The price of jewellery can vary widely these days, and this might be down to various reasons. From precious metals to unique gemstones, craftmanship, and luxury branding.
Ultimately though, nice jewellery doesn't have to cost hundreds and thousands of pounds. The mid-price jewellery market is booming these days, and choosing a piece of jewellery for someone this Christmas has never been more cost-effective.
A new pair of earrings or a necklace or a bracelet can be one of the most precious gifts you can give - and make wonderful birthday gifts and anniversary gifts or a Christmas present! Not sure where to start? There are several cool - but affordable - jewellery brands out there you're sure to love. We've curated the perfect pick of contemporary and curated jewellery sets from labels we're loving right now.
We also reached out to jewellery designer Laura Gravestock to find out if you really need to spend a lot of money on jewellery and how to make your jewellery last. We also spoke to Sarah Howson, Head of Product and Creative at Astley Clarke, about what you should look out for when it comes to buying jewellery for someone.
How best to choose a gift for someone when it comes to jewellery?
Sarah advises: "Most people think about their own taste when selecting a gift for someone, but jewellery is such a personal choice, so have a think about the person you're buying for - how they style their clothes, what they usually wear jewellery-wise, what they might be likely to choose themselves based on their own wardrobe. If you're not too sure, then stick to a classic piece, like a pair of hoops or a chain necklace that will easily weave into what they already own."
She added: "When thinking about their personal style, try to hone in on the specifics; are they minimalist or quite bold? Do they prefer gold or silver - or do they like to mix metals? If they are into colour, then gemstones are always a great idea or for a more neutral look, pearls are timeless. Another tip is to see how they usually wear their jewellery; do they layer lots of pieces or keep it quite pared back? Many of the styles we have at Astley Clarke are designed to be layered together, but look equally good when worn on their own - so you have the option of both."
What kind of jewellery looks the most expensive on?
Laura said: "I’m loving heavier rings, earrings and pendants at the moment, for a more expensive look without the hefty price tag – when a piece has more weight, we automatically equate it with value. I also love the layered look when it comes to necklaces – mix and match different chain styles and pendants for an eclectic, curated look that gives off the vibe you’re styling heirlooms that have been passed down to you."
Do you need to spend a lot of money on jewellery?
Laura said: "Not at all! There are so many brilliant independent jewellery brands creating affordable jewellery from precious materials, it’s just a case of knowing what to look for. I’d always recommend checking what pieces are made from, and opt for sterling silver, gold vermeil (layers of real gold applied to sterling silver – A.K.A gold plated) and 9ct gold, as these demi-fine pieces hold their value more than base metals such as brass or stainless steel, and are far less likely to cause allergic reactions. If you look after these pieces, they should last you far longer than cheaper alternatives. My pieces start at just £20 for sterling silver earrings – and even my solid gold heart rings are only £125, for something you’ll keep forever."
How we chose the best affordable jewellery brands
- Style & trends: We wanted this edit to be stylish so we looked at the brands favoured by the fash pack.
- Inclusions under £200: Preferably less, in fact. Affordable has a different meaning to everyone, but we tried to keep the edit consistent with mid-priced jewellery brands.
- Sustainability: Where possible we chose jewellery responsibly made and consciously sourced.
Affordable jewellery brands that make great gifts
Astley Clarke Gold Biography Mini Locket Necklace
© Astley Clarke- Price: From £38
- Gift ideas: Lockets, birthstones, charms and luxury diamonds
- Celebrity fans include: Sienna Miller, Cameron Diaz, Alexa Chung and more.
Editor's Note:
Astley Clarke is a luxury British brand celebrating design and craftsmanship. The brand only works with noble metals, semi-precious and precious gemstones, and natural diamonds, which are responsibly sourced and adhere to the Kimberley Process. No brass, no glass, no glue - that's what this brand stands for.
Astley Clarke also supports Theirworld, a charity that champions women’s and children’s causes in the developing world.
Monica Vinader Birthstone Necklace
© Monica Vinader- Price: From £50
- Gift ideas: Birthstones, initial necklaces, jewellery boxes and luxury diamonds
- Celebrity fans include: Princess Kate, Kendall Jenner, Kerry Washington & more.
Editor's Note:
Monica Vinader - a jewellery brand loved by Princess Kate - is a firm favourite in the HELLO! office. This birthstone necklace is perfect for a special gift. If you're looking for a November birthday stone, citrine is the gemstone commonly represents wealth and prosperity and positive energy. You can also add a complimentary engraving to the reverse for an extra thoughtful touch.
Pandora Organically Shaped Heart Pendant Necklace
© Pandora- Price: From £38
- Gift ideas: Charm bracelets, heart necklaces, Disney collections
- Celebrity fans include: Pamela Anderson, Ashley Park, and more.
Editor's Note:
It's no secret that young girls love Pandora - you just need to walk past a shop on a busy Saturday afternoon to see that! It might be known for cute charms and easy-to-buy gifts, but there are some seriously chic cool-girl jewellery styles on site. We're loving the new 'Pandora Essence' collection which is all about sculptural contours, and modern shapes.
Abbott Lyon Custom Name Bracelet
© Abbott Lyon- Price: From £35
- Gift ideas: Name bracelets and neclaces, clovers, hearts
- Celebrity fans include: Stacey Solomon, Olivia Attwood, Molly Smith, Gemma Owen & more.
Editor's Note:
Founders Jezz & Asha work with an incredible team of highly passionate designers & creators, and have enlisted the likes of Stacey Solomon, Gemma Owen and Olivia Atwood to create collections.
The most popular gifts tend to be the personalised options; from signature name necklaces and bracelets to initial jewellery and new clover styles.
Swarovski Attract Collection Earrings
© Swarovski- Price: From £30
- Gift ideas: Sparkly gifts, tennis bracelets, gift sets
- Celebrity fans include: Jennifer Lawrence, Kim Kardashian, Harry Styles and more.
Editor's Note:
Swarovski, well, you just can't go wrong with this brand. It's always a success when it comes to gifting a partner or a loved one. These earrings from the Attract Collection would be a great idea for a present - so sparkly! And they're on sale.
Missoma Engraveable Round Signet Ring
© Missoma- Price: From £35
- Gift ideas: Heart jewellery, initial pendants, zodiac jewellery and luxury diamonds
- Celebrity fans include: Meghan Markle, Sienna Miller, Kendall Jenner and more.
Editor's Note:
The founder, Marisa Hordern, is all about championing women and she’s a strong believer that jewellery is all about decorating life and bringing small moments of happiness to your day.
Kit Heath Happiness Necklace
- Price: From £25
- Gift ideas: Pendants, hoop earrings, statement necklaces
- Celebrity fans include: Lorraine Kelly, Frankie Bridge, Denise Lewis and more.
Editor's Note:
This year in collaboration with HELLO!'s Happiness initiative, Kit Heath have launched a stunning Happiness necklace with interlocking rings to signify our special connections with others. Kit Heath are also supporting women's charity Smart Works, by donating 500 pieces of jewellery to their cause.
Edge of Ember Initial Deco Birthstone Necklace
© Edge of Ember- Price: From £34
- Gift ideas: Initial necklaces, birthstones, engraved coins
- Celebrity fans include: Meghan Markle, Victoria McGrath and more.
Editor's Note:
This brand has the royal seal of approval as well - Meghan has worn this jewellery brand on a number of occasions as well. Having launched in 2014, Edge of Ember is now an all-female operation that aims to help customers make empowered choices about fashion and a positive impact in the world. The brand works with artisan groups and small-scale factories in Asia that are run in an ethical manner.
Soru Jewellery x Needle & Thread Sentimental Rose Drop Earrings
© Soru- Price: From £55
- Gift ideas: Statement earrings, crystals, italian-inspired jewellery
- Celebrity fans include: Princess Kate, Rosie Huntington-Whitely, Chiara Ferragni, and more.
Editor's Note:
Founded in 2013 by two half English-Sicilian sisters Francesca Kelly and Marianna Doyle in Solihull. The pair absolutely loved jewellery, and their summer trips to Sicily to see family inspired them to create stand out pieces of jewellery at attainable prices.
Laura Gravestock All You Need Bracelet
© Laura Gravestock- Price: From £38
- Gift ideas: The Rachel Stevens edit, Love charms, personalised necklaces and number jewellery
- Celebrity fans include: Rachel Stevens, Ashley James, Isla Fisher and more.
Editor's Note:
Luxury British jewellery brand Laura Gravestock Jewellery was founded in 2009 by designer and owner, Laura Gravestock.
The perfect way to add a little love to your wrist stack, this dainty bracelet can be stacked with chunkier chains for a statement look, or enjoy the simplicity of it solo.
Thomas Sabo Forever Together Bracelet
© Thomas SaboPrice: From £14
Gift ideas: Charms, hearts, tags and engraving
Celebrity fans include: Frankie Bridge, Lucy Mecklenburgh, Laura Whitmore and more.
Editor's Note:
Thomas Sabo is a great destination for reasonable jewellery, whether you're looking for gifting ideas or a purchases for yourself. United forever – the interlocking rings of this bracelet with black pavé zirconia and the ‘Forever Together / Together Forever’ engraving represent the inseparable bond between two lovers.
Astrid & Miyu x Elemis The Icons
© Astrid & MiyuGive them a piece of jewellery that they'll treasure - without having to break the bank. We wanted to give you a different kind of suggestion - jewellery with the added bonus of skincare. How cool is that?! Astrid & Miyu has teamed up with Elemis on this unique gifting option.
How can you make a jewellery gift even more personal?
Sarah recommends personalisation: "Jewellery always feels like a very thoughtful and personal gift, but to make it even more special, look for options that allow you to customise. As a brand, Astley Clarke is most widely known for our personalised jewellery range, and in particular, our locket necklaces. Each one can be made unique with an image inside and engraving on the reverse, which is great for something meaningful. Other ways to make a jewellery gift personal is by opting for gemstones that might have significance to the wearer or curating bespoke pieces using charms. These are easy to clip on and off, and it means that you can add to the gift over time, too."
Meet the experts
Laura Gravestock is the designer and owner of luxury British jewellery brand Laura Gravestock Jewellery, founded in 2009. Taking inspiration from her surroundings, be it her childhood spent in the Middle East & Spain, or the super-trendy part of East London where she lived for over a decade, Laura creates covetable, luxury jewellery with a playful twist. Laura designs jewellery that makes you smile when you wear it, and you never want to take off!
Sarah Howson is Head of Product and Creative at Astley Clarke. Sarah looks after the product design and portfolio from start to finish with her small team at the brand's HQ in London, as well as the creative direction of all Astley Clarke imagery.
