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Anyone who has spent their teenage years scrubbing green marks off their fingers and wrists will be all too familiar with the perils of cheap jewellery. No one wants hoop earrings that tarnish on their first wear or flimsy chains that break easily. You’ll just end up spending more and sending things into landfill.
Finding well-made, beautifully designed jewellery around the £100 mark used to be almost impossible, but there has been a boom in the mid-range market over the past decade. London has emerged as a centre for demi-fine (the term for jewellery that sits between fine and high street), as designers frustrated that the only options were flimsy costume pieces or fine diamonds and stones started to make the jewellery they wished they could buy.
As a fashion editor for more than a decade, I have spent a lot of time talking with these founders and trying on their designs, as well as undertaking my own personal mission to find the perfect pair of gold hoops. The competitive pricing also means you don’t need to wait for a big birthday to be treated to something special. From dainty chain bracelets to elegant stacking rings, here’s my pick of the best affordable jewellery brands.
The best affordable jewellery brands
Monica Vinader
Siren Muse sterling silver mini huggie earrings
£48 at Monica Vinader
Siren muse 18k gold vermeil bangle
Monica Vinader has paved the way in beautifully crafted, affordable jewellery. Since it launched in 2008, it has amassed a loyal following, including Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift. The key to its success is that it excels at simple, everyday jewellery, including fine chains, huggie earrings and gold bangles. The gold vermeil coin pendants have long been an MV signature.
The brand is known for its flash sales and has a wide selection of discounted pieces at its Bicester Village store. You can even buy items over WhatsApp if you don’t have the time (or energy) to visit.
Daphine
Dhari jade and silver plated necklace
£115 at Daphine
Oli 18ct gold plated hoops
Daphine first caught the attention of industry insiders with its 18-carat gold-plated and sterling silver domed ring, the Oli. The designs are simple yet have a sculptural aesthetic that is anything but boring. Stylist Monikh Dale has designed two collections for the brand, and her jade teardrop pendant is an elevated take on a rope necklace that is high on my personal shopping list.
By Alona
Amary 18k gold plated bronze earrings
£95 at By Alona
Jupiter 18kt gold plated bronze earrings
I have a soft spot for By Alona because I wore the Amary earrings on my wedding day – flower studs made from 18k gold-plated bronze. Alona Shelemy grew up surrounded by beautiful stones, as her father was a fine jeweller and an avid collector. She brings her extensive knowledge of and training in fine jewellery to her sculptural designs with Middle-Eastern and Mediterranean influences.
Shyla
Sheena earrings, 22ct gold on sterling silver
£75 at Shyla
Synthea earrings, 22ct gold on silver
Founder Alice Blofeld created Shyla because (like many of the other designers on this list) she found it difficult to find high-quality jewellery at an affordable price. The brand has a delicate, vintage-inspired aesthetic and the knotted, stone drop earrings have quickly become a design signature. The success has been bolstered by the Princess of Wales, who owns several pairs of Shyla earrings.
Susan Caplan Vintage
Susan Caplan Vintage 1990s diamond birthstone Swarovski crystal tennis bracelet
£75 at Harvey Nichols
Susan Caplan Vintage 1990s enamel love knot clip-on earrings
You’d be forgiven for thinking quality vintage jewellery would come at an eye-watering premium, however, curator Susan Caplan sells preloved pieces for all budgets. Her website is an amazing place to find vintage Chanel and Givenchy treasures and the Rediscovered Edit is home to beautiful vintage pieces from the 80s and 90s for under £250.
Caplan is also making pre-loved jewellery more accessible for those who don’t regularly trawl antique fairs, as her secondhand finds are also stocked by Harvey Nichols, John Lewis, Selfridges, Farfetch and more.
Missoma
Ripple 18ct recycled gold plated brass oversized stud earrings
£135 at Missoma
Lucy Williams 18ct gold plated brass chunky medium entwine hoop earrings
Missoma probably needs no introduction, as another power player in affordable jewellery. It has an extensive collection for all styles, but the 18-carat gold-plated brass chunky hoop earrings, designed in collaboration with fashion and lifestyle influencer Lucy Williams, remain a hero buy years after their initial release. Mine are several years old and haven’t tarnished at all.
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Astrid & Miyu
Infinite 18k gold plated sterling silver cuff
£85 at Astrid & Miyu
Triple crystal 18k gold plated sterling silver stud earrings
The idea behind Astrid & Miyu’s collection was to create pieces that can be layered, offering a modern approach to charms and trinkets. But it’s not just the chains that are buildable: the earrings are designed to be stacked up the lobe, giving more impact than a single stud.
Daisy
Estée Lalonde Sunburst sterling silver chain bracelet
£49 at Daisy
Organic chunky 18ct gold plate band ring
Daisy is another brand that specifically designs jewellery for the everyday. Launched in 2009, it has become a trusted go-to for classic staples, from gold hoops to fine chains, with delicate designs that often feature hand-drawn motifs, such as daisies, bows and hearts. Its signature gold is an 18-carat plate on recycled sterling silver.
Edge of Ember
Initial 18k gold plated necklace
£145 at Edge of Ember
Charlotte Collins black onyx 18k gold plated statement ring
Edge of Ember is a go-to for your everyday, stacking jewellery – some of the pieces are so delicate you’ll forget you’re even wearing them. Think tennis bracelets, alphabet necklaces and wear-with-everything hoops. The brand regularly collaborates with influencers on special collections, including Charlotte Collins’s recent edit that was inspired by a treasured ring that belonged to her grandmother in the 70s.
Otiumberg
Wave 14kt gold vermeil earrings
£135 at Otiumberg
Twine sterling silver ring
Otiumberg positions itself as a demi-fine jewellery brand. Although some of the 9-carat solid gold stone and diamond pieces push towards the £1,000 mark, you can find some more affordable gold vermeil and sterling silver classics in the mix, too. The brand’s founders, sisters Christie and Rosanna Wollenberg, believe you shouldn’t just save beautiful jewellery for best, so the sculptural rings and earrings are as practical as they are elegant.
Mejuri
Mega Dôme sterling silver earrings
£98 at Mejuri
Mixed medium gold vermeil and sterling silver tube hoops
Canadian brand Mejuri has cleverly aligned itself with the world of celebrity – Taylor Swift wore its Heirloom ring to cheer on the Kansas City Chiefs and the Duchess of Sussex is a fan of the huggies. It focuses on simple, clean designs that appeal to those who like to go light on accessories. Mix up metals, such as gold vermeil, sterling silver and 14-carat yellow gold, for a more fashion-forward look.
Brinker + Eliza
The Best Is Yet To Come 24ct yellow gold plated brass pendant necklace
£100 at Selfridges
End Game 24ct yellow gold plated brass brick-chain bracelet
Most brands in this affordable price range focus on everyday, minimalist designs, but Brinker + Eliza stands out with its more is more approach. Founded by a mother and daughter, the eccentric pieces are all made by hand in a studio in Connecticut and have a DIY charm, with colourful trinkets and chunky heart medallions hooked on to chunky chains.
Emma Spedding is a freelance fashion editor, who has previously worked at British Vogue, Who What Wear and Grazia. As an expert with 15 years in the fashion industry, she is known for trusted shopping recommendations and spotlighting the work of up-and-coming designers across everything from jewellery to accessories to ready-to-wear
