Jewelry is as personal of a preference as our favorite foods. I, for one, am obsessed with dainty necklaces and can’t go a day without my go-to earring stack. Meanwhile, other fashion girls are rocking this season’s biggest jewelry trends with huge pendants and pearl pieces. And don't even get us started on the debate between silver jewelry and gold. Whatever your personal style, there are quite literally hundreds of jewelry brands across the world wide web to choose from when looking to add a new piece to your collection. But shopping for jewelry online isn’t nearly as daunting of a task as it may seem, we promise.
Us bauble-lovers at MC did the work for you, searching high and low through the endless offerings to bring you our guide to the best online jewelry stores. These brands and retailers offer a wide range of exquisite styles, impeccable customer service, and the best materials you could want in an investment piece—because, let’s be real, jewelry is an investment. No matter the occasion or your personal style, this list is your ultimate guide to finding your next favorite necklace, ring, bracelet, and more. We’ve also included some affordable jewelry brands for those of us on a budget.
What to Look For in Online Jewelry
- Materials. When you can't get a look or feel for a jewelry piece IRL, the best indicator of quality is going to be materials. For fine jewelry, consider 14k gold, platinum, silver, or cobalt, for a piece that'll last decades (when cared for properly) as these metals are especially durable. For a more affordable option, look towards gold-filled jewelry instead of gold-plated since these pieces are bonded to the base, and are therefore much more durable. Not to be confused with gold-plated jewelry, gold vermeil is a great material, too, for those on a budget as it's a thick, long-lasting layer (usually 2.5 microns thick) of 18k solid gold over sterling silver. Additionally, jewelry with stainless steel as the base is a great option as stainless steel is more resistant to the elements.
- Customer Service. Just like with fashion, you never really know how a piece of jewelry is going to look in person, so it's always a good idea to shop from brands with excellent customer service. Before hitting "purchase" on a piece, especially an investment piece, make sure the brand you're shopping from is communicative with their customers and that their shipping and exchange policy works for you. Some brands (like a few listed below) even offer virtual consultations if you need extra help with picking out a special piece. All in all, a little extra research when buying jewelry online will go a long way.
The Best Online Jewelry Stores
Mejuri
Well-known by celebrities, influencers, and editors alike, Mejuri makes the kind of fine jewelry pieces you can wear every single day. Each stunning piece is created by their in-house design team and is a minimalist’s dream. Mejuri also has a two-year warranty on its pieces and is committed to being a sustainable jewelry brand—currently, the brand uses 80 percent recycled gold and 20 percent newly mined gold from responsible sources, with an ongoing mission to ensure 100 percent of its gold is traceable.
BaubleBar
BaubleBar is an excellent choice for those looking for budget-friendly, yet fun pieces. The brand’s extensive range of necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, and more all have a cheerful touch, whether it be through vivid colors or playful designs. Most pieces won’t cost you more than $100, but they also have a fine jewelry line with pieces made from 14k and 18k gold, which rings in at under $200. Many designs can be personalized, making this brand a great gifting option.
Jennybird
Hailey Bieber, Ellen Pompeo, Celine Dion, and Maren Morris all count themselves as fans of this jewelry brand, and it’s not hard to see why. Created by self-taught designer Jenny Bird, her namesake collection features classic designs with a subtle modern twist. These pieces can be worn day to night and look so much more expensive than their under-$200 price tag. I, along with the rest of the fashion crowd, am especially obsessed with the brand’s Nouveau Puffs—they make any outfit look chic in an instant and don’t weigh down my ears.
Missoma
London-based jewelry brand Missoma features a wide range of dainty, delicate-looking pieces that still make a statement. Missoma’s varied jewelry collection is made of pieces you can wear every day, but have subtle design differences to make you stand out from the crowd. Mix and match the brand's layer-friendly pieces to your heart’s content, or choose one of their pre-made sets. Either way, you’re in good hands. Prices range from $38 to about $4k for their fine jewelry line.
Catbird
Catbird is the ultimate jewelry line for those with a penchant for vintage-looking pieces. Their styles range from minimalist everyday pieces to dainty antique-inspired rings, but all of them are treasures to keep in your collection for years to come. Catbird also offers virtual styling appointments and has an online gift-finder service in case you need extra help in picking out a special piece.
Brilliant Earth
Brilliant Earth makes fine jewelry you’ll feel good about wearing. The brand is wholly committed to ethical sourcing, transparency, and sustainability. From their conflict-free diamonds and their 93 percent recycled gold down to their recycled wooden packaging, Brilliant Earth’s brand mission is something to support. It also doesn’t hurt that their huge selection of diamond and gemstone rings are out-of-this-world gorgeous
Joey Baby
Pearl lovers especially are going to fall in love with Joey Baby New York. Most of the brand’s collection features stunning freshwater pearls in fun designs. Each piece is made by hand with the finest materials and attention to detail. What’s even better is that these high-quality pieces are insanely affordable. We’re talking “under-$50” affordable. Once you see the fun, lively pieces from Joey Baby, you’ll be convinced that pearls deserve a spot in your jewelry collection.
Gorjana
If you want to exude that effortless California cool girl vibe, this is the jewelry brand for you. Each of Gorjana’s pieces is easily stackable to suit your fancy, taking out the hard work of styling. And if you really struggle to come up with your own stack, the brand offers bundles of expertly curated pieces for an easy look. The brand’s more affordable 18k gold-plated pieces range from $30 to $150, while their fine jewelry line made from 14k gold ranges from $150 to $4,500, depending on the gemstones used.
The Last Line
Calling all color lovers! The Last Line’s extensive collection is a myriad of rainbow-colored necklaces, huggie hoops, charms, and more. Each piece is made of 14k gold, and precious and semi-precious gemstones, which means these fine jewelry pieces are sure to last a lifetime. In fact, the brand’s motto is “this is the last line of jewelry you’ll ever need.”
Bonbonwhims
Feast your eyes on the funkiest, coolest jewelry line you’ve ever seen. Founded by Clare Ngai in 2020, this brand offers up original pieces inspired by Y2K trends and a heavy dose of nostalgia. Think chunky resin rings, enamel charms, and campy beaded bracelets all under $200. I strongly believe that it’s impossible to be sad while wearing a piece from Bonbonwhims.
J’Aime New York
If you haven’t heard of J’Aime New York yet, allow me to introduce you to one seriously cool fine jewelry line. Designer and entrepreneur Jaime Love created her namesake jewelry line with the style and edginess of New York City, where she was born and raised. J’Aime’s pendant necklaces are especially unique, with charms like melted peace signs, animal heads, and guitar picks taking center stage. The brand even offers full bespoke consultation services so you can help create a one-of-a-kind piece (or repurpose an old favorite) with the help of their expert designers
Net-a-Porter
Sure, you may know Net-a-Porter from their incredible inventory of designer clothing, but don’t sleep on their Jewelry and Watches section. The e-retailer offers over 15,000 pieces in its collection with prices starting at $30 and going upwards to the tens of thousands of dollars (there’s even diamond tiaras, if you’re in the market for one). You may have to browse through their extensive collection for a bit, but I guarantee you’re going to find your next favorite piece here. The site also has a super handy exchange and return policy—create a return or exchange return online within 28 days of purchase, then book a complementary collection.
Stone and Strand
Investment pieces don’t necessarily have to be classic, simple styles. If you’re looking for something a little more fun to add to your collection, look to Stone and Strand. The brand offers a ton of candy-colored stud earrings, tennis bracelets, and rings along with diamond-encrusted options as well. This brand is especially great for those looking to build their go-to earring stack—their wide options of stud and hoop earrings (available in singles and pairs) make it the perfect place to fill your piercings. They also offer a ton of styling inspo on their website, too.
Agmes
New York-based Agmes is a jewelry line inspired by architecture and modern art, which absolutely translates in their pieces. The brand’s minimalist pieces all have a sculptural element, so you’ll feel like your wearing actual art. This brand is made all the better with its sustainability practices. Agmes uses almost all recycled metals in their pieces, works in small, in-house batches, and has a zero-waste approach to their production.
Laura Lombardi
To feel like a cool girl in an instant, wear a piece from Laura Lombardi. The New York-based jewelry line is full of bold chains, sculptural earrings, and statement bracelets. Each piece has an industrial feel, but is mixed with Lombardi’s native New York style and classic Italian motifs. Pieces are typically under $300, while most are under $200, but they could definitely be mistaken for designer pieces.
Vrai
In case you didn’t know, mined diamonds come with a high human and environmental cost. If you’re looking for ethical diamonds you can proudly wear, look no further than Vrai. Vrai diamonds are created in their zero-emission foundry, then cut and polished by master jewelry craftsmen, so no guilt comes with your jewelry shopping. From their stunning engagement rings to their dazzling necklaces, Vrai’s diamond jewelry are pieces you’ll never want to take off.
Blue Nile
You may know of Blue Nile as one of the top engagement ring brands out there, but trust me their other offerings are just as gorgeous. What makes Blue Nile truly special is that you can build your own special piece of jewelry from the comfort of your home. Whether you are choosing your own ring for that finger, or are looking to add a one-of-a-kind pendant or earrings to your collection, Blue Nile can make your vision become a reality. The brand even offers virtual appointments with their diamond experts so you can ask questions and see jewelry from plenty of angles. Outside of diamonds, there's a ton of gemstone and birthstone pieces that make for great gifts, too.
Ana Luisa
Another affordable jewelry brand the MC team loves is Ana Luisa. Each and every piece is hypoallergenic, tarnish- and water-resistant, even with their affordable prices. What's even better is that Ana Luisa is committed to sustainability by using recycled materials wherever possible, avoiding unnecessary mining, and ensuring 100 percent carbon neutrality through certified projects. Style-wise, their pieces are timeless enough to wear every season and easy to mix and match. They even have solid gold options, too, if you're wanting an investment piece.
Local Eclectic
For the most unique jewelry pieces, you're best bet is to shop the range of designers at Local Eclectic. Nearly all of the brands the store carries are female-founded/owned and over 70 percent of them have five or fewer employees. In short, Local Eclectic is all about celebrating female artists from around the globe. Designs, materials, and price points range far and wide from heirloom-quality gold pieces to antique-esque gemstone rings. There really is something special for anyone and any personal style.
Awe Inspired
After jeweler Jill Johnson beat cancer for the third time, she was inspired to create meaningful jewelry that celebrates the power of women, thus Awe Inspired was born. The brand is most well-known for their viral goddess quiz where you can reveal the gorgeous goddess pendant that most reflects your personality. The brand also offers collector chains so you can build your dream charm necklace or bracelet, plus a collection of pieces on real-life icons, zodiac designs, and symbols of empowerment. All in all, Awe Inspired's jewelry is as gorgeous as it is meaningful.
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