Call it an entry-level offering or a gift, fashion-forward new fine jewels priced up to $1,500 retail are always in demand! Clients in the market for a piece under this price point are typically looking at sterling silver or gold-plated silver items, some with 18k gold accents, or even minimalist styles in 14k gold with a dusting of diamonds or gemstone accents.

Shefi Diamond

To appeal to these shoppers, Shefi Diamonds sells series of collections, such as its textured yellow gold and diamond designs, complete with displays. “This strategy not only showcases our designs effectively but also ensures a cohesive and attractive presentation for our customers,” explains Surbhi Jain, marketing director.

At the Royal Chain Group, pieces in this price point include stackable bracelets with mixed metals, while at Lali Jewelry, dainty gold and pearl styles are a good under-$1,500 option, as are birthstones, which are universally relatable.

“Everyone has one,” says PeriLynn Glasner, design and marketing director, Lali. “They make great gifts for a variety of occasions.”

         Lali Jewels

At ODI, items under $1,500 can be made in karat gold. These include personalized pendants, studs, and small huggie hoops and inspirational numbers with messages of love, hope, and peace.

“The yellow gold and black diamond look is very popular, with some customers requesting faceted onyx in place of the black diamonds, to achieve a lower retail,” explains Valerie Fletcher, vice president of design and product development.

Ostbye is getting more requests for disk-style pendants, affordable gold earrings, and elevated silver designs. It has also had success with its 3-in-1 pendants featuring starburst or sunray motifs; double hoop and twist design earrings; floral, signet, and stacking rings; and silver bolo-style and bangle bracelets.

Original Designs / ODI

“We do make what our retailers ask for,” she observes.

In fact, it has a new upscale silver line called Sparkle Lane for those wanting “a more refined look without having to pay the gold price,” she adds.

Meanwhile, Caroline Lerche, sales associate, Goldstar Jewellery, says many of her clients are seeking out 10k gold, silver, and gold-plated designs “to hit the price point they need,” she says. “There has also been a big shift to lab-grown diamonds to hit lower price points.”

In lab-grown diamonds, small tennis-style bracelets and three-stone pendants and earrings are popular for Goldstar.

Fletcher is seeing a lot of requests for vermeil. Her firm’s mix features a “much thicker than normal flash … making it much more durable and less likely to tarnish over time,” she says.

        Royal Chain

As far as buyers’ ages, in general, the younger clients typically go for the trendy and less expensive, but that’s not always the case. Phillip Gabriel Maroof, vice president of marketing and design, Royal Chain, sees the newest generation buying pieces that could belong to their grandmother and grandmothers wanting the trendy. With so much crossover and so many ‘surprising sales’ happening at counters nationwide, he’s decided to be less focused on age during the design process.

“Styles can often transcend the intended target audience,” he says. “As a result, we’re less focused on segmenting our looks around age range these days.”