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Because some of us can’t afford to deck ourselves out in diamonds and rubies, we’ve rounded up the best jewellery you can buy for under £50.
This season, the biggest SS21 jewellery trends include some bolder choices than the simple, beachy shells and pearls that we've seen dominate the last couple of years (although, make note, these trends have not gone away. So prepare yourselves for neon accents, more is more layering and plenty of colourful beads. You can absolutely get away with passing off high street items in place of big ticket designer pieces, be that to suit the modern bohemia or the bigger and more splashy trends. Mismatched looks are also still on trend – so if you can't afford a full set of earrings, just buy one and we promise it'll look purposeful.
If you want something slightly more special, we’ve sussed out all of the brands offering gold-plated rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces for under £50. They’ll last longer, don’t tarnish as easily as other costume styles, but won’t break the bank either. And the best bit? The more affordable the jewellery, the more budget you’ve got to layer. That's another trend box ticked, then.
Estée Lalonde X Daisy London - £25 Estée Lalonde Fine Box Chain Ring Sterling Silver
Box chains are everywhere, and now you can wear this dainty version on your fingers too.
A sterling silver plated (with gold vermeil) ring from ethical jewellery brand Wolf & Gypsy, which comes with a rainbow of stones to tick that Pride month box too.
Hammered metal and pearl ring
J. Crew - £31
Big organic shapes plus asymmetric pearl placement make this ring feel much more expensive than it is.
Go big or go home, amirite?
Dainty, colourful and ideal for stacking
Are you even a jewellery addict if you don't have a box chain choker in your arsenal?
Romantic, delicate and in this summer's sage green colour choice of preference, this is a great little ring to add to your collection.
Layered mini pearl hoop earrings
J. Crew - £39
Picture wearing these with a hairband and kitten heels and you've excellent wedding guest attire for the spate of late summer nuptials that are surely in your calendar.
Pearls, and especially natural-form pearls that are not perfectly spherical are still de rigueur for 2021.
Sculptural earrings which give the illusion that the gold bar dips into your ear and loops back through it.
Beaded jewellery is back. Not the big chunky beads that your mum used to wear in a long loop to her navel, but the sort of little beaded bracelets and necklaces that you might have bought from a stall while on an island hopping holiday as a kid. Maybe it's a nod to the days of travel freedom.
Daisy chain Choker Necklace
Butterflymoon (via Etsy) - £14
Speaking of jewellery that you might have bought on holiday as a child, does it get more nostalgic than a beaded daisy chain necklace?
Inspired by Porto's street tiles, these earrings are perfect for a summer jaunt to mainland Europe.
There are many reasons to love about the Missoma X Lucy Williams collab, and this organic ear cuff is just one of them.
Neon brights are making a comeback in 2021. As is jewellery that looks a little DIY. So this yellow friendship bracelet from Edge of Ember is spot on.
Beaded bracelets in serene colours that remind you of the sea and coral? Oh yes please.
If you're not heading towards box chains and medallion pendants, you'll be looking for something a little bit more organic. This ring is 18ct gold plate and the spacing of the gemstones is just lovely.
21ct gold plated on recycled brass, plus pearl and turquoise gems - a great necklace for layering with other chains.
Estée Lalonde X Daisy London - £39 Estée Lalonde Flow Ring Sterling Silver
Another beaded anklet to transport you (at least psychologically) to a distant coastline.
Abigail Southan is our Senior Fashion Ecommerce Editor and has five years' experience as a writer and editor in the industry. Abigail has a BA in History from the University of Bristol and an MA in Fashion Journalism from Central Saint Martins. Abigail currently covers all things style and shopping across titles including Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE, Esquire and Red. On a daily basis, she helps readers buy better with how-to-wear guides, first-person product reviews and deep dives into the latest trends. Previously, Abigail has worked for The Sunday Times’ Style and Fabulous magazine as their first ecommerce writer and was a founding editor of Sun Selects. She has also written for Net-a-Porter, I-D, Man About Town, Wonderland and 1 Granary, and has interviewed the likes of Paris Hilton, Dua Lipa and Christopher Bailey. You can follow Abigail on Instagram at @abigailsouthan.
Natasha Bird is the Former Executive Editor (Digital) of ELLE.
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