high-quality pieces are hypoallergenic and water- and tarnish-resistant—claims backed up by their two-year warranty and thousands of positive reviews. With mostly minimal designs like huggie hoops and small pendant necklaces made of 14 karat gold plating, brass and sterling silver, these are great options for everyday wear.
Best For Dainty Jewelry
Quince: Timeless Fine Jewelry Without The Markup
Quince 14k Gold Interlock Necklace
Price range: $30 to $2,000 | Shipping: Free Shipping | Return policy: Free returns for 365 days
Quince—known for responsibly-made, transparently-priced luxury staples with quality that competes with designer brands—brings that same approach to their selection of dainty designs perfect for daily wear. Their offering features delicate gold hoop and stud earrings with adornments like pavé diamonds and dangling freshwater pearls, slim, stone-studded rings and simple pendant and chain necklaces that will become the staples of your jewelry box.
Best For Statement Pieces
Shashi: Floral Showstoppers and Shimmering Head-Turners
Shashi Annabelle Earrings
Price range: $52 to $398 | Shipping: $8 | Return policy: Store Credit Within 30 days
When you feel like leaving subtlety at home and elevating your look, Shashi has a collection of oversized, elegant floral earrings, stackable gold bracelets and pavé chokers. They’ve also got great options for brides, like sparkling shoulder-sweeping earrings and classic pearl necklaces.
Best For Something Whimsical
Baublebar: Fashionable Jewelry With An Emphasis On Fun
BaubleBar Ella Earrings
Price range: $10 to $325 | Shipping: Free with orders of $75 | Return policy: Free for 30 days
Baublebar is an online hub for joyful jewelry with color and personality—great for gifts, teenagers and those with a sense of humor. Find sparkling earrings shaped like hot sauce bottles, customize necklaces and bangles with a name or select a stackable, beaded evil eye bracelet. They’ve even got a section just for kids, so little ones can sparkle, too.
At Forbes Vetted, we have deep experience in jewelry and accessories. We’ve covered an extensive selection of jewelry topics—including researching the best materials, brands and shopping experiences—that informed the selections made here. Additionally, the publishing of this piece was overseen by Forbes Vetted deputy fashion editor, Kari Molvar, who holds hold certificates in jewelry essentials from the Gemological Institute of America and the fundamentals of lab-grown diamonds from the International Gem Society.
How We Chose The Best Affordable Jewelry Brands
When selecting brands for this list, we started with our personal experience. The writer of this piece, Forbes contributor Lena Raff, and deputy fashion editor Kari Molvar both own jewelry from several of the brands that received top marks—including Mejuri, Pavoi and Ana Luisa—so we can personally attest to their quality. Then, we conducted extensive research on top brands, taking into consideration their range of styles, materials used, value, price point and shipping and return policies. We also made sure to choose brands that represented a variety of styles and product offerings, from luxury diamond jewelry to everyday fashion staples and more.
What To Consider About The Best Affordable Jewelry Brands
- Materials: It’s entirely possible to find beautiful, high-quality jewelry made from durable, stylish materials without blowing your budget. While solid gold and platinum usually command higher price tags, 14 karat gold-plated sterling silver or brass is an often lower-priced alternative that will still hold up nicely and won’t irritate skin like nickel has a tendency to do. Lab-grown gems also provide a sustainable alternative to more expensive natural stones.
- Style And Longevity: There are certain staples that make up the foundation of a jewelry wardrobe—sort of like the perfect pair of jeans or a great white t-shirt—that you’ll want to invest in since you’ll likely wear them regularly for years to come. For these foundational items, like hoop earrings or layering necklaces, you might want to splurge on solid gold or gemstones: We recommend Quince and Mejuri, or Vrai and Grown Brilliance if you’re going for a diamond piece. If you’re trying out a trend you’re not sure will stick, you may not want to spend as much—which is where a brand like Pavoi comes in, since you’ll still get good quality at a lower price point.
- Return Policy: Ideally, you’ll love your new jewelry purchase, but in case it isn’t exactly what you were looking for, a flexible return policy provides peace of mind. Always check the company’s policy before ordering, so you can be prepared if it doesn’t work out. Most of the brands listed here allow for returns within 30 days, but some have extra generous policies—like Quince, which gives you a full year to make returns.
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