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GLDN: Great Jewelry or Just Great Marketing?
Blush and Bar
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Are you a fan of heartfelt, handmade jewelry?
The jewelry brand GLDN may already be on your radar.
Whether you’re one of the brand’s 243,000 followers on Instagram, or you’re just hearing about the brand for the first time, this guide is a must-read.
We’ll give you the lowdown on the brand—including whether it’s worth adding a piece of GLDN jewelry to your collection. Keep reading to discover more.
About GLDN
GLDN (pronounced “Golden”) is an online handmade jewelry store based in La Conner, Washington.
The brand’s story is as personal as their jewelry.
GLDN’s seeds were first planted in 2012, when Chrissy Lavdovsky, a Princeton-educated artist and single mother, had the vision to create “the perfect personalized gift.”
Sans a proper workspace to craft her personalized, handmade pieces in, she set up a makeshift space in her kitchen to practice her jewelry art.
Chrissy initially sold the pieces under the name Layered + Long on Etsy, an online marketplace specializing in selling handmade and vintage goods. The following year, she hired her mother to join the company, and the year after that, she hired three more employees and moved into the company’s first studio.
In 2015, with a team of 15 makers, founder Chrissy—now the director—took the time to pinpoint the company’s future goals.
A year later, GLDN was born with a mission "to make personal, quality, affordable pieces - by hand and at scale - empowering people through craft."
The company continued to expand in the years following, with GLDN hiring their 100th Maker in 2019.
Today, GLDN has three workspaces, a team of over 85 and growing, and a legion of loyal customers.
What’s the brand known for?
GLDN is known for handcrafting stylish and delicate made-to-order jewelry pieces that have a personal touch.
The brand’s collection includes a wide array of metal rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings suitable for everyday wear.
GLDN heavily promotes the meaningful and personal nature of their jewelry, so these qualities have become two of the main ones the brand is known for.
Customers can personalize their GLDN jewelry pieces by selecting from particular customizable design elements.
For example, customers can inscribe a single initial of their choice, like the letters “A” or “R,” on select pieces in GLDN’s jewelry collection (such as the Micro Signet Rings pictured).
Source: GLDN
The customizable design elements on other pieces of jewelry are dependent on the theme of the particular collection in question.
For example, the Flora Collection customers can choose from 22 different flowers to inscribe on their jewelry piece. In contrast, those shopping from the Hand Gestures Collection can choose from a range of eight hand gestures to engrave on their jewelry piece.
The brand’s jewelry pieces also come in a choice of different metals, namely 14K gold fill, sterling silver, rose gold fill, and 14K solid gold.
Sizes can also be customized; rings come in a range of sizes, and necklaces and bracelets come in three to four different lengths. Customers can also request a custom size if the size they need isn’t listed.
Why do people shop at GLDN?
There are many reasons people choose to shop at GLDN.
Some people may appreciate that each piece is handmade to order by the company’s team of makers instead of being mass-produced in a factory.
Others may find GLDN’s classy and refined aesthetic appealing.
GLDN is also popular with people looking to purchase a piece of meaningful jewelry they can personalize and customize, particularly for a special occasion like a birthday or engagement.
People also shop at GLDN because they want to support the brand’s commitment to giving back and ethical jewelry creation.
GLDN runs a Giving Back Program, where they give 10% of profits from each piece
to programs that empower the women and maker community.
Additionally, 90% of the metals the brand uses to create its pieces are recycled. The brand takes a sustainable approach to jewelry creation by making made-to-order pieces and recycling scrap material.
How is the brand’s quality?
Overall, the quality of GLDN’s jewelry seems to be very high. There are a few essential considerations to keep in mind regarding the brand’s quality.
Let’s start with the good. The brand only uses high-quality metals, such as sterling silver, gold fill, and 14K solid gold, and each piece is handmade.
According to customer reviews left on GLDN’s website, customers appear to be pleased with the brand’s quality. Many reviews point out how beautiful and dainty the pieces are and that they would consider buying from the brand again.
It’s worth highlighting that we came across a review from a customer whose bracelet broke after two days. They said the company demonstrated “amazing service” and sent over a brand new one right away.
The brand offers lifetime resizing and repairs in addition to a 30-day refund policy and 90-day exchange policy.
Now let’s get to the not-so-good. The brand’s customer reviews are primarily limited to those on its website, and it’s not listed on reputable customer review sites like Trustpilot.
This doesn’t mean the brand’s quality isn’t up to scratch, but it’s worth keeping in mind as you mull over a GLDN piece that’s caught your eye.
What’s the verdict?
GLDN is a jewelry brand that creates high-quality, meaningful, and original jewelry pieces.
The pieces are an excellent choice if you’re on the hunt for personalized jewelry that exudes a delicate and sophisticated aesthetic, whether for yourself or a gift for loved ones.
However, the fact the brand isn’t listed on reputable customer review websites may be worth keeping in mind.
If you’re after another option, take a look at Blush and Bar.
We similarly handcraft each of our gorgeous, 18K metal jewelry pieces with love and keep our entire range affordable.
We also believe in giving back, which is why we donate a portion of Blush and Bar sales to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
What’s more, we have a 4.2 out of 5 star rating on Trustpilot. Moreover, we offer our customers a lifetime warranty and a 60-day money-back guarantee, so you can buy with complete confidence.
Ready to see our stunning jewelry collection for yourself? Shop our collection at Blush and Bar today!
