Best place to buy jewelry online

Latest posts by Sabrina Lopez (see all)

Nowadays, the jewelry market is saturated with thousands of brands online. With so many high quality options, determining which brand is best, and why, can be overwhelming. As a jewelry expert certified in gemology and diamonds, I have done extensive research on jewelry brands to help you decide where you should make your next purchase (or at least take your options into account).

As a jewelry designer, I know very well that not all jewelry is the same; for example, there’s demi fine, fine jewelry and high jewelry, and choosing the “right” ring can vary considerably depending on the materials, the design, and craftsmanship of the piece. My goal in this article is to guide you through jewelry brands that I recommend based on their reputation, quality, design and price. Let’s look at the best brands in each category and break down the best place to buy jewelry online.

EVERYDAY JEWELRY

Fine jewelry for daily wear typically means jewelry that suits the office, the gym, or a night out with friends. You should look for timeless jewelry and small pieces so that wearing them doesn’t interfere with your daily activities.

My recommendation: Mejuri

This brand knows best when it comes to everyday jewelry. Mejuri has basic jewelry designs, as well as other options that are more sophisticated for everyday wear. Additionally, the label offers great fine jewelry (such as vermeil jewelry, 14k solid gold, sterling silver or even lab grown diamonds) which can be purchased without breaking the bank. 

BEST FEATURES

  • Affordable fine jewelry.
  • Timeless and minimalistic designs.
  • They offer piercing services in their stores.

What to look for: The dome ring + Charlotte bold hoops (made of sterling silver with a timeless and comfortable design).

DIAMOND JEWELRY

There are some requirements to be aware of that are very important when making the decision to purchase. First, you want a trusted seller with years of experience. Then, the diamond should be visible in high definition and there must be a 360° video. Next, it must be shipped with a certificate from a reliable laboratory (GIA or IGI). Finally, your purchase must have a warranty, that will give you greater security and confidence in the label.

My recommendation: Blue Nile

Blue Nile fulfills all the points I listed above (this is why it’s my first choice). Founded in 1999, the brand has many years’ worth of experience in the diamond industry and offers a wide variety of diamond jewelry for every budget. Whether you want just a solitaire diamond, an engagement ring, diamond stud earrings or a tennis necklace, I recommend you start looking here. 

BEST FEATURES

  • Wide variety of diamonds available
  • Large amount of ready to sell diamond jewelry
  • Product customization 
  • Free 30-day returns
  • They have 22 stores in the United States that you can visit

What to look for: The Four Prong Round Brilliant Lab Grown Diamond Stud Earrings, 14k white gold. I choose it because of its good value for money and for its classic and timeless design.

GOLD JEWELRY

Not all gold jewelry is the same. There are different types such as solid gold, vermeil, and gold plating. But the only one with true value that lasts a lifetime is solid gold. I would opt for 14k or 18k gold, as this type of jewelry has the highest value and durability.

My recommendation: Aurate

This New York-based label is my first choice for minimal gold jewelry, because of the good quality-to-price ratio. Aurate is a solid choice for selecting timeless minimalist gold jewelry for everyday wear.

BEST FEATURES

  • Recycled 14k and 18k gold
  • Timeless designs
  • Good quality – price gold match

What to look for: Solid Gold Herringbone Chain Necklace 14k yellow gold. I chose this item because it is classic, timeless and a good investment piece.

SUSTAINABLE JEWELRY

Sustainable jewelry labels use alternative methods to reduce their environmental impact. I’m talking about using recycled gold and silver, lab-grown diamonds, and traceable diamonds…with each, the idea is to reduce the carbon footprint to a minimum.

My recommendation: Grown Brilliance

Grown Brilliance sells ethical fine jewelry. They use 96% recycled gold for all their jewelry, they only sell lab- grown diamonds as an alternative to traditionally mined diamonds, and their packaging is made from 100% recyclable materials. 

BEST FEATURES

  • Recycled gold
  • Lab- grown diamonds only
  • Free 30 days returns

What to look for: Round Lab Grown Diamond Paper Clip Hoop Earrings, 14K White Gold. You can choose the metal and the size of the diamonds; it’s a design that will always be modern.

SILVER JEWELRY

Silver jewelry is trending this year, and my recommendation is always to buy sterling silver jewelry instead of silver plated jewelry. Why? Silver plating wears off over time; some pieces last longer than others, but it will eventually disappear. Sterling silver, on the other hand, lasts forever, and you can polish it to maintain its shine.

 My recommendation: Agmes

agmes

If you love sculptural sterling silver jewelry, Agmes is a perfect match. Founded in 2016 by designer Morgan Langl, this label is not afraid of making statement pieces. With Agmes, you’ll find trendy necklaces and bold jewelry pieces that boast the beautiful sheen of sterling silver. 

BEST FEATURES

  • Sculptural jewelry
  • They donated a portion of their online sales to nonprofit organizations.
  • Exclusive designs

What to look for: Simone Earrings, glamour and timelessness in sterling silver. 

UNISEX JEWELRY

Jewelry is an accessory worn by both women and men, which is why brands are increasingly focusing on gender-neutral collections. More and more, chains, rings, and earrings are designed to be worn by everyone, regardless of gender.

My recommendation: Tom Wood

jewelry

Tom Wood is a Norwegian jewelry brand, rooted in Scandinavian simplicity and innovation. The materials that they use for the jewelry are from 100% recycled and traceable 925 sterling silver to various alternatives of solid gold. 

Their collections are predominantly unisex, featuring chains of varying thicknesses, signet rings, and minimalist hoops.

BEST FEATURES

– Inclusive jewelry

– They only use 100% traceable, certified lab-grown diamonds.

-Prioritizes craftsmanship

What to look for: The Cushion Black Onyx, a simple and timeless signet ring with a custom cut Black Onyx Stone. The perfect every day ring for her or him.

GEMSTONE JEWELRY

If you’re interested in gemstones but don’t want to spend all your savings on a colored stone, there are many options you can choose from online. First, decide if you want a natural or lab-created colored gemstone, and then, the most important thing is to look for a seller with many years of experience and good customer reviews.

My recommendation: James Allen

jewelry

James Allen is known as one of the most important brands of engagement rings, but it is also one of the largest in colored gemstone inventory.

They have many gemstones available. Among their options are: rubies, emeralds, topaz, citrine, opals and many more. They also offer a wide variety of customizable pieces, where you can change the metal and the gemstone of the piece.

BEST FEATURES

  • Many options of gemstones available
  • Possibility of customizing the metal and the gemstone
  • Good image definition

What to look for: The 14K Yellow Gold Peridot Birthstone Necklace, it’s a great choice to give to someone special, or to simply treat yourself.

DESIGNER JEWELRY

The difference when we talk about designer jewelry lies in the design. Designer labels prioritize the exclusive design of a person’s vision. The goal for these labels is not to produce jewelry in mass quantities, but rather to create pieces with unique designs.

My recommendation: Sophie Buhai

jewelry

This LA-based brand was founded in 2015. Sophie Buhai’s collections uss a mix of solid metals and hand-carved stones. The jewelry is sculptural and handmade; her collections feature different stones such as onyx, quartz, jade, and pearls.

BEST FEATURES

  • Exclusivity in the designs
  • The label works with local teams of jewelers
  • Prioritizes craftsmanship

What to look for: The Nautilus collar, a necklace inspired by the natural shape of a shell. It is made to order.

LUXURY JEWELRY

The most luxurious jewelry stores are those that sell high-end jewelry. They use the highest quality materials in their production, such as 18k and 14k gold and platinum. Furthermore, they employ the highest quality craftsmanship in their exclusive designs. And of course, access to these pieces isn’t for everyone; purchasing requires a very high budget (otherwise it couldn’t be called luxury jewelry).

My recommendation: Spinelli Kilcollin

Best place to buy jewelry online

This fine jewelry label launched in 2010 and became very popular thanks to a set of interlocking rings, the “Galaxy rings”. The jewelry collections are made with precious metals, such as 18k yellow gold, platinum or sterling silver. 

BEST FEATURES

  • Handcraft by local artisans
  • Recycled metals
  • High jewelry
  • Precious metals only

What to look for: The Halley ring, made with white diamonds and 18k yellow gold. I recommend it if you’re willing to pay for a luxury item.

AFFORDABLE JEWELRY

The most affordable jewelry usually comes from brands that use cheaper metals like brass in their jewelry and then coat it in silver or gold, to avoid allergies. These brands often have pieces plated in gold or vermeil, because the cost is much lower than using solid gold. Going the affordable route is a good option for updating accessories, but you should know that doing so has a limited duration.

My recommendation: Missoma

The pioneers of demi-fine jewelry since 2007, this British brand has a wide variety of good quality jewelry at an affordable price. Missoma offers jewels made of brass and plated in silver or yellow gold, which makes them much less expensive. Shopping with them presents a good opportunity to take risks and mix jewelry styles according to the current trend.

BEST FEATURES

  • Low price
  • Larges pieces of jewelry
  • Free 60-Day Returns
  • They offer piercing services in their stores

What to look for: The Dome Pave Earring Set, which comes with two pairs of earrings. Chunky vermeil hoops and classic pavé huggies with cubic zirconia (synthetic diamond). You get two pairs of modern earrings without paying that much.

To finish

The best jewelry brand is the one that meets all your requirements. Whether you want to buy solid gold or sterling silver, have a large or small budget, want jewelry with or without diamonds, etc., shop based on what works best for where you’re at.

My recommendation is that you thoroughly compare brands, not only in price but also in materials and design. This is because the idea behind jewelry, at least for me, is that it be durable, and that depends totally on the materials used in its manufacture.

I hope these recommendations have been helpful when it comes to making your next purchase. As I mentioned before, the final decision will depend on which brand best suits your needs.

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