Kinn Jewelry Review: Modern Heirlooms Designed To Be Worn From One Generation To The Next

Our team is dedicated to finding and telling you more about the web’s best products. If you purchase through our links, we may receive a commission. Our editorial team is independent and only endorses products we believe in.

The direct to consumer jewelry space can be overwhelming to say the least. Google “gold hoops” once, and your Instagram feed will reward you for days. It’s a lot to sort through – gold vermeil, rhodium plating, 14-karat  gold…slim, chunky, beaded, twisted and on and on – and a lot of the trendy pieces look the exact same. 

I take a lot of pride in wearing simple, somehow-significant jewelry pieces each day. There’s something special about a lasting piece – the hand-me-down ring your grandmother wore as a teen or the friendship bracelet you splurged on with a friend to celebrate graduation. Jewelry has a unique way of marking time and being timeless, and I love pieces that remind me of the special moments in a fast-paced day-to-day. 

That’s why a collection of Kinn pieces caught my eye at a Neighborhood Goods in Austin a few months ago. In a sea of of-the-moment brands – perfectly on trend and curated for the now – Kinn’s modern heirlooms offer a refreshing depth.

Making Modern Heirlooms

The significance of jewelry is a concept  founder Jenni Yoon knows well. Yoon launched Kinn after her parents’ home was robbed – and their antique jewelry lost – years ago. She set out to replace their missing pieces and simultaneously fill a gap in the market: while traditional jewelry brands have offered two distinct options – expensive fine jewelry inaccessible to most or cheap, trendy pieces that are bound to break and tarnish – Kinn offers affordably-priced modern heirloom jewelry that’s created for a lifetime of wear. And then to be passed from one generation to the next.

Unique Pieces To Mark Any Moment

Meant to be worn as a second skin, Kinn pieces offer a simple elegance. Each piece is handmade in Los Angeles from solid gold and designed to blend seamlessly into your day-to-day. From simple chain necklaces (from $380) to personalized letter charms ($580), an array of earrings, rings, and bracelets and anklets, Kinn offers gold jewelry of every variety. The throughline of the brand’s collections is an understated, minimalist sophistication that will never go out of style: build and layer a collection of chains, pendants, and stackable rings and enjoy them for years to come. 

Add an additional significance to your pieces with Kinn’s engraving service, which customizes select pieces in York Script lettering. And mark the most special of moments with Kinn’s Vow collection: an array of engagement and wedding rings appropriate for brides of the past, present and future.

Made With Intention

With a focus on lifespan, Kinn appropriately leans into its sustainability initiatives. When possible, the brand uses recycled 14k gold, made from existing jewelry, industrial metals, or electronic components. Kinn’s recycling program, KinnCycle, allows you to send in real, 14k gold pieces to be melted and formed into new pieces. For every gram of melted gold the brand can use, Kinn will send you a $30 gift card to be used towards any piece of jewelry on the brand’s site or a custom project. Or, give an old piece new life through Kinn’s Repurpose Project. 

Sustainability and transparency are at the heart of every Kinn piece. In an industry infamous for opacity, Kinn shares as much information on its suppliers and processes as possible. 

Invest In Something Better

Kinn was kind enough to send me a pair of Petite Hoop Huggie Earrings ($200) which, while simple, have become my absolute favorite daily pieces. These high-quality hoop earrings are extremely lightweight and comfortable (I even sleep in them!) and compliment my earscape flawlessly. Now that I have a foundational piece of jewelry for my ears, I’ve found my fingers regularly refreshing Kinn’s site as I’m on the hunt for the perfect everyday necklace next. The Vela North Star Necklace ($1,080) is a definite standout, but each piece is honestly droolworthy. The best part is that they’re all designed to layer effortlessly (and not bulkily), so the fun is really in designing the layered, signature-look of your dreams. 

Ordering online is extremely easy: some pieces (like necklaces) ask for your input on stone type (cubic zirconia or diamond, for instance), chain type (figaro, pico link, petite link, rope) and length (16, 18, 20, or 22 inches). Add to your cart, and your new-favorite piece – which will last a lifetime before infusing meaning into its next owner’s everyday – will arrive right at your doorstep (extremely quickly, might I add). 

In a direct-to-consumer space that so often prioritizes immediate gratification and of-the-moment trends, Kinn stands out for its commitment to tradition and timelessness. It’s a brand with soul – and who couldn’t use a little more of that right now? 

Shop 5 Standout Pieces From Kinn’s Jewelry Collection: 

1. The Vela North Star Necklace (from $1,080), featuring a gold north star on an onyx backdrop and designed to guide you, always. 
2. The Maison Oval Locket Necklace (from $295), which can be engraved with custom lettering and kept in the family for generations. 
3. Ynez Pavé Huggies ($1,280), paved with 10 diamonds each – an uplifting addition to any lobe. 
4. The Solis Ribbed Ring II ($2,280), which looks absolutely stunning when stacked with this dainty Mother’s Ring ($680).
5. The Diana Diamond Tennis Bracelet ($2,980) to add timeless tradition to any look. 

Treat yourself or someone you love to a piece for today, tomorrow, and years to come at kinnstudio.com.