Hey there jewelry junkies! If you‘ve ever stumbled down the rabbit hole of Instagram accessory trends, you‘ve likely encountered Kendra Scott. This Austin-based brand has gained a cult following over the past two decades for their colorful, statement-making pieces that seem to be everywhere lately. But with price tags that can reach the triple digits, you might be wondering – is Kendra Scott jewelry actually worth the hype?
As a self-proclaimed accessory addict who‘s personally tried dozens of Kendra Scott pieces, I‘m here to give you my completely honest, unfiltered opinion. In this ultimate Kendra Scott jewelry review, I‘ll cover everything from the brand‘s history to the quality and craftsmanship of their pieces to how they stack up against competitors. By the end, you‘ll have all the info you need to decide if Kendra Scott deserves a spot in your jewelry box. Let‘s dive in!
The Story Behind the Sparkle
One of the things I admire most about Kendra Scott is the founder‘s inspiring backstory. In 2002, Kendra Scott was a single mom with just $500 in her bank account. She started making jewelry in her spare bedroom as a creative outlet and way to connect with other women. "I was a new mom at the time and I was looking for a way to balance motherhood and my entrepreneurial dreams," Kendra has said.
From those humble beginnings, Kendra Scott has grown into a bona fide accessories empire with over 100 stores worldwide and a thriving online business. In 2017, the brand was valued at a staggering $1 billion.
But even with all that success, Kendra has stayed true to her original mission of empowering women. The company is known for their generous charitable initiatives, which I‘ll highlight more below. In Kendra‘s words, "Our core values of Family, Fashion & Philanthropy are woven through everything we do. Giving back is at the heart of our brand."
I don‘t know about you, but I love supporting female-founded businesses, especially when they use their platform to make a positive impact. So before we even get into the actual jewelry, I‘m already giving Kendra Scott major brownie points.
The Jewelry: An Up-Close Look
Okay, let‘s talk about the real reason you‘re here – the bling! Kendra Scott offers a vast array of jewelry in every category, from dainty necklaces to cocktail rings to statement earrings. Most of their pieces are plated brass with semiprecious stones and custom glass, with retail prices ranging from $45-$500.
The majority of the collection is available in 14k gold, rhodium, and rose gold finishes. You can also find a small selection of fine jewelry in solid 14k gold and diamonds, if you‘re looking to splurge.
One thing I really appreciate is the breadth of options when it comes to styles and aesthetics. Whether you gravitate towards bold colors, vintage-inspired designs, or modern minimalism, Kendra Scott really does have something for everyone.
To give you a taste, here‘s a breakdown of some of the brand‘s most popular collections:
| Collection | Description |
|---|---|
| Elisa | Delicate pendant necklaces with a signature open frame |
| Elaina | Adjustable chain bracelets with luxe-looking stones |
| Kensley | Sculptural hoop earrings with lustrous mother-of-pearl |
| Elyse | Stackable ring bands with eye-catching geometric details |
Over the years, I‘ve personally tried pieces from all of these collections and more. Some of my go-to‘s are the Elisa Necklace in Dichroic Glass, the Elaina Bangle in Emerald Cat‘s Eye, and the Elle Earrings in Rose Quartz. I‘ll share more specifics on the quality in a bit.
One thing to note is that Kendra Scott releases new collections every few weeks, often linked to the seasons, holidays, or special collaborations. Recent partnerships have included Barbie, Breast Cancer Awareness, and the Pantone Color of the Year. So if you see something you like, I recommend snagging it, as popular pieces have a tendency to sell out.
Customization Options
In addition to their ready-made pieces, Kendra Scott also offers a few ways to personalize your jewelry. There‘s the online Color Bar, which lets you create a bespoke necklace, ring, bracelet, or pair of earrings in your choice of stone, setting, and metal.
You can also visit a Kendra Scott store to work with a stylist and see the stones in person, which feels like an extra-luxe experience. Plus, at most locations, you can get your jewelry engraved with initials, symbols, or a meaningful phrase.
There is one caveat to keep in mind with customized pieces. Because they‘re made to order, they‘re considered final sale and can‘t be returned or exchanged (unless damaged or defective). The same policy applies to engraved items, so I‘d suggest only getting something personalized if you‘re confident about the design and fit.
How‘s The Quality?
Based on my experience, Kendra Scott pieces are a cut above a lot of other fashion jewelry in terms of quality. The plated brass feels substantial and has held up beautifully to near-daily wear. I‘ve had some of my necklaces and bracelets for 3+ years and they still look almost new, with minimal tarnishing or chipping.
The semiprecious stones are definitely the star and add such a vibrant, luxurious touch to the pieces. Kendra Scott uses a huge variety, from iridescent mother-of-pearl to color-shifting black opals to glittery drusy quartz. In my opinion, these unique stones are what really sets the brand apart and makes them feel special.
That said, it‘s important to remember that Kendra Scott jewelry is still costume jewelry at the end of the day. The shiny look comes from a thin layer of 14k gold or rhodium plating, not solid precious metals. And the stones, though genuine, are not the most expensive or rare.
So yes, Kendra Scott is excellent quality for fashion jewelry, but I wouldn‘t necessarily compare it to a $1,000 solid gold and diamond piece. With proper care (more on that in a sec), KS pieces should last for years. But they likely won‘t become cherished family heirlooms passed down through generations.
Personally, for the price point, I‘m thrilled with the quality and longevity of Kendra Scott pieces. I see them as the perfect option for trendy, eye-catching jewelry you can wear often without babying it too much.
Caring For Your Jewels
To keep your Kendra Scott pieces looking shiny and new, there are a few simple tips I‘d recommend:
- Store each piece in its dust bag or jewelry box when not wearing to prevent scratches and tangles
- Avoid exposing your jewelry to moisture, including pools, showers, and sweat
- Remove jewelry before applying lotions, perfumes, or other products that could degrade the finish
- Gently polish pieces with a soft cloth to restore shine and remove smudges
If your pieces start to look a bit lackluster, Kendra Scott does sell a jewelry cleaning kit for $15 that includes a polishing cloth, brush, and cleaning solution. I‘ve used it on my pieces with great results. The brand also has a guide on their website with more FAQs on jewelry care.
Warranty & Repairs
In my experience, Kendra Scott has excellent customer service and really stands behind the quality of their pieces.
The brand offers a One-Year Warranty for manufacturer defects, including things like missing or broken stones, discoloration, and damaged clasps or chains. If you notice an issue, you can return the piece to a store or mail it back for repair or replacement.
Personally, I actually had my Kendra Scott ring repaired recently, as one of the small stones fell out. I visited my local store and they shipped it out for repair, free of charge, no questions asked. The process was super easy and I had my ring back within 2 weeks, good as new.
Another thing I love is that Kendra Scott will do small repairs on any of their pieces for life, even if it‘s not covered under warranty. So if you need a jump ring soldered back together or a clasp fixed, they‘ll take care of it complimentary (you just have to cover shipping).
It‘s little touches like this that make me feel like Kendra Scott really values their customers and wants you to treasure your pieces for the long haul.
How They Compare
Of course, Kendra Scott is hardly the only name in the statement jewelry game these days. Some of their main competitors include BaubleBar, Gorjana, and Mejuri. Here‘s my take on how KS measures up:
| Brand | Price Range | Quality | Styles | Sustainability & Giving Back |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kendra Scott | $45 – $500 | Brass-plated w/ semiprecious stones | Bold statement pieces in a range of styles | Gives 20% of proceeds to charity, uses recycled materials |
| BaubleBar | $20 – $250 | Mostly brass & aluminum w/ glass stones | Trendy, statement pieces | A few "Conscious" pieces made with recycled materials |
| Gorjana | $35 – $200 | Gold-plated brass & sterling silver | Simple, delicate pieces | Uses some recycled gold, partners with a few charities |
| Mejuri | $25 – $2,000 | Gold vermeil, sterling silver, 14k gold | Minimal, everyday essentials | Carbon neutral, uses recycled gold, gives back via Mejuri Empowers Fund |
In terms of quality for the price, I‘d put Kendra Scott slightly above BaubleBar and on par with Gorjana. I do think Mejuri offers higher quality materials (real gold vs gold-plated), but you‘ll pay more of a premium for them.
Style-wise, Kendra Scott has the most varied assortment and really dominates in the bolder, statement category. BaubleBar is similar but skews a bit younger/trendier. Gorjana and Mejuri are more in the minimal, everyday jewelry lane.
When it comes to sustainability and philanthropy, I‘m honestly impressed with all of these brands. But Kendra Scott definitely leads the pack. They donate a generous 20% of proceeds to charity partners, use more recycled materials, and have robust giveback programs (more on that below).
At the end of the day, I don‘t think you can go wrong with any of these jewelry brands. But Kendra Scott continues to be my personal favorite for their unmatched quality, style variety, and commitment to doing good.
Giving Back With Kendra Scott
One of the biggest reasons I‘m happy to spend my money with Kendra Scott is the brand‘s genuine, long-standing dedication to philanthropy. Kendra herself has said "Giving back is my most precious accessory", and that ethos really shines through in everything they do.
Since 2010, Kendra Scott has donated over $50 million and 500,000 pieces of jewelry to hundreds of local and national causes. They‘ve also hosted over 10,000 fundraising events for charity partners.
Some of the main causes they support include:
- Breast Cancer Research
- Mental Health Awareness
- Children‘s Charities
- Entrepreneurship & Women‘s Empowerment
- Disaster Relief
The brand makes it really easy for customers to get involved in charitable giving too. You can host an in-store event for a cause you care about and Kendra Scott will donate a generous 20% of the proceeds. They also have an amazing program for College & Grad students focused on female entrepreneurship and mentorship.
It‘s pretty rare to see a fashion brand not just talk the talk, but truly walk the walk when it comes to philanthropy. Kendra Scott continues to blow me away with how much they prioritize doing good and giving back. It might sound cheesy, but wearing my Kendra Scott pieces really does make me feel good because I know I‘m supporting an incredible female founder and company who are trying to make a difference.
Final Thoughts
After years of wearing Kendra Scott jewelry myself and now writing this extremely long review, I can honestly say YES, I believe Kendra Scott is worth the price.
The quality is top-notch for fashion jewelry, the designs are super versatile and easy to wear, and the charitable component is unmatched. I‘ve personally had fantastic experiences with the brand‘s customer service and free repairs too. These pieces make me feel confident, stylish, and like I‘m part of a positive, empowering community.
If you‘re on the fence, I‘d say start with a single piece like the bestselling Elisa necklace or Elle earrings. See how you like the fit and finish, and go from there. Kendra Scott also offers AfterPay on most orders, so you can spread out your purchase over a few interest-free installments if you‘re not ready to splurge all at once.
I‘m always here to chat if you have more specific questions (DM me!). But I hope this honest review gave you a comprehensive look at what Kendra Scott jewelry is really like and empowered you to decide if it deserves a spot in your own jewelry box.
Here‘s to shining bright, both inside and out!
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If you‘re ready to start or expand your Kendra Scott collection, here are a few of my must-have pieces:
- Elisa Satellite Pendant Necklace – A twist on the classic, with a stunning starburst design
- Emilia Statement Earrings – Art deco-inspired drops that elevate any outfit
- Edie Cuff Bracelet – An elegant bangle with electric pops of color
- Emery Twist Ring – A sculptural statement ring you‘ll never want to take off
Happy shopping (and sparkle on)!
