From diamond studs to personalized necklaces, the best jewelry gifts make everyone feel special—yourself included. The key is to find pieces that speak to the person’s individual style, and your own budget. Whether you want to spend $50 or $1,000, you can find beautiful options online, with many jewelry retailers offering free shipping and gift wrapping as a bonus. Just remember: Jewelry comes in different sizes—in particular, rings—so make sure you know your recipient’s size in advance.
The best jewelry gifts are timeless, personal and effortlessly chic.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers
To narrow down the options, I tapped into my expertise as Forbes Vetted’s lifestyle editor and I also consulted senior fashion editor, Kari Molvar, who has written extensively about jewelry. Below, we’ve rounded up 19 of the best jewelry gifts at a variety of prices and also included a quick list of our top picks if you’re short on time. For more inspiration, we have also in-depth guides to the best online jewelry stores and the best jewelry brands.
The Best Jewelry Gifts, At A Glance
All The Best Jewelry Gifts To Shop
Slim hoop earrings are a timeless gift that will never go out of style. This beautifully sculpted pair adds a modern twist to the otherwise classic shape. It’s a bestseller that’s been worn by celebrities that looks far more expensive than its $100-ish price.
A minimal pendant like this will complement any outfit. It features two initials of your choice, hand stamped onto gold, rose gold or sterling silver filled disks. The disks are securely fashioned to the chain, so they won’t slide off if you leave the necklace unclasped in your jewelry box. Another bonus? This pendant is made from recycled materials.
This adjustable bracelet can be inscribed with a name, date, set of initials or meaningful phrase in one of four different fonts. The style is simple enough to wear with other pieces, but it looks beautiful on its own as well.
An affordable yet thoughtful piece, this pendant is part of Brilliant Earth’s birthstone collection, which includes everything from stud earrings to bracelets. Each ethically sourced gemstone floats gracefully on a silver cable chain that can be adjusted to either 16 or 18 inches long.
As far as gifts go, there’s nothing more classic than a pair of diamond stud earrings. While these earrings might be one of the pricier items on this list, Blue Nile uses lab-grown diamonds and offers a lifetime manufacturer warranty on all pieces. You can also choose the carat weight and desired metal.
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Baublebar specializes in customizable pieces, and this vibrant cord bracelet is perfect for those who don’t shy away from bright pops of color. Select a name or phrase that’s up to 12 characters and decide on a color. (There are 12 different colors, including hot pink and cobalt.)
Mejuri is known for their affordable and wearable pieces that are built to last. These delicate pavé hoops are no exception—they’re made from 14k gold and set with 22 small diamonds. They can be worn two different ways (flip it for a solid gold finish) making them extra versatile.
Cluster earrings are one of the most popular shapes for diamond studs right now. The organic shape adds an eye-catching effect, and this James Allen pair is made from lab-grown diamonds so you get more brilliance for your budget. It comes in both white and yellow gold.
The unique wave design on this piece—made from 18k gold over sterling silver—is a statement in and of itself, but can be paired with other rings that the recipient already owns. It’s also a great choice for those with sensitive skin. I’ve purchased multiple rings and necklaces from Rellery, and they’ve held up beautifully over the years, with zero tarnishing or skin irritations.
For subtle sparkle around the neck, you can’t go wrong with this elegant diamond necklace from Stone & Strand. It features a single round diamond on an adjustable gold chain, and the bezel setting adds a bit of visual interest.
This vintage-inspired locket necklace is a thoughtful and unique gift: You can customize it with two images and an initial engraved on the front or back. There are more than 13 different locket styles to choose from, whether you’re looking for a particular shape or finish.
Inspired by the constellations, the Orion Bracelet features three sparkling diamonds clustered together on a 14k yellow gold chain. Choose between two different sizes, Petite (0.36 carats) and Original (0.80 carats).
Sometimes the perfect gift is just a simple piece that can be styled in a multitude of ways. Case in point: This classic pearl choker can be worn solo or layered with other necklaces in your collection, and the length is fully adjustable.
Cult Gaia
Cult Gaia Adrienne Long Dangle Earrings
These bold statement earrings from Cult Gaia feature brass spheres spaced out on a delicate chain. Brass is less dense than other metals, such as pure gold or platinum, so these beauties will feel lighter than you might expect. Wear them to a wedding, special event or dinner date as the finishing touch to your outfit.
This dainty gold and pavé alphabet charm will make for a memorable present. The recipient can hang the charm on a bracelet, necklace or hoop earring, and multiple charms can be added to spell out a name or phrase. The letters are all lowercase and studded with recycled white diamonds.
Crafted from gold vermeil, this minimalistic cuff will look perfect on its own or layered with other pieces. It comes in sizes for men and women, and can be monogrammed with up to three initials for a minimal ($15) charge, too.
Add some sparkle to their neckline with Kendra Scott’s Crystal Letter Pendant Necklace. Cubic zirconia gemstones are nestled into the gold-plated letter, which makes this everyday necklace feel extra special.
This paperclip necklace and bracelet set is perfect for those who prefer easy, elegant jewelry. The gold-plated design is hypoallergenic and both pieces come with a two-inch extender. For less than $20, it’s a stylish and affordable idea.
Anthropologie’s single freshwater pearl hangs elegantly on this 14k gold-plated chain, which comes with a one inch extender so there’s flexibility with the length.
The bar chain bracelet from Madewell is simple, modern and chic—it’s the kind of gift you’ll reach for on a daily basis. Also, the sliding closure ensures a custom fit on your wrist.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Here at Forbes Vetted, we approach all of our product recommendations with transparency and a critical eye. Readers trust us to provide the most accurate information available, so we consider our own experiences in the field and weigh that against testimonials from customers who’ve tried the best jewelry gifts themselves.
As a team, we’ve tried on, evaluated and put a lot of clothing and accessories through the ringer to rate the performance, quality and value for your money. Our passion for high-quality accessories includes recommendations for the best lab-grown diamonds, as well as other topics, such as the best watch brands and the best jewelry brands for everyday wear. To make sure you get the most accurate information possible, we regularly update this list with relevant details. This story was last updated in October 2023.
How We Chose The Best Jewelry Gifts
To determine the best jewelry gifts, we read hundreds of product reviews and evaluated options from both established and newer-to-market brands. We ultimately chose the best jewelry gifts by determining which pieces were consistently top-rated by customers, had attractive designs and received excellent marks for quality, versatility and care. We also considered if each pick was available in multiple colors or finishes and whether there was an element of customization (i.e. if the piece could be engraved). The final products on this list reflect several weeks’ worth of in-depth research and personal vetting.
