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Is getting a wedding band from Quince a bad idea? It’s a third of the price of a local jeweler.

Grand Herald US session desk (2026-10-26): “I am slightly anxious about purchasing something so big” from an online retailer known for cut-price duplicates of popular clothes and accessories. Primary source: original at MarketWatch (marketwatch.com).

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Spring is a prime opportunity to check on your jewelry box and see what your collection is missing. Could it be a pendant of your favorite flower? A vintage-inspired dome ring? Or — if you're like me — maybe it's a pair of comfortable, everyday earrings you can shower and sleep in (that won't leave you with green lobes).
Whatever the case, our style editors have thoroughly tested dozens of jewelry brands across a range of budgets and styles. The top sources we tested push past overpriced heritage names and nebulous production practices, using direct-to-consumer business models that nix overhead costs.
A brand like Quince, for example, lets you pay a more palatable price that's closer to the true cost of making that beautiful gold necklace. We also tried out pieces from the popular online brand Ana Luisa, and years later we're still wearing its hypoallergenic jewelry.
Below are more of our favorite jewelry brands we've found quality gold, silver, and gem-encrusted designs that are made to last. Whether you like trendy, sculptural studs or dainty silver jewelry, here's where to find your next favorite piece (and not get overcharged in the process).

A quick look at some of our favorite pieces:

The pinnacle of customization, this necklace includes your zodiac sign, initial, a diamond and enamel heart of your choice. You can also choose the length and metal to make sure this piece goes with your vibe.

"These petite silver earrings strike the perfect balance between elegant and understated," says associate style editor Gabrielle Chase. "If you're shopping for a style minimalist, I'd go with these."

This tennis necklace boasts all the luxury and sparkle of diamonds without the diamond price tag. It's made of lab-grown white sapphires, which shine like diamonds but cost much less.

An eye-catching dome ring that adds personality to any stack. The bubbly shape is light enough to wear daily, but weighty enough not to spin around your finger.

This necklace has a sculptural teardrop pendant that subtly reflects light with its asymmetrical, oblong design.

This petite diamond huggie from Ring Concierge delivers subtle sparkle with a sleek, minimalist hoop — small enough to wear every day but classy enough to subtly elevate any outfit. Its streamlined design and delicate size make it a versatile, low‑key way to shine.

Best overall: Ana Luisa

Ana Luisa makes affordable jewelry that's designed to last. In fact, each piece comes with a two-year warranty so you know you won't be left with a snapped chain or a ring with stones missing. You can expect to spend about $70 a piece at Ana Luisa.

Though their jewelry is mostly dainty, their high-shine finish makes them really stand out. Plus, I have a nickel allergy, which means that low-quality instantly gives me a rash. Every piece I've bought from Ana Luisa is fully hypoallergenic and feels great against my sensitive skin.

The only drawback is its gold-plated pieces age much better than the silver-plated rhodium, which darkened after a summer of consistent wear. We recommend you stick to gold pieces when you shop Ana Luisa.

Read our full Ana Luisa jewelry review to learn more.

Best affordable fine jewelry: Quince

Now that it's hot out, you need your jewelry to be able to handle some salt water, chlorine, and sun exposure. All my Quince pieces have held up since I've worn them for days at a time this summer.
For minimalist styles at a minimal cost, Quince has a collection of solid gold jewelry that starts as low as $50. Quince is a direct-to-consumer brand that's able to offer solid gold, sterling silver, and diamond jewelry for less because they source straight from manufacturers, effectively cutting out the middleman.
In our Quince review, associate style editor Gabrielle Chase chose to try a customer favorite to get an idea of the quality.
"Even though these are really subtle and quite small, the Silver Threader Drop Earrings are a best-seller from Quince's jewelry collection. I gather it's because the style is so easy to put on and forget about — they're extremely lightweight, and made with 925 sterling silver so they won't irritate your skin if you have a nickel allergy," she says.
She also tried on one of its lab-grown diamond rings, which you can read about in our full Quince Diamond Engagement Ring review.

Best for customizable diamond jewelry: Brilliant Earth

If you're in the market for diamond jewelry, Brilliant Earth should be one of the first stops on your journey. Unlike the new crop of DTC diamond brands, Brilliant Earth has been around for two full decades. Plus, they also carry natural diamonds in addition to lab-grown stones. Their huge selection, ultra-customizable options, and options for both in-person appointments and virtual consultations make them the perfect happy medium between legacy jewelers and modern, online-first retailers.

Though this would be the perfect place to shop for engagement rings, I'm also a huge fan of their everyday jewelry. If you're looking to gift a special person a pair of sparkling studs or a diamond necklace (like I'm wearing above), this is the place. You'll be able to choose from tons of shapes, metals, and styles.

Best personalized: Oak and Luna

If you're looking for a great gift that shows you put a ton of thought into it, Oak and Luna is the perfect place to shop. Almost every piece on their site is completely customizable, with tons of nameplate necklaces, initial pendants, and more. There's even some jewelry that's meant to be a tribute to you and your partner, like this Initial Lock Necklace.

I absolutely love all my Oak and Luna pieces, especially the pearl choker with my middle name on it, pictured above. They ship quickly despite the time it takes to customize, and the pieces manage to make personalization cool rather than corny.

Best for quality basics: Mejuri

Toronto-based startup Mejuri, founded by a former art director and a former engineer and third-generation jeweler, drops new pieces every week of the year, and without fail, its largely female clientele return again and again to its 14-karat gold, gold vermeil, and sterling silver jewelry that's perfect for everyday wear.

Mejuri's mission is to have women "embrace a daily dose of luxury." With plenty of under-$150 options, it makes fulfilling this mission very achievable.
Check out our full review of Mejuri jewelry.

Best dome rings: Rellery

Dome rings are sculptural, all-metal rings that are a good gateway into statement jewelry. If you're not into huge gem-encrusted rings but still want some dimension to your stack, Rellery has cool checker print, wavy shell, or zebra patterned designs that serve as everyday staple pieces.

I've been wearing the Checker Ring Sets, which reminds me of that trendy MacKenzie-Childs teapot. They really pop next to a brightly-colored manicure and some bangles — the last time I was at a childrens' birthday party, both the moms and kids wanted to try them on. They're lightweight, but definitely solid enough to not spin around my finger. And for $95 each, they're a good value for gold vermeil.

Best statement earrings: Heaven Mayhem

If you're up on trends, then you know that chunky statement earrings inspired by the '80s Art Deco revival are everywhere right now. However, chunky doesn't have to mean heavy. My earlobes are sensitive to everything — nickel, weightiness, uncomfortable posts. But Heaven Mayhem manages to strike the balance between bold style, lightweight feeling, and high-quality materials.

The brand counts Hailey Bieber among their devotees. I wear the earrings with workwear to spice up a blazer look or on the weekends to add a statement piece to a simple outfit. These are the pairs that I keep reaching for over and over — and I'm looking forward to collecting even more of these standout pieces.

Heaven Mayhem also made our list of the best hoop earrings. Read more in our full Heaven Mayhem review.

Best style range: BaubleBar

BaubleBar is a great place to find both quirky and classic pieces to mix and match with. Its collections range from customizable bubble pendants to elegant, gold-plated chains.
"BaubleBar has such a range of jewelry that I think just about everyone could find something to their taste. If you're feeling crafty and colorful, I use its Ultimate Custom Bead Kit to make friendship bracelets with my long-distance best friend. On the flip side, it also has fine jewelry like tennis bracelets made with 18K gold-plated sterling silver — for any Charlottes of the friend group," says style editor Gabrielle Chase.
Furthermore, BaubleBar has partnerships with franchises like Disney and MLB to produce pieces like Mickey Mouse bracelets or baseball hoops, which make great gifts for the super fan in your life. 

For more of our favorite pieces we tested, see our BaubleBar jewelry review.

Best indie brands: Local Eclectic

"Local Eclectic is an online marketplace that specializes in featuring emerging and indie jewelry designers, over 94% of which are female-owned. The curation and aesthetic of the site evoke an eclectic, individualist flair that is unique to today's mass market brands.

I love how you can browse by their multitude of designers (and learn about their work) as well as more standard categories like price and material, so it's easy to find something according to your budget.
It's a great resource if you're into charm jewelry, as Local Eclectic has over 400 charms in its inventory. Their products ship quickly in beautiful, secure packaging that comes with a complimentary pouch.

Pictured above, I'm wearing the Opal Dancing Dreams Tennis Necklace by LA Kaiser, an iridescent candy-colored confection. The necklace is comprised of simulated opals and 18k yellow gold plated over brass. It's perfect for layering, but I love to wear it as a statement piece all on its own.

I also tried the Shades of You Ombre Birthstone Ring by For You, With Love, a brand exclusive to Local Eclectic. I love how it intricately combines various stones. The $50 ring is dainty yet durable for everyday use. However, I take mine off before I shower so I won't damage it. It's 14k yellow gold plated and features cubic zirconia, spinel, and simulated opal stones." — Jaclyn Turner, senior home editor, Insider Reviews

Best sculptural pieces: Jenny Bird

Jenny Bird's has some of our favorite affordable fine jewelry because the gold and silver plated steel is simply made for magpies, with high-shine finishes that catch and reflect the light in a way that feels almost statuesque.

The Mega U-link hoops started to droop on my ears after an afternoon of wear by the pool, but I've kept wearing them again and again because they're water resistant (unlike most chunky earrings). Plus, Jenny Bird got the bold, oblong hoop shape so right. I suggest instead getting the smaller U-Link hoops, which are bound to be easier on the lobes.

Best for lab-grown diamonds: Plum Diamonds

Plum Diamonds is a fantastic place to get affordable, lab-grown diamond engagement rings. But if you're not getting engaged anytime soon, you can still find tons of great pieces like diamond studs or hoops.

I tested the Marquise Dewdrop Hoops and was super impressed by the idea of getting real diamond drop hoops for under $700. They came in beautiful packaging, which makes them perfect for gifting. And the earrings themselves are beautifully sparkly, so lightweight that you can wear them all day, and perfect for dressing up any outfit.

The only issue that I have with these is the fact that the diamond dewdrop isn't secured onto the hoop. I was initially very dubious about this, since it makes me nervous that the diamond can slide right off. However, I did recently thread it onto a gold chain and wear the diamond as a tiny pendant — so it can be a plus or a minus, depending on your preferences.

Best mid-range luxury: Ring Concierge

Don't let the name fool you — in addition to the gorgeous custom engagement rings you'll spot on its Instagram page, Ring Concierge has a full line of necklaces, earrings, and bracelets to own and wear for a lifetime.

As true fine jewelry pieces, RC requires a larger budget than many brands on this list, but if you're looking to splurge on a tennis bracelet or a simple diamond stacking ring, you can find it for lower markups than many big-name jewelers. Many of the top sellers fall under $1000, including stacking rings and diamond ear cuffs for less than $200 that are a perfect entry point to building your collection.

Best for tennis necklaces: Dorsey

If you've ever admired the sparkling diamond necklaces worn by celebs on the red carpet but felt like the look was entirely out of reach, then consider Dorsey. The online jewelry brand makes statement pieces that would fit right in at an awards show, yet because they're mostly made from lab-grown white sapphires and plated sterling silver, the prices average around $200-$500.

Dorsey also has the option to splurge on lab-grown diamonds that fall in the $2,500-$4,500 range – not quite spare change, but still far less than red carpet jewels that regularly run $1 million or more. The brand's signature collar necklaces and tennis bracelets are standouts you can wear with everything from a T-shirt to an evening gown.

I tried their White Sapphire Rivière necklace and felt incredibly bougie with a dazzling tennis necklace around my neck. For around $700, it's a beautiful investment piece that is guaranteed to make jaws drop. The clasp is secure, the sapphires sparkle, and the gold feels great against my ultra-sensitive skin.

Best pendants: Awe Inspired

Awe Inspired makes some of the most unique and meaningful pieces we've found, and is beloved by celebrities like Taylor Swift, Halle Berry, and Meghan Markle. Awe's signature line is its collection of goddess-inspired necklaces ranging from mythical goddesses like Athena, the Greek goddess of heroic endeavor, to real-life "goddesses" such as Harriet Tubman.

If you don't know which goddess suits you best, Awe has a quiz you can take. And while the goddess collection offers plenty of swoon-worthy pieces, it's just the tip of Awe's offerings — you'll also find meaningful pieces inspired by amulets, affirmations, the zodiac, and more. Not only do all the pieces feel unique and personalized, but they're surprisingly affordable, with most necklaces coming in at under $200.

Best for quirky accent pieces: Annele

Annele offers fruit-inspired earrings look like bushels of juicy berries and are made from shimmering glass that beautifully catches the light. I have their iconic Candy Currant Jelly Earrings and they are the absolute perfect piece to wear in the summer with a breezy white dress and a rattan purse. You can get the same piece in a necklace to wear front and center and I guarantee you'll be drowning in compliments.

Best for colorful gemstones: Gemma Azzurro

Gemma Azzurro is a great place to shop if you're tired of the tiny gold hoops and minimalistic pieces that are the staples of many other brands. Instead, you'll find jewelry with colorful gemstones, pave chains, and bold motifs. The jewelry looks like it was inherited from a wealthy aunt (with a modern twist), but most pieces cost under $300. They're famous for their eye jewelry, but I'm a particularly big fan of their butterfly necklaces.

Best sterling silver: Zynnia Collective

We love Zynnia Collective for well-priced, on-trend jewelry. Their sterling silver collection is at a great price point, and I can say with confidence that the quality is absolutely there. My incredibly sensitive skin didn't react once, and the pieces have held up through showers and handwashing. I'm completely obsessed with the Spring Dangles (pictured above), which make the perfect accessory for summer dresses.

Best under $100: Gorjana

If you love the "I-just-threw-this-on" jewelry look, you're going to want to check out Gorjana. If you haven't heard of it already, this Laguna Beach-based brand is well-loved for its range of affordable, gold-plated pieces that range from simple and dainty to funky and trendy, which pretty much all cost under $100. If you want something a little more luxe and have extra room in your budget, Gorjana recently introduced a line of fine jewelry that's made up of solid 14-karat gold and diamonds.

Best classic diamonds: With Clarity

The diamond pieces from With Clarity offer the look and sparkle of traditional stones at a far more accessible price. The diamonds are typically well-cut and consistent in clarity, giving each piece a clean, modern feel that stands out without overpowering. Settings are designed to be lightweight yet sturdy, allowing the jewelry to withstand daily wear while maintaining a refined feel. It's a strong option if you want high-impact diamond jewelry — engagement rings, studs, or everyday pendants — without the premium tied to mined stones.

Best gold jewelry: Aurate

Aurate offers both minimal, everyday pieces as well as bold statement pieces, so you can create a well-rounded jewelry collection. Everything is crafted in New York City, which also means that NYC dwellers can enjoy same-day delivery of 14- and 18-karat gold, AAA pearls, and ethically sourced diamonds (the rest of the country gets free shipping).

Best trendy: Catbird

Known for its delicate rings and transparent sourcing, Catbird is the epitome of cool jewelry. At Catbird you can find delicate $50 stacking rings alongside sparkly engagement rings. It's fully transparent about the source of its materials and donates 1% of all sales to non-profits including the ACLU and Planned Parenthood.

Best beaded: Ink+Alloy

Ink + Alloy is the perfect place to get beaded pieces with tons of color. Their beaded word bracelets evoke a touch of camp nostalgia, which runs through many of their offerings. You can also get lots of pieces with bohemian touches, like their fringe earrings or their necklaces made our of mixed beads and stones. And while I love all their jewelry, a surprise hit for me was their beaded claw clip, which both functions as a statement piece and a highly functional hair accessory. There are spikes on the inside, so it really holds your hair.

Best for little diamonds: Italic

Italic is an online retailer where you can find clothing, handbags, home goods, and more that are made in the same factories as designers like Miu Miu and Prada — just without the label and for a fraction of the price. Recently, it added fine jewelry to the mix. You can now pick up timeless additions like diamond necklaces and solid gold huggie hoops for as little as $225 and $150, respectively.

Best for small earrings: Studs

When earrings are all you're after, Studs has a wide assortment to create your perfect earscape, making it atop pick as one of the best online jewelry stores for delicate earrings. It's here you'll find hoops of all sizes, simple studs, and huggies with cute charms that range from cowboy boots to lava lamps. What they all have in common is a dainty size and aesthetic that makes them easy to layer on your lobes. (If you're looking for large statement earrings, your time is best spent elsewhere.)
If you need another piercing to accommodate your new pieces, Studs can do so at its brick-and-mortar locations. Former associate news editor Ellen Cranley visited one and called it a "doctor's office-meets-Glossier aesthetic." 14-karat gold plating keeps the prices low, with starting prices at $14 for a single earring.

Best for astrology lovers: Sequin

Sequin makes jewelry that's stylishly eclectic. You can find necklaces made of baroque pearls, chokers adorned with star symbols, and gemstone earrings made to ward off the evil eye. Their selection of semi-precious pieces are beautifully designed to stand out. Plus, you can even make your own necklace by choosing from an array of ornate charms and gold chains.

Best for everyday pieces: Stone and Strand

Stone and Strand produces its own high-end jewelry and curates other like-minded brands on its site, creating an online space where shoppers aren't intimidated to explore fine jewelry. Most pieces are made of 14-karat solid gold — though you can also find more affordable gold-plated options — and the diamonds and gemstones used are ethically sourced and conflict-free. It's one of the best online jewelry stores for everyday pieces, including an exceptional collection of layering rings and necklaces.

Learn more on how the Reviews team tests accessories at BI.

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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected].