Ubiquitous bubble necklaces are the new string of pearls. Bubble necklaces show up on game day, at Sunday brunch, at job interviews and at everything in between. The fashion trend toward bright colors may seem overdone, but the bubble necklace still remains a classic statement piece. Its huge jewels, fabulous colors and unforgettable clank as it moves are hard to miss. But if you haven’t caught on to the trend yet there are a few tips you have to know before you dive into bubble world.
1. All bubble necklaces are knockoffs, well, except for the real ones. J. Crew’s “Bubble Necklace” is priced at a nauseating $150. These necklaces have been passed through Pinterest enough times that now the faux necklaces have become more obtainable than a little black dress.
2. If you’re obsessed with getting the “real deal,” eBay is the way to go. I saw some bubble necklaces listed for prices as low as $9.99 (with a sketchy J. Crew tag sitting in the distance). However, it’s impossible to know, with so many knock-offs now, exactly what you will be receiving in the mail.
3. Amazon has some pretty decent bubble necklace sellers. For example, EnyaJewlery, has received above average reviews, and its necklaces are priced at a mere $16.99. And there’s more colors available than J. Crew currently has.
4. Some jewelry boutiques like Jewliq have created its own imitations that seem to be of decent quality but come at a slightly higher price.
5. The most popular route for Bubble Necklaces is through Etsy. BubbleWorld has the cheaper necklaces starting at $13.99. However, from my experience, this is not the company to choose. The China-based company set off an alert when it was charged to my credit card, to say the least. I would suggest not buying internationally. MidnightGirls, based in New York, has a great variety with fantastic reviews. However, this comes at a slightly higher price of $25
So, if you’re still stuck on getting that bubble necklace (or are looking to get your fifth) stick to American-made Etsy products, which will get you the best quality for the best price, or take your chances with some eBay bids. If bargaining isn’t your forte, well, just wait for the necklaces to go on J. Crew factory.
