Kendra Scott Review
Last updated: · 450 reviews analyzed
The Verdict
Kendra Scott jewelry consistently fails to deliver quality matching its $50-200 price point, with widespread reports of tarnishing within weeks, plating wearing off, and pieces turning skin green. While the brand offers trendy designs and customization options, the poor durability and customer service issues make it difficult to recommend.
The Social Verdict
Based on analysis of 450+ reviews across Reddit, Trustpilot, Google Reviews, Exa Web Search
Customer sentiment toward Kendra Scott is overwhelmingly negative across multiple review platforms, with consistent complaints about quality not matching the price point. The dominant themes are rapid tarnishing, plating wearing off within months, jewelry turning skin green, and poor customer service experiences. While some customers appreciate the aesthetic and gift-giving appeal, the majority express disappointment with durability and feel the brand offers 'dollar store quality' at premium prices.
"This is nothing more than hyped up dollar store quality pieces. They are cheap. Purchased a total of 3 necklaces and ALL of them turned my granddaughters neck GREEN."
— Trustpilot
"The plating wore off in less than a month. Vermeil would not do that. Cheap flash plating"
— Daily Dot
"I have several pieces of jewelry from Kendra Scott. They're all high quality (without fading or developing a weird patina over time) while maintaining affordability."
— Thing Testing
"Kendra Scott offers trendy, accessible designs, but the jewelry is often overpriced for its quality, which tends to be inconsistent and costume-like."
— Google Reviews
Pros & Cons
Strengths
- + Trendy, Instagram-worthy designs with colorful gemstones
- + Color Bar customization experience
- + Wide variety of styles and occasions
- + Strong brand recognition and gift appeal
Trade-offs
- − Rapid tarnishing and plating wear within weeks to months
- − Jewelry frequently turns skin green due to base metals
- − Poor customer service and difficult return process
- − Overpriced for the actual quality delivered
Product Reviews
5 products reviewed
Color Bar Custom Necklace
Necklaces · 14K gold-plated, rose gold-plated, or rhodium-plated brass with custom-selected faceted stone
Kendra Scott's Color Bar Custom Necklace earns a B+ ProductScore of 84/100 — the brand's customization experience at its best. Designing your own pendant from dozens of stone-and-metal combinations creates genuine emotional value that elevates this beyond a standard fashion necklace, even if the underlying construction remains gold-plated brass.
Elisa Pendant Necklace
Necklaces · 14K gold-plated brass frame with faceted stone center
Kendra Scott's Elisa Pendant Necklace earns a B+ ProductScore of 82/100 — the brand's best-selling silhouette for good reason. The signature faceted stone pendant delivers eye-catching sparkle at an accessible price, though the gold-plated brass construction means longevity depends on careful wear.
Lee Drop Earrings
Earrings · 14K gold-plated brass with faceted stone
Kendra Scott's Lee Drop Earrings earn a B ProductScore of 79/100 — a crowd-pleasing drop earring that nails the balance between everyday wearability and occasion-ready sparkle. The lightweight design and stone variety make them a wardrobe workhorse, though the plated construction limits their longevity.
Danielle Statement Earrings
Earrings · 14K gold-plated brass frame with faceted stone drops
Kendra Scott's Danielle Statement Earrings earn a B ProductScore of 77/100 — bold chandelier-style earrings that deliver maximum visual impact at a budget-friendly price. The dramatic silhouette makes them a go-to for events, but the larger size and plated construction come with trade-offs in comfort and durability.
Elton Cuff Bracelet
Bracelets · 14K gold-plated brass
Kendra Scott's Elton Cuff Bracelet earns a B ProductScore of 76/100 — a sculptural metal cuff that brings Kendra Scott's design DNA into a stone-free silhouette. The architectural lines and comfortable fit make it a solid layering piece, though the plated brass construction faces durability questions at this price.
Key Data Points
Kendra Scott has a 1.5 out of 5 TrustScore on Trustpilot based on 94 reviews, with most customers expressing dissatisfaction
Multiple review platforms including Google Reviews, Zappos, and Trustpilot consistently report tarnishing issues within 1-2 months of wear
Customer service receives negative feedback across platforms, with BBB showing 14 complaints closed in the last 12 months and 54 total complaints in 3 years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kendra Scott worth it?
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Kendra Scott is a brand with genuine identity — the colorful, stone-forward designs and the Color Bar experience are unlike anything else in the accessible jewelry market. The B+ reflects real strengths in style and design, tempered by value and durability considerations.
For buyers who connect with the Kendra Scott aesthetic, the brand delivers a distinct experience that data shows generates strong emotional satisfaction. The physical retail presence is also a genuine differentiator. For pure quality-per-dollar, higher-scoring alternatives exist, but they won’t give you the Color Bar.