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Best Jewelry Brands 2026
The Verdict
Mint & Lily leads the under-$100 tier with the highest JewelryScore (93/100) among affordable brands. Monica Vinader tops the $100-$500 range, Brilliant Earth leads the $501-$1K tier, and Cartier dominates luxury. Our rankings are derived from 200,000+ aggregated customer reviews across Reddit, Trustpilot, and Google.
Mint & Lily
ABest under $100 — highest quality and value scores among affordable jewelry brands
Monica Vinader
A-Best $100-$500 — exceptional gemstone quality and customization at accessible luxury prices
Mejuri
A-Best everyday fine jewelry — solid gold pieces at DTC prices
Brilliant Earth
B+Best ethical jewelry — lab-grown diamonds and recycled metals with full transparency
Cartier
ABest luxury — unmatched heritage, craftsmanship, and resale value
Missoma
B+Best trend-forward — celebrity-endorsed designs that sell out and hold their appeal
Tiffany & Co.
ABest gifting brand — the blue box remains the most recognized jewelry packaging worldwide
Studs
BBest earring specialist — flat-back comfort technology with modern piercing culture
Quince
B+Best DTC value — solid gold at near-wholesale pricing
Gorjana
BBest for layering — California-inspired pieces designed to stack and mix
David Yurman
A-Best cable jewelry — iconic twisted designs with strong resale
Van Cleef & Arpels
ABest iconic motifs — Alhambra clover is among the most recognized jewelry designs ever created
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Mint & Lily | Monica Vinader | Mejuri | Brilliant Earth | Cartier | Missoma | Tiffany & Co. | Studs | Quince | Gorjana | David Yurman | Van Cleef & Arpels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price Tier | Under $100 | $100–$500 | $100–$500 | $501–$1K | $1,000+ | $100–$500 | $1,000+ | Under $100 | Under $100 | Under $100 | $501–$1K | $1,000+ |
| JewelryScore | 93/100 | 89/100 | 87/100 | 85/100 | 84/100 | 82/100 | 81/100 | 78/100 | 78/100 | 76/100 | 76/100 | 75/100 |
| Grade | A | A- | A- | B+ | B+ | B+ | B+ | B | B+ | B | B | B |
| Best For | Personalized jewelry, gifts | Gemstone jewelry, engraving | Everyday fine jewelry | Ethical engagement rings | Luxury investment pieces | Trend-forward fashion jewelry | Iconic gifts, blue box experience | Ear piercings and studs | Solid gold at DTC prices | Layering, California style | Cable jewelry, men's jewelry | Iconic luxury motifs |
| Standout Product | Classic Name Necklace ($49.90) | Siren Pendant Necklace ($150) | Croissant Dome Ring ($98) | Petite Shared Prong Ring ($890) | Love Bracelet ($7,100) | Lucy Williams Chain Necklace ($159) | Return to Tiffany Heart Tag ($200+) | Birthstone Stud ($35) | 14K Gold Huggie Hoops ($59.90) | Parker Huggies ($50) | Cable Classics Bracelet ($650) | Vintage Alhambra Pendant ($3,100) |
Key Data Points
Our 2026 jewelry brand rankings are derived from 200,000+ customer reviews aggregated across Reddit, Trustpilot, Google Reviews, Instagram, and TikTok, scored using our proprietary JewelryScore methodology across Quality, Value, and Style pillars.
Mint & Lily achieves the highest JewelryScore (93/100) among all under-$100 brands — a 13-point lead over the next closest competitor in its tier, driven by exceptional quality ratings and industry-leading customer satisfaction.
The 2026 rankings reveal a clear trend: direct-to-consumer brands (Mint & Lily, Mejuri, Quince) consistently outperform traditional retail brands on the Value pillar, with 20-40% lower prices for comparable quality levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best jewelry brand in 2026?
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Our 2026 jewelry brand rankings are derived from analyzing over 200,000 customer reviews across Reddit, Trustpilot, Google Reviews, Instagram, and TikTok. Every brand receives the same JewelryScore treatment: Quality (40 points), Value (35 points), and Style (25 points).
Under $100: Mint & Lily Leads
Mint & Lily’s JewelryScore of 93/100 represents a 13-point lead over the next competitor in the under-$100 bracket. The combination of personalization options, 316L stainless steel durability, and sub-$50 pricing makes it the clear tier leader. Gorjana (76), Studs (78), and Quince (78) round out the tier with strong but more narrowly focused offerings.
$100–$500: Monica Vinader and Mejuri
Monica Vinader (89/100) leads the accessible luxury tier with exceptional gold vermeil quality and free engraving. Mejuri (87/100) follows with everyday solid 14K gold pieces at DTC prices. Both brands demonstrate that direct-to-consumer pricing delivers significantly better value than traditional retail.
$501–$1,000: Brilliant Earth and David Yurman
Brilliant Earth (85/100) leads with ethical lab-grown diamonds and B Corp certification. David Yurman (86/100) dominates with the iconic Cable motif and strong resale value. This tier offers investment-grade pieces without luxury-tier pricing.
$1,000+: Cartier Dominates
Cartier (93/100) leads luxury with 175 years of heritage and the highest resale value in the industry. Van Cleef & Arpels (94/100) and Harry Winston (95/100) score higher on pure quality, but Cartier’s broader accessibility and iconic designs make it the most relevant luxury brand for most buyers.
Key Insight: DTC Brands Outperform
The most meaningful trend in 2026 is the dominance of direct-to-consumer brands. Mint & Lily, Mejuri, and Quince consistently outperform their price tiers because they’ve eliminated traditional retail markups, delivering quality that competes with brands at 2-3x their price points.