I'll be the first to admit that I have a taste for the finer things in life. Champagne, designer shoes, cashmere, expensive skincare, fancy handbags, diamonds, the lot... It's an unfortunate affliction that I have suffered with since infancy, only made all the more tragic by the fact that I can't actually afford any of these things (fml).
Through sheer hard work and determination, I've managed to get my hands on a few cut-price treasures over the years – I'm talking scouring vintage and second-hand shops weekly, scrolling eBay, Depop and Vestiaire for more hours than I care to disclose, and battling my way into many a designer sample sale. But still, the Carrie Bradshaw-esque, fabulous wardrobe of my dreams is a very long way off.
The one thing I am very proud of, though, is my jewellery collection. I've always been of the opinion that a great pair of earrings, carefully layered necklaces, chunky stack of bangles or a perfectly curated ear can elevate even the most simple of outfits and make you look instantly put-together – and more expensive, too. But unlike the rest of my fashion obsessions, beautiful pieces that won't break the bank are well within reach. If you know where to look, that is...
So, without further ado, allow me to introduce you to my no-longer-well-kept secret: Mejuri. Well-priced, stylish, modern and high-quality, it's the jewellery brand that fashion editors and celebs including Sydney Sweeney, Sofia Richie, Bella Hadid, Selena Gomez and EmRata can't get enough of – namely, because it looks far more expensive than it actually is.
Founded in 2015 by Noura Sakkijha with the mission of turning fine jewellery into an everyday occasion, Mejuri is a Toronto-based brand known for its affordable yet stylish, minimalist designs that will stand the test of time. As the brand itself puts it: "Major brands in our industry markup their products 8-10x the actual cost. We do things differently. To make luxury accessible, we've built relationships with the best manufacturers and sell directly to you. Basically, our jewellery is handcrafted with the same top materials and quality craftsmanship as other luxury jewellery brands but without the traditional markups."
Clementina wears Mejuri baguette diamond eternity band and Dôme ring.
Having seen so many brands make bold claims over the years, it all sounded too good to be true – and so I cautiously bought myself a single mini hoop earring and put it to the test. I've had it in for more than a year, without ever taking it out, and it hasn't tarnished or been damaged in the slightest, looking as shiny and fab as it did the day it arrived. That's probably down to the fact that it's made from 14k solid gold – and for only £38. For context, a similar piece I'd been eyeing from *that* famous earring brand (you know the one) would have set me back more than £100... Now that's maths you simply can't argue with.
Naturally, after that, the floodgates opened, and I found myself buying Mejuri pieces at an alarming rate. It doesn't help that the brand releases new designs weekly and only in limited quantities too... No regrets, though, because they're all still going strong, and I know that these are pieces I will wear forever. Take the statement Dôme ring, for example, that only set me back £68 and gets me compliments almost every single day, or the super cool mixed metal silver and gold link earrings that a friend genuinely thought were from Tiffany's.
Clementina wears Mejuri mixed convertible link earrings and diamond letter pendant.
Easily my favourite thing about Mejuri has to be that it means I can finally live out my dream of being someone who casually wears diamonds and pearls. Sure, Mejuri is technically an affordable jewellery brand, but there are some spennier styles to shop, too. Had I not come across the brand, there's no way I would have been able to afford such luxuries. Now, my collection is slowly filling with delicate diamond necklaces and pearl-studded earrings that add more low-key everyday glamour to my look than a designer bag ever could.
Of all the jewellery I own, it's undoubtedly my Mejuri pieces that get the most attention when I wear them – and not just the more statement designs, either. Mejuri does "basics" particularly well: think slim hoops and delicate studs for building up your curated ear, to simple chains that you can wear alone for low-key elegance, or build up over time with pretty pendants (that, btw, you can also add onto earrings). As they're all made of sterling silver or gold, they have a sheen that you just don't get from lower-priced high-street contenders.
