Jewelry for people who hate jewelry

Items featured are independently selected by editors. Products purchased through our links may earn us a commission.

It’s the season for everyone to crowd jewelry shops, but what do you get for someone who will never wear a classic diamond? There are so many new options for beautiful jewelry that don’t include boring crystals or bangles. A modern set of necklace charms, lockets and gemstone rings and earrings are better choices for the person you want to adorn with jewels who has a unique taste.

I personally don’t wear jewelry too much because so much of it feels too precious to lose, or special-event only. But recently I’ve started curating a jewelry box of various options that go with more of my daytime wardrobe and fit more events. And, once you find a great item, you have a good idea of what to gift someone else. I’ve laid out my favorite options in a variety of price ranges. Let’s start with entry-level pricing.

The best entry-level priced fun jewelry:

Mango Pendant Crystal Earrings, $5

How cute are these bright and punchy fruit earrings? They have a little bit of a homemade look but slightly more street style. Bonus: Mango has a ton of colorful charm earrings and necklaces on sale right now.

Wanderlust + Co Fortune Cookie Gold Locket Necklace, $65

An alternative to a regular locket, this tiny fortune cookie is so much fun, and can become a very personal gift depending on what you put inside. Wanderlust + co has a lot of items on sale right now, too, including these tiny mother of pearl studs.

Moon + Arrow Pearl Drops, $48

This is the anti-pearl jewelry. Everyone I have gifted these dangling organic pearls to has confessed how many compliments they get on the street. Moon + Arrow also sells a fine string of diminutive pearls if you want a matching necklace that’s not old fashioned.

Little Rooms Levitation Ring, $85

I can’t stop buying Little Rooms’ iconic charms. From fangs dripping with red gems to magician iconography, they have very fun illos across their offerings. The levitation ring is just one of those, and there are plenty of earrings and necklace pendants to match.

Local Eclectic Mini Opal Moon Stud Earrings, $60

As tiny and unobtrusive as an earring can get, with a pop of opal blues and purples. This is a great gift for someone you want to spend a little money on, but may not know expertly yet.

Anthropologie Oversized Rainbow Beaded Necklace, $88

Glass and cubic zirconia in a rainbow of colors make this a fun necklace to wear for day or night, and a variety of events. Plus, Anthrpologie offers a matching bracelet.

The best mid-price range fun jewelry:

MM6 Maison Margiela, $115

What a throwback. Goth kids of the 1990’s will remember this style of silver ball chain bracelets, and probably had the matching necklace. Of course, this version is silver-toned brass with an engraved logo. As of time of writing this, it’s 50% off, too.

Vivienne Westwood Romina Pave Orb Earrings, $145

These tiny luxuries are sparkly and carry the weight of the Vivienne Westwood logo for a fraction of the price of her gorgeous clothing. Of course there’s a matching pendant necklace.

BaubleBar Curb Chain Custom Nameplate, $158

Remember the days of chunky gold nameplates? They’re back, sort of. This is a much cleaner, sleeker version of the older style, but still a statement piece, in silver or gold.

Catbird Dollhouse Heart Locket, $168

This is another personal favorite I love to give as a gift. It’s a locket, but the size and shape feels very modern and can fit on many chain options. Believe me when I say it goes with almost every clothing style as well.

The best fun luxury jewelry:

MatchesFashion Jupiter Ring, $336

A chunky, colorful bauble looks like candy, if candy was 18K gold-plated with a glistening zirconia in the middle. The design is inspired by vibrant children’s toys, and definitely gives off that vibe.

MatchesFashion Bea Bongiasca Baby Vine Tendril Ring, $690

Something else from MatchesFashion’s high-end toy box. Intertwining vines in pastel shades shape this serpentine ring. You can choose versions topped with peridot, amethyst or clear crystal.

Valentino Garavani Rockstud Leather Bracelet, $570

Our final 90’s throwback, here’s a hot pink version of those studded bracelets you wore to rock shows at the local VFW. This one has magenta pyramids of gems and a big, shiny buckle that screams “luxury.”

Items featured are independently selected by editors. Products purchased through our links may earn us a commission.

This story was originally published February 10, 2023 at 12:00 AM.