Jewelry brand index

Every brand stamped with what it is actually made of, before anyone tells you it is beautiful.

Most jewelry brand pages tell you a story about craftsmanship and leave the material buried in a footnote. We put it first. Each entry states the base metal, the finish, the typical price and whether the piece survives water — then explains who it genuinely suits.

The five finishes, and how each one ages

Macro of a brushed solid gold band. The colour runs through the metal rather than sitting on the surface. — **Solid gold**Gold alloy throughout. Nothing to wear through, and it holds metal value.

A gold-covered link worn through at the high point, showing the sterling silver underneath. — **Gold vermeil**A legally defined thick gold layer over sterling silver. Wears eventually, but to a precious metal.

A gold-coloured metal surface with age and patina across it. — **Gold filled**A bonded gold layer many times thicker than plating. The best value of the non-solid finishes.

A gold-plated band with green corrosion spreading along the outside where the plating has worn through to the brass. — **Gold plated**A thin layer with no thickness standard, usually over brass. This is where green skin comes from.

A gold curb chain lying in beads of water, the finish unaffected. — **Stainless with PVD**Not precious and no resale value, but the most resistant to water and sweat.

Every brand we cover

Ana LuisaDemi-fine jewelry with sustainability as the core argument.$40–$200
AngaraColoured gemstone fine jewelry, made to order in solid gold.$300–$5,000+
AtoleaOcean-inspired waterproof pieces you are meant to leave on.$30–$100
Ferkos Fine JewelrySolid 14K gold only — no plating, no vermeil, anywhere in the catalogue.$150–$2,000
GorjanaLaguna Beach layering jewelry with a restrained, wearable look.$45–$250
JaxxonMen's chains built on sterling silver rather than plated base metal.$80–$400
Kendra ScottAustin-born fashion jewelry built around cut natural stones.$50–$150
MejuriThe brand that made fine jewelry a self-purchase rather than a gift.$50–$1,000+
Melinda MariaBold, oversized gold-plated statement pieces from Los Angeles.$70–$300
The GLD ShopStreetwear-adjacent men's jewelry with official sports league licensing.$50–$1,000+

How to read a jewelry brand

Four words explain most of the price differences in this industry. Solid gold means the whole piece is gold alloy — it will not wear through and it holds metal value. Gold vermeil is a thick, legally defined gold layer over sterling silver, so when it does wear you are left with a precious metal. Gold plated has no thickness standard and usually sits over brass, which is what turns fingers green once the layer thins. Gold filled is a mechanically bonded layer far thicker than plating, and is the best-value non-solid option when a brand offers it.

A stainless steel base with PVD plating is its own case: not precious, no resale value, but far more resistant to water than anything over brass. That is why waterproof brands almost all use it.