The Price Is Right: Chic, Shiny Jewelry under $300

From fluid, sculptural shapes to vintage-inspired pieces bold enough to please a die-hard maximalist, these five female-led jewelry brands are serving up solves to make stay-at-home dressing much more interesting.

What makes these pieces stand out is the personality baked into the design: There’s something for the symbolist, the art lover, the ’90s enthusiast—and the collections are even cooler once you know the maker’s vision. We checked in with a few to find out what makes them tick. Coincidentally, it’s often exactly what makes their pieces click with nearly any outfit.

MM DRUCK

CLEAN AND CONSIDERED

If you’re the type who leans toward crisp lines and craftsmanship, but also appreciates the fine art of the cocktail ring, then MM Druck gets you. Molly Zimmermann’s sculptural pieces are anything but average, eschewing dainty dimensions for outsize organic shapes and motifs that reference art, movement, and the natural world.

MM DRUCK BRACELET, goop, $287

MM Druck NECKLACE goop, $240
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MM Druck Eva double set rings goop, $265
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“The Eva Rings fit together like yin and yang, parent and child, partners and friends, each curve filling the negative space left by the other to create a whole.”
MM Druck earrings goop, $216
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“The Common Link Collection evolved from my exploration of form and movement as an expression of human connection and relationships.”
MM Druck Trois Ring goop, $207
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“The Trois Ring is one of the first designs I produced, and it continues to be a favorite. It succinctly embodies the three pillars of my work: effortlessly stylish, deeply considered designs, and quality craftsmanship.”

LAURA LOMBARDI

LA BELLA VITA x THE BIG APPLE

The combination of electric NYC energy and classic Italian taste-making defines Laura Lombardi’s eponymous line. It’s also her origin story. Made almost exclusively from raw or recycled metals, Lombardi’s chunky chains and textured hoops turn a simple tee into an outfit as swiftly as they add an element of chic to suiting.

TOP: LEFT: LAURA LOMBARDI EARRINGS, goop, $84. BOTTOM: RIGHT: LAURA LOMBARDI NECKLACE goop, $146.

“Recent inspirations include: jewelry from a dinner I attended as a small child in Florence, an imagined collaboration between Italian costume jewelry from the ’60s and the hardware store chains I wore as a teenager in New York, and items in the windows of the jewelry district, where my parents worked in the ’80s and ’90s.”

SARAH CHLOE

INITIALS HERE

Good for gifting and even better in your own jewelry collection, each piece by designer Zahava Reismin is a modern heirloom in the making. Inspired by timeless shapes—think signet rings, ID bracelets, and oval lockets—Sarah Chloe gives the minimalist a meaningful way to keep memories and milestones close at hand (and wrist, and…).

SARAH CHLOE NECKLACE, goop, $89

“I’m inspired by the belief that jewelry is something very personal and sentimental. I love that there’s always a story behind each piece of jewelry—whether it was purchased, gifted, or handed down from a loved one.”

VALÉRE

THE NEW VINTAGE

Chandelier earrings hung from gilded bows. Malachite shields and shiny, circle-link chains. Cuffs finished with rose quartz. The individually sourced gemstones in Valére’s distinctive, vintage-inspired pieces seem almost too precious for the Australian brand’s price tag, but don’t overthink it. Just chalk it up to their twenty-four-karat-gold micron-plating process—then put your energy into deciding between black onyx hearts and polished pearls.

JANE WINCHESTER

THE EVERYDAY AMULET

The pieces that get the most airtime tend to be the ones with meaning. An eye-catching personal talisman—like a fourteen-karat-gold-plated pendant that reflects your values or honors a milestone—doubles as a daily reminder of the energy you want to embrace.

Each Jane Winchester coin is a touchstone supercharged with intention. Beneath their simple names—joy, peace, forever—the message often swings specific: The hollyhock leaves on the joy coin represent fertility; the peace pendant honors a lost loved one; the compass on the forever piece guides the wearer through times of uncertainty.

CARE TIPS

Photo courtesy of Laura Lombardi

Polishing

This genius formula for cleaning raw brass and sterling silver comes from Laura Lombardi: Make a paste using half a lemon and a teaspoon of baking soda, apply to jewelry, and use a cloth (cotton or cotton-linen works well) to rub in one direction until clean. Wipe off the paste, rinse with water, and pat dry.

Cleaning

Remove patina and stains without chemicals by setting your piece in a bowl filled with water and dish soap, then gently cleaning with a soft-bristle toothbrush.

Care and Repair

Most designers include a care cloth with purchase, and many—Sarah Chloe, for example—offer complimentary cleaning services. If your piece needs a repair (accidents happen!), circle back to the brand. Many offer repair services at no cost or for a small fee.

Maintenance

As with an investment bag or a good pair of shoes, it’s worth taking jewelry in for a professional cleaning annually (or when you want to amp up the shine).