I started with brands I know and love, as well as brands we at Wirecutter already recommend. Then I followed up with my colleagues and asked them about their favorite online options. I also filtered editorial reviews and sales sites and scrolled through social feeds. And I spent a day in New York City showrooms pretending my budget didn’t exist. After all that, I’ve put together a list of 34 products worth considering.
I then removed the list to include only those types that carried solid gold, gold vermeil, gold-filled, and other precious metal jewelry. We did not consider gold plated jewelry because its quality and durability can be sketchy. I also limited my range to classic styles that will stay relevant and available season after season, and focused on brands with great options under $1,000.
We created a huge spreadsheet to keep track of selections, return policies, warranties, sustainability practices, and prices (and how to find the pieces we wanted to buy). Our team then narrowed the list down to 15 brands. This list included not only companies we knew well but also new ones we hadn’t checked out before.
After finalizing the jewelry brands we wanted to test, we ordered three or four pieces from each side: a diamond huggie-hoop earring, a top-selling item in the brand’s collection, and something unique to the brand. We’re left with about 50 pieces – that’s some slick, shiny, precious stuff to go after.
We had eight jewelry lovers (ages ranging from 28 to 57) try on, play with, and scrutinize each piece without knowing what the brands were. Testers provided written feedback detailing style, quality, and value. We have not independently tested or verified the products’ claims about metals or stones.
Our selection is based on the following criteria:
Style: For each piece, we thought about whether we want to wear it. While that assessment is based on individual preference, this was not an attempt at self-centeredness. For example, even testers who can’t pull on a tennis bracelet can decide if it’s good or not.
Art: A piece of jewelry should instill confidence, so it should also be strong and durable. We checked the weight, clasps, and overall construction of each piece.
Amount: After the testers chose their favorite pieces, we revealed the retail prices and asked them to reconsider their opinions.
Customer service: We have only considered those brands with reasonable return policies and open warranties. We reviewed the stated policies through related discussions we saw on TikTok, online message boards and Instagram.
Traceability: A company’s labor practices, manufacturing technology, and environmental impact can all be murky areas to examine. However, we prioritized companies that expressed some commitment to values such as fair labor practices, low-emission production, and sustainable resource sourcing. We have not verified these statements.