We Tested 2025’s Most Popular Jewelry Brands—Here’s What’s Worth Your Money

In a world where trends come and go with the swipe of a finger, finding jewelry that stands the test of time—both in style and durability—can feel like searching for a diamond in the rough. Over the past three months, our team has rigorously tested pieces from 2025's most buzzed-about jewelry brands, putting each through real-world wear tests, examining craftsmanship under magnification, and assessing overall value.

Whether you're looking to invest in a special piece or simply want everyday accessories that won't turn your skin green or fall apart after a few wears, we've done the legwork to help you shop smarter. Here's our honest breakdown of which brands truly deliver on their promises—and which ones you might want to skip.

Our Testing Methodology

Before diving into the results, let's talk about how we evaluated these pieces:

• Wear Testing: Each piece was worn for a minimum of 3 weeks in various conditions (showering, swimming, exercising, sleeping)
• Durability Assessment: We examined clasps, settings, and chain links both before and after the wear period
• Tarnish Resistance: Special attention was paid to how metals held up after exposure to skin oils, water, and products
• Cost-Per-Wear Analysis: We calculated the projected value based on expected longevity
• Sustainability Verification: We investigated each brand's environmental claims through independent research

Now, let's get to the findings that might surprise you.

The Standouts: Brands That Impressed Us

Meridian Fine Jewelry

Price Range: $180-$2,500

Meridian has been making waves for their lab-grown diamond pieces that look virtually identical to mined diamonds at a fraction of the cost. After testing their bestselling tennis bracelet and stud earrings, we can confirm: the hype is justified.

What impressed us most was the exceptional setting work—each stone was secure even after weeks of continuous wear. The 14k gold showed minimal scratching, and there was zero tarnishing or discoloration, even on our tester who has sensitive skin. Their transparent pricing (they break down material costs on their website) means you're getting genuine value.

Worth the Investment For: Everyday fine jewelry that you don't have to baby. Their pieces strike the perfect balance between special and wearable.

Solstice Collection

Price Range: $75-$450

For those seeking affordable luxury, Solstice Collection delivers remarkably well-made pieces without the luxury markup. Their vermeil (thick gold plating over sterling silver) held up surprisingly well in our tests, with minimal wearing at high-contact points even after continuous wear.

Their stackable rings remained bright and showed only minor signs of wear after our testing period. The brand's commitment to ethical manufacturing is also evident in the thoughtful construction of each piece.

Worth the Investment For: Mid-range pieces that look more expensive than they are. Ideal for trend-forward styles you want to wear for several seasons without breaking the bank.

Tectonic Metals

Price Range: $120-$950

The newcomer focusing on mixed-metal designs quickly became a team favorite. Their signature titanium and gold pieces not only create a striking aesthetic but proved remarkably durable—the titanium components showed zero scratching even after deliberately rough handling.

Their innovative clasps and connections are clearly engineered by people who understand jewelry frustrations. Nothing came undone accidentally, yet everything was easy to put on solo. The brand's 5-year warranty (rare in the jewelry world) reflects their confidence in their craftsmanship.

Worth the Investment For: Statement pieces with architectural designs that won't date quickly. The durability makes these ideal travel companions.

The Middle Ground: Good Options With Some Caveats

Luxe Minimal

Price Range: $50-$350

This minimalist brand delivers on style and receives high marks for their thoughtful packaging and customer experience. However, our testing revealed that their gold-filled pieces (not solid gold) began showing wear faster than expected, particularly on chains and clasps.

While still offering better quality than fast-fashion jewelry, their pieces require more careful handling than their marketing suggests. That said, their pearl collection proved more durable, with excellent weight and luster for the price point.

Worth the Investment For: Special occasion pieces that won't see daily wear. Their pearls offer particularly good value.

Nova Craft Jewelry

Price Range: $90-$600

Nova Craft made our "proceed with caution" list for inconsistent quality control. While some pieces we tested were exceptional (particularly their hand-finished silver work), others had issues with stones coming loose or clasps failing.

Their customer service was responsive when we reported issues, quickly sending replacements. However, needing replacements at all in a short testing period raises concerns about longevity.

Worth the Investment For: Their solid silver statement pieces, which were standouts. Skip their more delicate items with small stones.

Skip These: Brands That Disappointed

Lustre & Shine

Price Range: $35-$250

Despite boasting about their "premium materials," our testing revealed that Lustre & Shine's pieces began tarnishing within days. Their "gold-toned" description is deliberately vague—there's minimal actual gold content in the plating.

Multiple testers reported skin discoloration, and one pendant literally snapped at the bail after just two weeks. While their designs are undeniably eye-catching, the quality simply doesn't justify even their modest price points.

Better Alternative: For similar styles at the same price point, Solstice Collection offers vastly superior quality.

Elite Gems

Price Range: $400-$5,000

Perhaps our biggest disappointment came from Elite Gems, whose lab-grown diamond pieces commanded premium prices but showed alarming quality issues. Two of the pavé stones fell out of our test ring within the first week, and the prongs on their earrings bent with minimal pressure.

Given their positioning as a luxury brand, these failures were unacceptable. Their customer service also proved difficult when we attempted to use their warranty, requiring multiple follow-ups and ultimately offering only store credit rather than repairs.

Better Alternative: Meridian offers similar styles with superior craftsmanship at comparable or lower prices.

Best Value Finds: Unexpected Winners

Some brands surprised us by offering exceptional quality at prices that seemed too good to be true:

Harper Stone Basics

Price Range: $30-$150

This affordable brand was included almost as a control in our testing, but their solid sterling silver pieces outperformed competitors at twice the price. Their simple hoops and bands showed minimal tarnishing and held their shape beautifully.

While not positioning themselves as luxury, they deliver honest quality at fair prices. Their transparent approach—clearly labeling materials and explaining care requirements—was refreshing.

Best Buys: Their silver hoops and bands offer exceptional value for everyday basics.

Ember Artisan Collective

Price Range: $70-$400

This artisan-led brand creates limited-run pieces that showcase traditional metalworking techniques. Despite their modest prices, the solid bronze and silver pieces we tested developed beautiful patinas rather than uneven tarnish, indicating excellent material quality.

Their handcrafted nature means some slight variations between pieces, but the construction was consistently sound. The brand's direct relationship with their artisans also ensures ethical production—a claim we were able to verify through supply chain research.

Best Buys: Their mixed-metal cuffs and statement rings offer artisanal quality at production-line prices.

Shopping Smart: What We Learned

After three months of testing, some clear patterns emerged for identifying quality jewelry regardless of brand:

1. Weight Matters: Across all price points, heavier pieces generally indicated better materials and construction.

2. Clasp Quality Tells All: Even expensive brands sometimes cut corners on clasps and findings. Look for solid construction here as it often reflects overall quality.

3. Beware of Vague Material Descriptions: Terms like "gold-toned" or "silver-colored" are red flags. Look for specific alloy information.

4. The Rub Test: Gently rub the piece on a white cloth—quality pieces will leave minimal to no residue.

5. Ask About Repairs: Brands confident in their quality typically offer reasonable repair services. If they don't, consider it a warning sign.

Final Thoughts: Investing Wisely

The jewelry landscape in 2025 offers more options than ever, from traditional luxury brands to innovative direct-to-consumer startups. What's clear from our testing is that price doesn't always correlate with quality, and some newer brands are delivering exceptional value by cutting out middlemen rather than cutting corners on craftsmanship.

For pieces you plan to wear regularly, investing in solid gold or sterling silver remains the wisest choice for longevity. However, for trend-driven styles, some of the better gold-filled or vermeil options provide a reasonable compromise between quality and affordability.

Remember that even the finest jewelry requires appropriate care. Store pieces separately, keep them away from harsh chemicals, and clean them regularly using methods appropriate for their materials.

By focusing on craftsmanship rather than just brand names, you can build a jewelry collection that brings joy for years to come—without unnecessary splurging on pieces that won't last beyond a season.

Note: While we received some samples for testing, most pieces were purchased anonymously to ensure unbiased evaluation. This article contains no affiliate links or sponsored content.