AUrate review

As I get older, I find myself drawn to unfussy, classic pieces that withstand the test of time — and honestly, those have really been the foundation of my closet and the items I wear over and over again. Take this Tory Burch coat, for instance. I added it to my wardrobe back in 2015 and I look forward to chilly weather every year so I can wear it again. The Prada sunglasses were my first designer pair and I still reach for them weekly. The bag? Well, we all know it’s something I’ll keep in my closet forever. That’s not to say that I haven’t made some sartorial missteps when curating my closet — I’m sure taking a look through the archives here will turn up some gems — but narrowing down my style and considering the longevity of each piece is not only a fiscally responsible decision, it’s a sustainable way to shop. Long gone are the days of hitting up the mall to find a cheap “going out” top and a bauble to match, only to add them to the donation bag a few months later.

One brand that has quickly made its way into the “classic-pieces-I’ll-keep-forever” category is AUrate. I introduced you to AUrate earlier this year, but I wanted to put the jeweler back on your radar this season when we’re all looking at making bigger investments in our wardrobes and starting to think about gift-giving and receiving. AUrate is a lot like Warby Parker or Everlane in that the brand seeks to create more transparency in their industry by cutting out the middle man to bring direct-to-consumer fine jewelry at fair prices without sacrificing quality or style. All of AUrate’s pieces are handmade in New York City by experienced jewelers and are guaranteed for life.

When I browsed AUrate’s collection with my own wardrobe in mind, I knew I wanted to go with a gold necklace. I have a few dainty options, but nothing that bridged the gap between a luxe piece of jewelry and an easy-to-wear everyday piece. This 14k gold bar necklace nails it. I put the necklace on immediately when it arrived two weeks ago and I’ve been wearing it every day since. It’s a moderate investment at $220, but it’s one of those perfect pieces you’ll treasure for years.

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Thanks to AUrate for partnering on this post!

As I get older, my sartorial focus continues to shift toward building a wardrobe with versatile, quality items. I used to believe that a high price tag meant a high-quality piece. However, those don’t always go hand-in-hand, and that’s especially true for your jewelry thanks to a new-to-me brand called AUrate. AUrate seeks to create more transparency in the jewelry business by cutting out the middle man to bring direct-to-consumer fine jewelry at fair prices. AUrate is doing its part to give back, too. Each piece is created with ethical and sustainable business practices in mind, and every sale supports literacy efforts in the United States by giving a book to a child in need. (I’ve talked about the Madison Reading Project before, so you know that’s a cause I can get behind!)

The collection itself is gorgeous and offers understated, everyday jewelry along with sophisticated, statement-making options. I came across an interview with Sophie Kahn, one of the brand’s founders, and she summed it up best: “We’re not focused on one aesthetic. We understand a woman is multi-faceted, that she’s going through different moments, different times, and we’ve adapted our aesthetic to that.”

Perhaps not surprisingly, I gravitated toward the collection of gold earrings when AUrate reached out to see if I’d like to collaborate. I initially fell in love with these bar earrings, and I was sold when I realized it was an ear jacket. It’s such a beautiful way to put a modern spin on a classic piece of jewelry. (My earrings happen to be gold vermeil, but these and all AUrate pieces can be crafted in 14k or 18k yellow, rose, or white gold.) But what I was struck by most was the quality of the jewelry. They’re substantial without weighing my earlobe down and seem like they should cost a lot more than they do. I have no doubt that these will be a lifelong addition to my jewelry collection.

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Thanks to AUrate for partnering on this post!

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