What jewelry is good quality?

The best jewelry brands make personal, unique pieces worthy of the top spot in your jewelry box, now and for years to come. Even though there’s no shortage of jewelry brands to shop from, deciphering which ones offer truly well-made gems and a great shopping experience online isn’t an easy task. Whether you’re looking for classic diamond earrings or something fun and affordable to give as a gift, we did the research on the top jewelry brands out there. A good place to start: Mejuri, which is our pick for the best jewelry brand overall.

The best jewelry brands offer a variety of styles to suit every taste, from sparkling studs to ... [+] minimalist stacking rings.

Other highlights include BaubleBar, which specializes in personalized pieces (especially initial charms), and Stone And Strand, where you’ll find stunning everyday necklaces, rings and bracelets that feature sustainable materials and modern-cool designs. For special occasions that call for fine jewelry—think anniversaries, graduations—your best bet is Brilliant Earth, and for engagement rings and all things wedding-related, we recommend Blue Nile. Ahead, all the best jewelry brands to make you shine.

Best Jewelry Brand Overall

Mejuri: Stunning Pieces For All Tastes, At A Range Of Prices

Mejuri

Mejuri Wishbone Stacker Set

Price range: $38 to $3,500 | Shipping: $8 or free on orders $75 and up | Return policy: Free 30-day returns

If you’re searching for everyday jewelry, Mejuri is our top choice. Forbes Vetted senior fashion editor Kari Molvar shops for gold hoops here, and the brand is also popular for everything from minimalist-cool rings to bold bracelets to organically shaped necklaces. The brand also carries an excellent range of men’s jewelry (especially bracelets and rings) and emphasizes sustainable materials and transparent prices, making it a solid place for all your jewelry needs.

Best Fine Jewelry Brand

Brilliant Earth: Timeless Pieces For Special Moments

Brilliant Earth

Brilliant Earth Round Diamond Stud Earrings

Price range: $75 to $80,000 | Shipping: Free on all orders | Return policy: Free 30-day returns for rings, loose diamonds and gemstones; for other items, return shipping fee that varies per order

Whether it’s diamond studs, a tennis bracelet or a unique piece to commemorate an important milestone, Brilliant Earth has some of the best fine jewelry and gemstones on the market. The Brooklyn-based jeweler specializes in responsibly-sourced materials—including rigorously selected natural diamonds that meet strict ethical standards set by the Kimberley Process—and stunning lab-grown diamond jewelry created with a zero-carbon footprint. The brand also offers hassle-free shipping and returns, so you can shop with peace of mind.

Best Jewelry Brand For Engagement Rings

Blue Nile: Excellent Style Selection And Customer Service

Blue Nile

Blue Nile Petite Nouveau Six-Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring

Price range: $250 to $15,500 (for ring settings) | Shipping: Free on all orders | Return policy: Free 30-day returns

Blue Nile is unmatched when it comes to engagement ring shopping. The Seattle-based brand has more than 150,000 loose diamonds and 250 settings to browse so you can create a masterpiece. The brand also has ready-to-ship pieces too that cut down on design time if you're looking for a ring in a hurry.

Best Affordable Jewelry Brand

Quince: Versatile Pieces For Everyday Wear

MOST POPULAR

Quince

Quince Bold 14K Gold Hoops

Price range: $30 to $1000 | Shipping: Free | Return policy: Free 365-day returns

Quince’s jewelry offerings come at incredibly reasonable prices, but that’s not because they’re low-quality. Rather, Quince cuts out supply chain costs including warehousing and storefront retail, making luxurious items like solid gold hoops and gemstone necklaces much more accessibly priced. Quince’s website lists the traditional retail cost next to the price of each item, so you can see how much you’re saving. With free shipping on all orders and a generous 365-day return window, Quince makes online jewelry shopping as easy as can be.

Best Jewelry Brand For Personalized Pieces

BaubleBar: Fun Pieces That Make Great Gifts

BaubleBar

BaubleBar 14K Gold & Diamond Initial Bracelet

Price range: $30 to $1000 | Shipping: $8 or free on orders $75 and up | Return policy: Free 30-day returns

BaubleBar is another trusted (and often recommended) jewelry brand among the Forbes Vetted fashion team. The New York City-based brand specializes in personalized rings, necklaces, bracelets and even blankets, all at reasonable prices. If you like to layer your jewelry, BaubleBar also has plenty of stacking bundles for creating unique looks. The quality here is good—pieces won’t last as long as fine jewelry—but the prices aren’t investment-level either.

Best Jewelry Brand For Lab-Grown Diamonds

Vrai: Sustainable And Well-Priced

Vrai

Vrai Solitaire Necklace

Price range: $195 to $67,000 | Shipping: $10 flat fee on all orders | Return policy: $200 recycling fee for all returns

Lab-grown diamonds are, as the name suggests, man-made. The diamonds are formulated in a dedicated space and replicate exactly what happens in nature—except for the mining practices. Vrai makes their diamonds from greenhouse gas crystallized in its San Francisco foundry, and offers an extremely wide variety of styles from solitaire necklaces to stud earrings to tennis bracelets. The shopping experience is elevated and elegant, which makes browsing (and buying) very tempting.

Best Jewelry Brand For Trendy Pieces

Celebrity Favorite That's Affordable Too

Jenny Bird

Jenny Bird Faye Knockers Earrings

Price range: $40 to $328 | Shipping: $10 or free for orders $100 or more | Return policy: Free returns within 14 days of delivery date

Toronto-native jewelry designer Jenny Bird started her brand in 2008, and since then has built up a loyal clientele that includes fashion influencers and celebrities including Michelle Williams, Kylie Jenner and Selena Gomez. Her pieces are sculptural and bold yet also wearable for everyday; the gold Faye Knocker hoops are a standout and bestseller. You’ll also find daintier pieces, like slim link bracelets and necklaces, as well as playful, on-trend pieces (think squiggly earrings).

Best Jewelry Brand For Cool Classics

Stone And Strand: Everyday Pieces With A Modern Twist

Stone And Strand

Stone And Strand Huggie Earrings

Price range: $40 to $13,700 | Shipping: Free on all orders| Return policy: Free 100-day returns

New York City-based Stone And Strand is known for everyday fine jewelry at prices that won’t make you faint. The female-run brand was founded in 2013 by Nadine McCarthy Kahane while she was getting her MBA at Wharton, and since then, Stone And Strand has expanded to become a favorite for modern-classic pieces like its best-selling diamond initial charm necklace and diamond pavé huggies.

Best Jewelry Brand For Bold Pieces

Cult Gaia: Fashion Influencer Favorites

Cult Gaia

Cult Gaia Nora Choker

Price range: $98 to $548 | Shipping: $10 ground shipping | Return policy: 14-day returns

Launched in 2012, Cult Gaia became a hit among fashion bloggers for its fun bamboo clutch bags, and since then, the California brand has expanded into beautiful jewelry. Designs often feature large, geometric shapes that stand out and instantly dress up any outfit—from jeans and a white tee to black dresses. The prices are reasonable as well, and the brand’s pieces often sell out.  

Best Brand For Birthstone Jewelry

Brook And York: Meaningful And Sophisticated Pieces

Brook & York

Brook And York Mackenzie Birthstone Initial Pendant

Price range: $60 to $220 | Shipping: Free on all orders | Return policy: 60-day returns for non-personalized items

Birthstone jewelry is always a thoughtful gift and something unique to wear. Connecticut-based Brook And York specializes in the genre, with a wide selection of unique options from necklaces to bracelets to earrings. Pieces are made from locally-sourced materials, including gold, silver and rose gold, and have a refined, sophisticated aesthetic.

Best Jewelry Brand For Gifting

Gorjana: From Stacking Bracelets To Fine Jewelry

gorjana

Gorjana Parker Bracelet

Price range: $20 to $4,500 | Shipping: Free standard shipping | Return policy: Free 30-day returns

In 2004, Gorjana and Jason Reidel founded Gorjana in Laguna Beach, California. The brand quickly became known for its laidback, coastal-cool jewelry that completes everyday outfits but never outshines the wearer. The designs range from gold link bracelets to stacking rings to bar necklaces you can personalize with your initials or name. The styles are versatile to match pretty much anyone’s taste yet also feel special and one-of-a-kind.  

Best Jewelry Brand For Men

Miansai: Everyday Minimalist Pieces

Miansai

Miansai Juno Leather Bracelet, Sterling Silver

Price range: $40 to $200 | Shipping: Free on all orders| Return policy: Free 30-day returns

The men’s jewelry market is rapidly expanding; since 2008, Miansai has been turning out high-quality, affordable pieces that are great for everyday wear and for gifts. The brand’s bestsellers include rugged bracelets, refined chain necklaces and signet rings. There are plenty of options for understated guys, as well as for those who prefer bolder statements.

Best Jewelry Brand For Teenagers

Pieces That Look Expensive And Are Affordable

Girls Crew

Girls Crew Kaleidoscope Butterfly Adjustable Ring

Price range: $22 to $980 | Shipping: $5 or free on orders $100 and up | Return policy: Store credit only within 30 days of delivery

Teenagers are tricky to shop for on many levels. When it comes to jewelry, many brands skew too young, too mature or too expensive. Girls Crew strikes the right balance with jewelry that’s playful yet sophisticated and comes in endless styles to match different wearers’ aesthetics. The pieces are high quality, too (Molvar regularly buys its earrings and necklaces), and come in pretty gift pouches.

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

At Forbes Vetted, we’ve researched and written a wide catalog of jewelry stories that make it easy to select the right piece for any occasion; we’ve penned shopping guides on everything from wedding bands to bracelets for men. The publishing of this piece was overseen by senior fashion editor Kari Molvar, who holds a certificate in fashion styling from the Business of Fashion. Molvar also lent her expertise to the co-authors of this story by sharing her go-to jewelry brands.

This article is regularly updated to ensure that our picks are still the best of the best. In December 2023, fashion writer Claire Epting added Quince as the best affordable jewelry brand and renamed BaubleBar as our top pick for personalized pieces.

How We Chose The Best Jewelry Brands

When making selections for this list, we first took into account recommendations from Molvar, who has bought pieces from both Mejuri and Girls Crew. Then, we extensively researched top jewelry brands, considering factors such as price range, shipping fees and return policies. To accommodate different budgets (and tastes), we included retailers that offer high-end, specialty pieces as well as ones that carry affordable, casual options. We also made sure to include an option for those hunting for the perfect engagement ring: Blue Nile.

What To Consider About The Best Jewelry Brands

Whether you’re picking out your next bespoke piece or searching for the perfect gift, there are a few things to keep in mind when shopping at an online jewelry store.

Materials

A good jewelry brand offers pieces made from a wide selection of materials to suit your needs and budget. The highest quality jewelry is typically crafted from solid metals such as platinum, silver and gold, and while these pieces come at a premium price, they last a lifetime and won’t irritate sensitive skin. Meanwhile, less expensive pieces tend to be made of gold plated sterling silver or brass, so they’re more prone to tarnishing over time. Gemstones, too, fall on a spectrum of quality. Diamonds, while pricey, hold their value over time, while more affordable cubic zirconia is more prone to scratches with frequent use.

Regardless of your jewelry’s materials, regular maintenance is key to keeping your pieces looking their best. We recommend gently washing them with a jewelry cleaner, then polishing them with a microfiber cloth.

Versatility

If you’re the kind of person who wears jewelry frequently, invest in pieces that can be mixed and matched with the majority of your wardrobe and layered with other jewelry (think pendant chain necklaces, eternity rings and so on). On the other hand, if you’re looking for a statement piece for an event, such as a wedding, look for versatile pieces like bold earrings or a chunky choker that stands out. Mejuri and Quince are great brands for everyday pieces, while Jenny Bird and Cult Gaia offer trendy, modern designs.

Return Policy

While you or your recipient will hopefully love the pieces you picked, sometimes your jewelry purchase just doesn’t work out. The best jewelry brands accept returns in case you change your mind, and many retailers, including Blue Nile, waive return shipping fees. The return window varies from brand to brand, with Quince offering the most flexibility by far with free returns for 365 days after the purchase date.

More Jewelry Stories To Shop:

The monetary value of jewellery can range significantly from piece to piece. Objects we place a great deal on may be worth a few dollars, yet something that appears as simple as a necklace may be worth hundreds. So, let's imagine that you came upon a piece of jewellery on the ground or that you purchased a stone that looks fantastic at a yard sale.

If that's the case, you've probably experienced the excitement of pondering the question of whether or not the newly obtained jewel is worth anything at all. Before you take the hidden treasure you found to an appraiser and hand over your cash, there are a few things you can do on your own to prepare it.

The metal itself is the first item that should be taken into consideration. Some manufacturing facilities try to maximise their profits at the expense of consumers by cutting costs wherever they can. One of these methods is to use metal that has been plated. To put it more plainly, this indicates that the actual metal is only used for the plating on the exterior of the jewellery.

On the other hand, on the inside, you will generally find junk metal that has no place being displayed to the public in such a manner. If the plating on the metal ever wears away, the unprotected metal will come into close contact with your skin. But you deserve better, so visit Temples Grace to view the exquisite jewellery that they have to offer.

How To Tell If Your Jewellery Is Valuable

Is It A Respectable Seller?

Be vigilant while bidding on eBay or Shpock or looking through classified ads on Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace. The sites are not monitored, so anyone may sign up to sell or buy, yet there are some excellent bargains to be had. Verify the seller's rating and experience. View what other people's experiences have been like on these sites by reading reviews, a feature offered by the vast majority. Check the listing to see if the item is brand new. Is a photo available? Is the merchant showing generic examples or your actual item? Be wary of purchasing anything from an unregulated marketplace, as fakes can flourish there. Even better, stick with reputable jewellers you know you can trust to sell you only authentic pieces.

If you buy vintage jewellery from just any old store, whether it's online or in person, you're guaranteed to get a fake and overpay for it. That's why you should only buy vintage jewellery from stores you know you can trust by doing background checking first. Vintage rings from Berganza are a fantastic example; they have attractive designs and come with useful extras like the year they were made and the designer's story. For example, if you know that a ring was manufactured around 1900, you can be confident that it is indeed an antique.

Check The Branding

Authenticity marks are commonplace on branded goods, especially luxury labels. Verify this to ensure the designer's name is indeed on the item. Many vendors of counterfeit jewellery now include false hallmarks in their products. These may appear authentic at first glance, but red flags become apparent upon closer inspection. Carefully inspect the hallmark on your jewellery for consistency with the designer regarding fonts, layout, and spelling.

Check The Quality

If something isn't authentic, it's usually easy to tell right away because of the poor quality. Be sure the craftsmanship of your jewellery is up to par by giving it a thorough inspection. The links in a necklace or bracelet shouldn't look pinchy but relatively smooth and substantial. Inspecting the mounting and setting of any stone in a piece of jewellery is essential. Costume jewellery can easily pass for the real thing, but a careful inspection will reveal that the rocks are usually just glued in place. These details may seem evident initially, but they're easy to miss in a photograph or online illustration.

Check The Stones

While poorly produced jewellery is usually obvious to spot, a fake gemstone might be warned off by how immaculate it seems. Because gems are composed of minerals, just like any other type of rock, they might include inclusions and other imperfections. Diamonds are also formed naturally, and when viewed under magnification, they frequently exhibit defects comparable to those found in other gemstones. To deceive those not on guard, imitation diamonds and other precious stones are typically crafted out of a combination of plastic and glass, giving them the illusion of being unnaturally flawless.

Did You Receive Certification And Documentation?

Any diamond you buy should come with a certificate verifying its origin and quality. This information can come from any of the reputable gemological institutes. You should insist on receiving certification for your jewellery if it does not go with it. Be careful to read additional instructions, such as cleaning or caring for your jewellery that may come with your purchase. The quality of the printing, as well as the language and spelling, might give away counterfeit goods.

Analyse The Style Of A Piece Of Jewellery

An item of jewellery's design can tell you a lot about its antiquity and authenticity. Because jewellery, like other forms of apparel, can be updated to reflect the aesthetics of the time period in which it is worn. For instance, jewellery from the 1910s to the 1930s typically has white metal. Therefore pieces from this time period should be set in silver, white gold, platinum, or at least a metal that looks like silver. However, due to its high demand, gold was in low supply during World War II. Thus jewellery manufacturers often had to bond gold with silver. If you keep these things in mind while you browse for jewellery, you may be confident that you are getting authentic vintage pieces.

Look For hallmarks

Examining the piece for hallmarks should be one of the first things you do after purchasing jewellery. The metal content of an item can be determined from one hallmark and its country of origin, designer, or maker from a second. In most cases, you can find these inscriptions on the necklace clasp, ring shank, bracelet shank, or earring back. All fine jewellery should be hallmarked unless it is over 100 years old or the hallmark has worn away.

The hallmarks 18K, 14K, 10K, 750, 585, and 375 indicate the gold's purity. Platinum is typically hallmarked with the numbers 950, PLAT, or PLAT. 925, Silver 800, and Sterling are all familiar silver hallmarks. There are many trademarks to choose from, but rest assured that the mere presence of a hallmark on your jewellery indicates its quality.

A word of advice: if your piece looks like an antique but has no hallmark, you should have it appraised. The absence of hallmarks on a seemingly new piece of jewellery is a strong indicator that it is, in fact, just costume jewellery.

Check The Weight Of The Item.

When evaluating necklaces or bracelets, this is of fundamental importance. Gold and silver are usually more substantial than brass and pewter, often used as imitations. A broad gold chain that is noticeably lighter than another similar gold chain is probably not real gold but a cheaper imitation.

False links in a chain look and feel artificial. Jewellery made of solid gold is uniformly shiny, substantial, and smooth. For instance, if a gold-coloured chain is darker or even silvery in areas that undergo heavy wear, it is probably a gold-plated chain and not very valuable. When a piece of jewellery made of solid gold or platinum wears down, the exposed metal should maintain its original hue. White gold is an exception to this rule.

The length and weight of your gold or platinum jewellery are the most critical factors in determining its worth.

Inspect The Prongs

Even though some high-end costume jewellery uses prongs like fine jewellery, most stones are glued into place. If the cameo in your brooch appears glued into the setting rather than held in place by prongs, it is likely costume jewellery and not worth anything. Except for pearls, all stones in fine jewellery will be set in elaborate bezels or prongs.

Some pieces of vintage costume jewellery can be expensive, mainly if they feature numerous sparkling stones in prongs. Sometimes these items can be as precious as a good jewellery set. Be sure the piece is authentic vintage jewellery, in good condition, set with many sparkling, unblemished stones of various colours and free of dirt and grime.

No Filler Either, Thanks

Another telltale symptom of low-quality body jewellery is the presence of fillers. To save cost, combining a genuine metal with another metal is not recommended. While this practice is common among businesses looking to cut costs, it raises employee health concerns. Many people are allergic to nickel, the most commonly used low-grade metal filler known to irritate the skin. The situation is quite risky. Don't even think about it.

High Quality Threading Only

Threading is another critical consideration. Although the external and internal threading may appear identical at first glance, there is a significant difference between the two. How can you notice the difference now? Determine what will penetrate the surface of the skin when examining a piece. This is quite risky if that part has to thread on it. When putting it on or taking it off, you could easily cut or puncture your skin with a sharp object. It is recommended that the post of any body jewellery be smooth and rounded for the sake of safety.

Sterilised For Wear

When it comes to jewellery of higher quality, it is always better to sterilise it first before wearing it. Because of its ability to destroy pathogens and bacteria so thoroughly, steam under high pressure and heated to a high temperature is ideally suited for this application. The proliferation of microbes on an object can be encouraged by specific methods, such as boiling.

A Mirror Finish

An excellent indicator of high-quality body jewellery is a mirror-like sheen. It will not only make your skin glow, but it will also be gentle on your skin. After some time, your skin will react negatively to roughness or defects, leading to inflammation, desensitisation, and other issues. If your piercing is still healing, you should take great care to avoid doing this, as it may slow the healing process and increase scar tissue formation. Make sure your work is as brilliant as a diamond! Otherwise, you'll come to regret your decision deeply.

Always Long-Lasting

The more money you spend, the longer your investment will last. Cheaper materials or sloppy craftsmanship can shorten the lifespan of a piece of jewellery. To that end, you should only purchase jewellery made from pure metals (gold being the finest), guarantee only high-quality gemstones, avoid wearing plastic, and so on.

Everything about it, inside and out, must be flawless to pass inspection. You shouldn't find any flaws like rough spots or uneven colouring anywhere. If there are, the item should be returned for adjustment or replacement. Never put your safety in jeopardy.

Now, it's hardly a walk in the park to go out and look for these indicators in the wild. The best option is to get in touch with the store you plan to buy from and enquire about the quality of their body jewellery. Knowing whether or not what they produce is of excellent quality and safe to wear can be helped by asking the questions we've discussed.

When you doubt the quality of a piercing jewellery company, it's always a good idea to check with a professional studio. Lastly, the cost is a strong predictor of value. Many shoppers, especially those who aren't as savvy, can't resist the allure of cheap body jewellery.