What Do I Have in Common with Michelle Obama? We Both Love This Laguna Beach-Based Jewelry Brand

And these pieces all come in at less than $250

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gorjana jewelry review collage
PureWow/Gorjana/Original Photo by Natalie LaBarbera

Before I moved to L.A., one store I would *always* make time to stop in while visiting with my mom was Gorjana. This Laguna Beach-based jewelry brand is filled with minimalist, but stylish designs—the kind of pieces you can easily pull out of your jewelry box to wear daily—and I always loved picking out something new that I could wear over and over again until my next West Coast trip. And recently, I found out that we're far from the only ones who love the brand, since their Bespoke Bar Necklace ($80) just happens to be one of Michelle Obama's go-tos for gifting. Naturally, I had to test out this necklace to find out what makes it so good, and included my thoughts on it, along with a few other faves from the brand, below.

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When I pulled this necklace out of the box, I immediately understood why it makes such a great gift. The necklace (made from 18k gold plated brass) is a super versatile style, so practically anyone can add it into their usual jewelry rotation, and it's lightweight enough that I barely felt it throughout the day. While I kept mine plain, you can also opt to add some engraving (up to 15 characters), such as an initial or symbol to make it extra special for your giftee—or yourself!

I've been wearing these earrings weekly since I got them, not only because of their chic interlocked design, but because they're comfy to keep in all day long. The 18k gold plated material is really lightweight, so I never feel like they're pulling on my ears, and the surgical steel post doesn't irritate my skin at all.

If you want to invest a bit more on solid gold pieces, Gorjana has you covered there, too. I tried out this delicate stacking ring, which is crafted from 14k solid gold and diamonds. Now the diamonds on this one are small, but I think that makes it a great option for everyday wear or stacking with other rings with a bolder design. Either way, this was one I had no problem keeping on for days at a time, so there's no doubt you'll get plenty of wear out of it.

If you're looking for a standout necklace design, allow me to introduce you to the Asher necklace (crafted from 18k gold plated metal). I've gotten *so* many compliments on this one, and it's probably my favorite of the bunch, too. The heart-shaped pendant is heavy, so it easily stays in place, and the construction feels high-quality. Plus, you can switch out the heart with any of the brand's other charms, too, so it's like you're getting multiple designs in one.


natalie bio photo e1692204716113

Associate Commerce Editor

  • Writes commerce stories and features that span multiple topics, including fashion, beauty, travel, home and sales/deals
  • Has contributed to reports on ethical fashion and continues to stay up-to-date on sustainablility developments
  • Completed a bachelor's degree in psychology at the University of Pittsburgh and a master's degree in fashion studies at Parsons The New School

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