Diamonds are a girl's best friend. Or if you're like me, diamonds aren't exactly on your "can buy" list at the moment. As much as I love jewelry and dressing up, I own just a few fine-jewelry pieces. The rest are studded, plated costume jewelry that are just as fun without costing anywhere near what I would have paid otherwise.
Now that the holidays are over, all of my friends are looking to make smart purchases with the money they received from their parents, partners, or friends. After debating the merits of cubic zirconia and gold-plated versus gold vermeil, I sent my friends a long list of fun, exciting, low-cost jewelry to wear out to special occasions and while on their way to the grocery store. Truly, you can never have too many gold huggie earrings.
Below, the best jewelry finds I dropped in my group chat that my friends bought nearly immediately. Run, don't walk, to the checkout line before these gems sell out.
Kenneth Jay Lane
Rhodium Crystal Circles Earrings
Perfect for your next dinner party.
Zoe Chicco
14k Diamond Bezel Thin Band Ring
You can't go wrong with a simple, thin ring.
Jennifer Zeuner Jewelry
Nazar Enamel Trio Bracelet
Enamel is a fun way to spice up gold jewerly.
Ian Charms
The Ravenne Necklace
These fun, beaded Gen Z necklaces are everywhere.
Jenny Bird
Rodin Rolo Chain Necklace
Only the best chain for a casual outing.
Frasier Sterling
Petite Hoops
Square hoops are a bit funkier than the regular circular styles.
Oscar De La Renta
Fusilli Ring
Pasta, anyone?
Madewell
Tangled Huggie Earrings
These look so vintage.
Éliou
Robbie Baroque Pearl Drop Earrings
Not your mother's pearls.
Mango
Hoop Pendant Earrings
I can't keep this Mango find to myself—it's too good.
By Anthropologie
Gold Oval Drop Earrings
Ultra-chunky, vintage-looking pieces are all over the runways right now.
Mango
Hoop Earrings
Everyday hoops.
Mango
Pearl-Effect Crystal Earrings
These go with everything.
Lisa Says Gah
Puffy Heart Necklace
Heart motifs will be everywhere this spring.
Studs
Pavé Fringe Huggie
Embrace your rocker-chic side.
Nixon
The Arrow Bracelet Watch, 38mm
All-gold everything.
Sterling Forever
Multistrand Layered Necklace
One necklace just isn't enough.
By Anthropologie
Vintage Pearl-Drop Earrings
Dress these up or down.
Urban Outfitters
Oversized Oval Chain Earring
Chains on your ears are extra fun.
Bony Levy
14k Gold Disc Linear Drop Earrings
We're loving the subtle drop-earring trend at the moment.
Fossil
Raquel Three-Hand Date Two-Tone Stainless Steel Watch
A watch for all hours of the day.
By Anthropologie
Crystal Bow Earrings
Balletcore at its finest.
Bony Levy
14k Gold Petite Link Drop Earrings
You'll love wearing these.
H&M
Long Rhinestone Earrings
And now, your next statement earrings.
H&M
Necklace
Presenting your next necklace: this ultra-dainty number.
Mango
Pearl Chain Necklace
Mixing materials is so in right now.
By Adina Eden
Pave X Baguette on the Ear Loop Stud Earrings
Channel your inner rich mom.
Urban Outfitters
Josie Statement Link Earring
Perhaps silver?
Urban Outfitters
Megan Enamel Hoop Earring
This deep emerald green goes with anything.
Daniel Wellington
Grand Petite Evergold Mesh Strap Watch, 36mm
This black watch face is beyond cool.
Kenneth Jay Lane
Row Beads Clip-On Earrings
These orb earrings are too good to pass up.
Cult Gaia
Zelma Earrings
Beachy-chic!
By Anthropologie
Pearl Heart Huggie Earrings
The heart trend isn't just for cord necklaces.
By Anthropologie
Teardrop Hoop Earrings
No backs necessary.
Frasier Sterling
Just Friends Cord Choker
Another day, another heart necklace I've fallen in love with.
Ana Escalante is an award-winning journalist and Gen Z editor whose work ranges from dissecting size inclusivity at fashion week to discussing how American Girl Doll meme accounts are the the answer to society's collective spiral. She's covered it all: Queen Elizabeth II's corgis, Roe v. Wade frontline protests, and the emergence of jorts (or jean shorts for the uninitated). At Who What Wear, Ana is responsible for delivering smart, insightful, personality-driven shopping guides and trend features for a digital-first generation.Before joining Who What Wear, Ana was Glamour magazine's editorial assistant, where she focused on daily news and special packages, including leading the brand's 2022 Met Gala coverage. For more than half a decade, she has covered style, beauty, and digital culture for publications such as Paper magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue Japan, and Allure, among others. Ana has been called a rising star in media by publications such as Nylon and Teen Vogue. (Her mother, meanwhile, calls her "the coolest person" she knows.)