Whether it’s a special occasion piece or the everyday staples you never take off, we feel strangely bare when without jewellery.
From keepsake necklaces to perfectly curated ear stacks, jewellery may seem a minute detail in the scheme of an entire outfit, but its impact is weighty, as can be its price tag.
Keeping up with the latest trends or shopping for a loved one can quickly become a costly endeavour, particularly if you don’t want to waste your hard-earned cash on the kind of pieces that turn your skin green.
So, what should you look for and where should you shop? Scroll on for everything you need to know and the best brands to shop.
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Shopping for silver
Think of silver quality like a scale with 1000 being the highest possible grading. Since 100% silver is not possible to produce, the highest quality you can find is fine silver at a 999 grade.
When shopping around, you don’t want to settle for anything less than 925 silver, also known as sterling silver, which has a makeup of 92.5% silver.
Shopping for gold
Solid gold is as described, solid gold. While it will not tarnish, there are still quality grades to gold described as karats (14K, 18K or the highest, 24K), which indicate the percentage of gold used in its makeup.
Gold-filled and gold vermeil are composed of a solid layer of gold bonded to a base of either sterling silver or various metals, with at least 5% gold used on the outer layer. It’s more affordable and less likely to tarnish with everyday wear.
Gold-plated is usually the cheapest option, but with a layer of just 0.05% gold bonded to silver or metal, it’s likely to tarnish quickly.
The best affordable jewellery brands to shop in Australia
01
Mejuri
Price range: starting at $65
With ranges in sterling silver, gold vermeil, recycled 14K gold and 14K yellow gold, there’s a piece for every budget that promises to never tarnish.
Sparking the mixed metal trend with their much-loved stackable Dôme Figure Ring, tap into the best of both worlds.
02
Najo
Price range: starting at $49
Inspired by Mexico’s “rich mosaic of life, culture, arts, fashion, and history”, Najo jewellery is designed for those with understated sophistication and style.
03
Michael Kors
Price range: starting at $149
If you want to treat yourself to fine jewellery without the insane price tag, then Michael Kors has timeless and trendy pieces that can take your outfit to the next level.
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04
Sarah & Sebastian
Price range: starting at $160
If you’re looking to splurge on a piece you will not only keep forever but feel fashion-forward, you can’t go past Sarah & Sebastian.
The Australian brand has established itself amongst the it-crowd for its dainty, high-quality pieces that become staples.
05
Class A Jewellers
Price range: starting at $90
Kit out your jewellery collection with every earring, necklace and bracelet design under the sun from Class A Jewellers. They also have an adorable charm builder you can use to curate your own personalised piece.
Editor’s note: “I built my own custom charm bracelet, and when I say I never take it off, I mean it. I chose mine and my partner’s birthstones to frame a marquise-cut diamond. Simply stunning.” – Chanelle, Shopping Editor
06
Sonter Studio
Price range: starting at $59
From sculptural rings and delicate huggies to pearl-dusted necklaces and gold-plated statement pieces, Sónter Studio creates jewellery made to elevate the everyday and celebrate life’s special moments.
How to create the perfect jewellery stack
“Start with your hero piece – this could be a locket, chain, or cuff – and then layer smaller, complementary styles around it. It creates balance and intention rather than feeling overcrowded,” say Francesca Jewellery co-founders, Hannah and Rachel Vasicel.
“The most important rule for stacking is that there are no rules – it’s about building a collection that feels personal to you.”
07
Francesca Jewellery
Price range: starting at $29
Founded by sisters Hannah and Rachel Vasicek, this Aussie brand is known for its timeless gold and silver pieces and handmade designs that combine timeless elegance with a strong commitment to social impact
08
Swarovski
Price range: starting at $89
For the girl who loves a little glitz and glamour, Swarovski is a classic brand with a sparkling reputation for stunning jewellery.
Editor’s note: “It’s a classic for a reason—loved by all our favourite celebs (Ariana Grande, Bella Hadid, etc. etc.)—so yes, Swarovski is absolutely a go-to.” – Chanelle, Shopping Editor
09
Saint Valentine
Price range: starting at $55
For lovers of minimalist and dainty jewellery, you can’t go past Saint Valentine’s collection of sterling silver and 18K gold-plated pieces.
The brand has also released the stunning Cielo collection, designed to transition from special occasions to everyday wear.
These handcrafted pieces are a must-have and we are adding to cart ASAP.
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10
Reliquia Jewellery
Price range: starting at $145
Creating on-trend staples fashion girls love from sterling silver and gold-fill, Reliquia is a go-to for pieces that can be worn every day without caution.
11
Pandora
Price range: starting at $39
Outside of the brand’s iconic charm bracelets, Pandora offers stunning gold-plated, rose gold-plated and sterling silver pieces.
12
Sabo
Price range: starting at $25
For a hot minute, there was a Thomas Sabo charm bracelet on everyone’s wrist, and it’s not hard to see why, but beyond wristwear, the brand offers a range of beautiful pieces to love for a lifetime.
To stay updated on jewellery trends, follow fashion influencers and designers on social media. Browse fashion magazines and websites for inspiration.
Attend jewellery exhibitions and events. Experiment with mixing and matching styles. Consider investing in timeless pieces alongside trendy ones.
As for what’s currently trending, we asked Francesca Jewellery co-founders, Hannah and Rachel Vasicel, what’s hot right now.
“We’re seeing a strong return to timeless, personal pieces – jewellery that feels meaningful and tells a story, rather than being trend-led. Lockets and engravable jewellery remain in our top sellers week on week, these are becoming modern heirlooms,” they said.
“Gold remains a staple, but we’re noticing an increased appetite for mixing metals and textures. We have noticed this increasing trend and are about to release a mix tones collection, pieces which enable our customer to wear silver and gold mixed, or flip their hoops based off whether they would like to wear silver or gold.”
To maintain timeless jewellery, opt for classic designs like solitaire diamonds or pearl studs. Invest in high-quality materials like gold or platinum.
Store jewellery in a lined box to prevent tarnishing. Clean pieces regularly with a soft cloth. Rotate pieces to prevent wear.
Lastly, choose versatile pieces that complement various outfits effortlessly.
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