Shine Bright with These Must-Have Gold Jewelry Pieces

You’ll notice the price tag is a little higher on these, and that’s because they’re 14K solid gold, not a plated or filled option. Gorjana started about twenty years ago in ​​Laguna Beach, California, and there’s a hint of California beachiness in even their most simple options. These hoops are classic for a reason—refined, effortless, and built to last.

A slight twist on the standard hoop, Mejuri’s ridged Charlotte hoops are named after a sweet French cake with a similar shape. Invoke all the wonders of a Parisian bakery with this sweet, snug fit, offered in gold Vermeil. The sterling silver under the gold plating means the shine will last longer without breaking the bank, and makes it a great choice for anyone with allergies or sensitivities to other metals.

About as classic as you can get, these curvy Carter hoops are big, but still mid-sized, so the hoop itself isn’t taking over your entire outfit. Still, they demand attention, and are great paired with studs, ear cuffs, or even a small set of tiny huggies for contrast. Coming in well under $100, there’s still room in your cart for a few more items—that pricepoint is thanks to the gold plating.

Missoma has long been a go-to in the jewelry space for contemporary pieces that are high-quality but not at an unattainable price point. Started as a hobby by founder Marisa Hordern, the brand quickly grew into a worldwide phenomena, and these simple, sleek bar stud earrings easily showcase why Hordern’s taste has gone global. Handcrafted and thin but bold, like an em dash, these studs are a slightly more expensive price due to the fact that they’re Vermeil (the 14K gold version will run you $231, but it’s here if you’re interested). All that silver under the gold helps them hold up for quite some time, even though they’re small.

These are definitely a splurge—and might work well as a gift for a Taurus or Gemini, whose birthstone is emerald—but when it comes to stud earrings, a pop of color can be the perfect subtle hint to complete your look. Plus they use real emeralds and 14K gold, so you’re paying for lasting quality here.

With all this talk of eclipses and astrological shifts, it’s already been a very cosmic year. Lean into that and grab a pair of crescent moons to accompany you throughout the rest of 2024. They’re 18K gold vermeil and fit perfectly into any stack, or as solo reminders to shine bright.

An absolutely charming heart-shaped pendant, with just enough texture to avoid the overly girly look, this necklace is another excellent example of Missoma’s modern style. The puffed out, 3-D shape and bobble chain are fine details that keep it from being overly precious, and it’s a gold plated piece with 18K gold plating, so it lasts longer than many plated pieces that use a lower quality gold.

Almost any necklace that Merewif (an old English term for “sea witch”) designs immediately shoots to the top of my list. This North Carolina-based designer makes every piece herself by hand, and her brand takes “a strong influence from the alchemistic elements of sea.” Nowhere is that more clear than in this variation of her Phoebe square-shaped pendant inset with a piece of abalone shell (sometimes called “mother of pearl”). If abalone isn’t your thing, this necklace also comes in onyx black. The chain is gold plated and the pendant itself is made out of gold vermeil.

Even if you can’t make it out to Rhode Island this summer, that nautical east coast aesthetic is a timeless one, easily channeled with the shell-like ridging on the pendant in this layered necklace set. A pop of gold ties you to the stylish Newport shore, wherever you are, and the 18K gold plating on brass means these chains can withstand a summer’s worth of sea air and still be glowing.

Herringbone chains are ubiquitous, and with good reason! They’re sleek, classic, gender neutral, and pair well with other pendants, chains, and layers. But, how about a twist on the classic herringbone that makes it unmistakably yours? Oak And Luna’s option lets you engrave up to 60 characters, choose between silver, gold vermeil, or 14K solid gold (for $750), and even add a diamond. With multiple length options, it’s customizable in the best sense.

If you’re looking for a super basic, simple gold chain to kick off your layering look, this is the one to add to your collection. It’s a great price point, handmade, and uses gold-filled material, not plated, so it will last much longer than other options, even if you leave it on in the shower and the pool here and there (yes I’m speaking from personal experience here).

This artsy UK brand uses recycled materials and a decidedly sculptural stance to create pieces that bring historical and literary context into their shapes. Existential jewelry-making? I’m here for it. This swirly, looping ring set stacks in a way that just flows. Meant to sit all on one finger, you’ll feel yourself moving from deep to deep when sporting this gorgeous set. The rings are brass plated with 14K gold, and are also sold separately if $600 exceeds your ring budget for the month.

Since the whole point of a ring stack is to have multiple items, maybe it’s better to start with a lower price point? Mod + Jo’s affordable 14K gold-filled ring will get you going with a sweet little dip or arc in the middle to stand out from some of the more standard ring shapes. It’s great on its own as a thin, unique ring, or meshed in with some thicker gold bands.

The uniform oval links on Gorjana’s mini bracelet make it a great starting point for a bracelet stack. It’s also sweet and simple enough to wear on its own. Want to deck it out in charms to add a little character? See our picks below.

The T-bar closure is like a lock that can never be broken, a promise to stay together forever, hence the “love link” name. It’s also great peace of mind to have if you’re always losing your jewelry (I’m the problem, it’s me), or are super active and always traveling. Yellow gold vermeil with sterling silver and long oval links, this is another bracelet that’s basically calling out for a charm or two.

If you’re not used to wearing bracelets all the time, starting with a thin, lightweight bangle is a good move. This textured piece from Jennifer Fisher is great for layering, or for getting used to the idea that wrist jewelry is the perfect complement to your outfit, handbag, and rings. Yellow gold plated over brass.

There is no charm more classic than your initial. That’s the place every charm bracelet should start, even before personality-related items or spiritual talismans (see below) to ward off danger. Begin here, grab your initial (or that of a loved one) and slowly start to build your collection. This price point feels a little steep until you realize Mejuri’s charms are all 14K gold—made for the long-haul.

For the constant (or anxious) traveler, a little talisman to ward off those fears never hurts. Getting really into the charm bracelet game means diving deeper into what represents you, and this little plane could be a sweet gesture of support and love for a jetsetter or world traveler in your life. It also means they’ll be thinking of you whenever they wear it, wherever in the world they may be. This one is 18K gold-plated silver with natural mother of pearl.

Charms are fun and flippant, and shouldn’t break the bank, especially if you’re just getting started. Speaking of getting started, now that Beyonce has gone country, all of us have, right? This cowboy hat charm is giving pure Cowboy Carter vibes, and is a great, timely addition to your collection.

Two ex-fashion buyers started Olivia Burton to create sophisticated watches for women that channeled classic British style but had a playful twist to them. The above piece, the Grosvenor gold bracelet watch includes a 28 mm watch face inset with crystal details and a “north star.” With softer, rounded edges, the piece channels femininity through a shimmering face and light gold dials. Plus, it’s really not a bad price point for a functioning time piece that looks like a classic.

Calvin Klein has been a classic American brand for decades now, but they’re not the first thing that springs to mind when I’m thinking about bezels and subdials. Still, after scouring the internet for some of the nicest gold pieces that will layer well with bracelets and not break the bank, CK kept coming up. My pick is the subdial with a slightly larger case, at 38.5mm, with a mesh bracelet. The three different dials tell the day of the week, 24-hour time, and a seconds counter, along with the regular watch face. Though it’s a brand new watch, this piece has a nice vintage feel, and the gold plated case ensures it should age well.

This brand has really got the personalization bit down to a T (see their balloon initial necklaces below), and their zodiac series features a nice bevel shape backdrop for each sign to rest upon. It helps eliminate the discomfort that can come from some of these shapes (crab pinchers, anyone?) by placing the animals and elements against a flat backdrop. Plus, a pendant just looks classier. These are made from gold ion plated steel.

If you’re going for real diamond and gold pieces, the prices are going to be higher, but so are the returns. Like this stunning piece from Gorjana, where the delicate chain almost disappears into your skin and lets the diamond speak for itself.

Spelling out your whole name could get spendy quickly, but for an initial foray into the world of diamonds and gold, this Otiumberg pendant isn’t a bad move. Recycled 9K gold is set with up to 25 white, round cut diamonds. You can purchase the pendants with or without a 9K gold necklace chain.

This is an 18-karat gold diamond bracelet, so it doesn’t come cheap. Concentric circles in the charm are symbolic of "etched in boulders in the Sahara and found in valleys in Arizona,” and their rippled texture is a nice contrast with the dainty chain.