Hey there, jewelry lover! If you‘re like me, you‘re always on the hunt for beautiful, unique pieces to add to your collection. So when I started seeing Zoe Lev jewelry popping up on all my favorite celebrities and fashion blogs, I knew I had to check it out for myself. And let me tell you, this brand does not disappoint!
But don‘t just take my word for it. Zoe Lev has racked up some serious buzz since its launch in 2011. We‘re talking:
- 💎 170K+ Instagram followers
- 📰 Features in Vogue, InStyle, Elle, Harper‘s Bazaar, and more
- 🌟 A loyal celebrity fanbase including Chrissy Teigen, Margot Robbie, and Jennifer Lopez
Impressive, right? So what‘s so special about this LA-based jewelry brand? In this super in-depth review, I‘m spilling all the details on Zoe Lev—from the story behind the brand to my personal experience with their pieces. Consider this your ultimate guide!
The Story of Zoe Lev
Before we dive into the pretty things, let‘s talk about the heart behind Zoe Lev. The brand was founded by the incredibly talented Stephanie Sarka, a longtime jewelry lover with a vision for creating unique, meaningful pieces.
Stephanie‘s passion started at a young age, when she would marvel at her husband‘s collection of estate jewelry. "I was immediately drawn to the idea of jewelry as heirlooms, pieces with a story to tell," she recalls. This fascination led her to work with one of the largest pearl houses in the US, where she honed her skills and knowledge.
In 2011, Stephanie took a leap of faith and launched Zoe Lev (named after her daughter) out of her LA home. The goal? To craft personalized, versatile pieces that make the wearer feel special. "I wanted to create jewelry that feels like an extension of yourself, that you never want to take off," Stephanie explains.
Each Zoe Lev piece is designed and made by hand in their LA studio using only the finest materials, like 14K gold and ethically-sourced diamonds. The attention to detail is honestly incredible—you can tell so much love goes into every item.
Why Celebrities Love Zoe Lev
It‘s no secret that Hollywood is obsessed with Zoe Lev. Seriously, the brand‘s Instagram is like a Who‘s Who of A-listers rocking their designs.
Take the gorgeous Ciara, for example. She wore Zoe Lev‘s custom Dog Tag Necklace ($500) to announce her third pregnancy, layered with the Diamond Mama Necklace ($595). The result? A sentimental, stunning combo that basically broke the internet.
And don‘t even get me started on Chrissy Teigen‘s collection. She‘s been spotted in the Gold Curve Earrings ($195), Bezel Choker ($430), and Diamond Initial Necklace ($595)—just to name a few. I love how she effortlessly mixes and matches her Zoe Lev pieces for a cool, personal look.
Other celeb fans include Hailey Bieber, Jessica Alba, Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, Jenna Dewan…the list goes on. So what‘s the big attraction? I think it comes down to three factors:
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💫 The perfect blend of timeless and trendy. Zoe Lev pieces feel classic, but with a modern edge.
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🙋♀️ Customization, customization, customization. So many ways to personalize and make each piece your own.
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💎 Insanely high quality. Like I said, this is jewelry that‘s made to last a lifetime.
Honestly, it‘s easy to see why Zoe Lev is Hollywood‘s go-to for everyday luxury.
Zoe Lev Best-Sellers (aka My Wishlist)
From dainty personalized pieces to statement-making diamonds, Zoe Lev has something for every style. Here are some of their bestsellers that I‘m personally obsessed with:
Name & Initial Necklaces
The Diamond Name Necklace is Zoe Lev‘s signature piece—and for good reason. You can customize your name or a special word in a variety of beautiful scripts, with options for metal (14K yellow, white, or rose gold) and chain length. It‘s the perfect gift for yourself or a loved one. Prices start at $790.
For a more minimal look, I‘m obsessed with the Block Letter Necklace. It‘s a solid 14K gold initial on a dainty cable chain. So chic and easy to layer! This style comes in two sizes, starting at $400.
Everyday Essentials
Can we talk about huggies for a sec? IMO, Zoe Lev‘s Huggies are the perfect everyday earring. They come in a few sizes and you can even add a little diamond if you‘re feeling extra. I love how effortless and versatile they are. Prices start at $170 for the plain gold.
Another must-have is the Bezel Diamond Choker. The single floating diamond is such an elegant, eye-catching detail. It looks amazing on its own or layered with other necklaces. Trust me, you‘ll reach for this piece constantly! It ranges from $430-$495.
Personalized Pieces
Remember those Dog Tag Necklaces I mentioned? They‘re even cuter in person. You can customize up to three tags with names, dates, coordinates…whatever speaks to you! I gifted my sister the Single Dog Tag Necklace ($300) with her new baby‘s name and birth date. Cue the happy tears.
I‘m also in love with the vintage-inspired Diamond Locket. You can add a custom engraving and even a photo inside for the most thoughtful, personal gift. It‘s a future heirloom for sure. Prices start at $950.
Quality & Craftsmanship
Let‘s talk about the most important thing: quality. I can say with total confidence that Zoe Lev jewelry is the real deal. The pieces are substantial, with a lovely weight to them, yet still comfortable to wear all day.
The majority of the collection is crafted from 14K solid gold—not gold-plated or filled. This means your jewelry will last WAY longer (we‘re talking generations) and is less likely to tarnish or irritate sensitive skin. Plus, it just feels so luxe and expensive.
The diamonds Zoe Lev uses are ethically sourced and truly stunning in person. They have such a beautiful sparkle! And every stone is hand-set by their team of skilled artisans, so you know it‘s done with care.
I also love that many of the pieces (like the huggies and chains) are hollow, so they‘re lightweight and comfy to wear 24/7. But don‘t worry—they‘re still durable! I‘ve had my Zoe Lev pieces for years and they look good as new.
Pricing & Value
OK, so Zoe Lev isn‘t exactly a budget brand. Pieces start around $150 and can go up to $1K+. But you know what? I think it‘s 100% worth it for the quality and specialness you‘re getting. This isn‘t jewelry that will fall apart or go out of style in a year. It‘s truly meant to last a lifetime.
I also love that Zoe Lev offers payment plans with Affirm, so you can spread out the cost of your dream piece over time. It makes the brand feel way more accessible and takes some of the stress out of a big purchase.
When it comes to value, I truly believe you get what you pay for with Zoe Lev. The craftsmanship, attention to detail, and versatility of the pieces make them worth every penny in my book. It‘s an investment, but one that you‘ll enjoy for years and years.
Customer Reviews & Experience
Don‘t just take my word for it—Zoe Lev has glowing reviews from customers around the world. The brand boasts:
- ⭐️ 4.3/5 stars on Sitejabber (97 reviews)
- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars on Etsy (26K+ sales, 3K+ reviews)
- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 stars on Facebook (138 reviews)
Reviewer after reviewer raves about the stunning pieces, excellent quality, and top-notch customer service. Here are a few highlights:
"I have been eyeing the diamond huggie earrings for months and finally splurged. They are even more beautiful in person! The perfect everyday earring. I‘m obsessed!" – Melissa K.
"My mom loved her Mother‘s Day gift (the 1″ 2 Letter Block Necklace with my and my brother‘s initials). The necklace is great quality and shipped really fast. I‘ll definitely order from Zoe Lev again!" – David R.
"I rarely write reviews but had to for Zoe Lev. I had an issue with my initial necklace chain and they sent me a replacement immediately, no questions asked. Plus the necklace is so pretty and dainty. Highly recommend this brand!" – Sarah P.
The one consistent complaint I saw was around the strict return policy. Because most pieces are custom, Zoe Lev doesn‘t accept returns or exchanges. While this is definitely a bummer, I get it. The policy is clearly stated on the website, so just be sure you‘re totally in love with your piece before ordering!
Shipping, Returns & Customer Service
Let‘s get into the nitty-gritty details. Zoe Lev offers a few shipping options, depending on how fast you need your new bling:
- 🚚 USPS Ground (3-5 days)
- 🚚 FedEx 2-Day
- 🚚 FedEx Overnight
Shipping is free (yay!) on U.S. orders over $100. Anything under that starts at $8.95.
International shipping is a flat $35 and can take 1-4 weeks, depending on your location. Just keep in mind that you may be responsible for additional customs fees.
Now for the not-so-fun part: returns. Like I mentioned, Zoe Lev doesn‘t allow returns or exchanges on custom or personalized pieces (so most of their collection). For non-custom items, you have 7 days from delivery to make a return. But you‘ll be responsible for a 10% restocking fee and return shipping costs. Not ideal!
My advice? Triple-check your spelling, sizing, and materials before placing an order. Zoe Lev also has a super detailed FAQ page that covers loads of common questions and concerns. When in doubt, reach out to their customer service team. In my experience, they‘re always friendly, responsive, and happy to help.
Zoe Lev vs. The Competition
Wondering how Zoe Lev stacks up to other personalized jewelry brands? I‘ve got you. Here‘s my take:
GLDN
GLDN is probably Zoe Lev‘s closest competition in terms of style and personalization options. I‘d say GLDN skews a bit more minimalist and budget-friendly, with lots of dainty gold pieces under $100.
GLDN‘s big draw is their hand-stamped bars and tags, which Zoe Lev doesn‘t offer. But if you‘re looking for diamonds or 14K gold, Zoe Lev definitely beats GLDN in quality.
Stone and Strand
Stone and Strand is another popular fine jewelry brand with some customizable pieces. Compared to Zoe Lev, S&S has a more modern, geometric style. Think: medallion pendants, open rings, and chain links.
Pricewise, Stone and Strand is similar to Zoe Lev (if not a bit spendier). But I prefer Zoe Lev‘s personalized options and celeb-approved aesthetic.
Catbird
Catbird is every cool girl‘s go-to for delicate, artsy-feeling jewelry. The brand has a handful of engravable pieces, but the options are more limited compared to Zoe Lev.
I‘d say Catbird is ideal if you want unique rings or earrings (they have amazing huggies and studs). But for everyday necklaces and bracelets with a personal touch, I‘d go with Zoe Lev all the way.
Is Zoe Lev Worth It? My Honest Opinion
OK, moment of truth: is Zoe Lev actually worth the hype? In my opinion, 100% yes. This brand checks all my boxes for amazing jewelry:
✔️ Unique, versatile designs that make a statement
✔️ High-quality, ethically sourced materials
✔️ Endless customization to express your personal style
✔️ Celeb-approved and totally gift-worthy
✔️ Female-founded and handmade in LA
Yes, the price point is definitely an investment. But I‘ve had my Zoe Lev pieces for literal years and I still wear them constantly. To me, that‘s the sign of a worthwhile purchase.
I also love supporting a woman-owned small business. You can tell Stephanie and her team pour so much love and care into every single piece.
My advice? Treat yourself to that special piece you‘ve been eyeing. Or put it on your wishlist for an anniversary/birthday/holiday. I can pretty much guarantee you‘ll be obsessed!
Final Thoughts
Whew, that was a lot of info. But I wanted to give you the full scoop on Zoe Lev! To recap: this LA-based brand makes stunning personalized jewelry that celebs and fashionistas can‘t get enough of. The pieces are spendy but SO worth it, IMO.
I hope this review helped you decide if Zoe Lev is right for you. And if you do take the plunge, def let me know which piece you choose. I love fangirling about jewelry with my readers.
Thanks for sticking with me through this super in-depth review. You‘re the best! 😘
Until next time,
Xoxo your favorite jewelry-obsessed fashionista
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. I only recommend products I truly love and think my readers will, too!
