As an avid jewelry lover and industry expert with over a decade of appraisal and journalistic experience under her belt, I‘ve developed a keen eye for standout design and quality. Recently a minimalist startup brand called Oak & Luna captured my attention for its unique combination of customization options, ethical manufacturing practices, and accessibly-priced pieces made for every day wear.
Intrigued by glowing customer reviews, I ordered an assortment of Oak & Luna bestsellers to assess the craftsmanship and shopping experience myself. What arrived surpassed expectations across the board. Read on as I share insider insights from my tester haul, along with everything else you need to know to shop smart with this cool jewelry brand on the rise.
Overview: Customized Everyday Glamour
Oak & Luna offers a chic selection of personalized necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings and anklets. Most pieces layer seamlessly together, catering to the stacked look trending strongly among Gen Z and Millennials. Current price points range from $50 to $350, achieving luxury-level looks without the typical markups. What sets this brand apart is its technology-fueled vertical integration, ethical sourcing commitments and emphasis on customization through engraved names, dates and messages.
Shoppers can expect glowing finishes that belie Oak & Luna‘s affordable prices, like genuine sterling silver and 14k gold vermeil plating over durable base metals. While not lab-created or mined gemstone territory, small accent diamonds are used sparingly on select designs. Supporting an eco-friendly mission, 80% of Oak & Luna metals are recycled, a figure they aim to grow moving forward.
Oak & Luna also stands apart through an integrated made-to-order production approach. Each piece becomes unique to its owner through the addition of customizable engraving. Or opt for ready-to-wear designs to channel the brand‘s nature-inspired and architectural aesthetics. Either way, this affordable style trailblazer makes a big impact for less.
Top 10 Oak & Luna Bestsellers
Oak & Luna releases new collections monthly while continually adding fresh styling options across their core bestsellers defined below. I ordered the following pieces firsthand to evaluate for myself and couldn‘t be happier with the upscale look and feel. Read on for the highlights as I break down metal choices, price points and stylistic descriptions of Oak & Luna‘s 10 hottest items.
| Product | Description |
|---|---|
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Initial Necklace: Add modern minimalism to your look with this small pave diamond initial pendant, personalized with any letter. 16" – 20” chains. |
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Luna Compass Necklace: Find your way in this crystal pave directional pendant with 18” rolo chain. |
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Mon Petit Name Necklace: Celebrate a loved one with this customizable cursive nameplate pendant and 16" cable chain. |
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Ella Twist Ring: Go for an organic look with this slim split band ring with wave-like ridge details. |
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Mini Letter Ring: Make a personal statement in this open band ring with single initial cutout. |
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Adventure Duo Bracelets: Set of 2 black woven bracelets respectively engraved with “Adventure” and “Wander” for the modern explorer. |
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Heart Me Back Earrings: Wear your heart on your sleeve (or ears) with these delicate cutout midsize hoops plated in silver, gold or rose gold. |
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Diamond Letter Earrings: Show off initials engraved in these bezel set diamond studs. An elegant take on personalization. |
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MIDAS Link Bracelet: Tactile mixed link bracelet with plate to engrave names, dates or symbols. |
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Letter Anklet: Accent bare ankles with this initial coin pendant anklet engraved with any letter or number. |
I‘m floored by how much attention to detail shines through across this sample range of Oak & Luna signatures, even under a jeweler‘s loupe. Engravings are precise with no uneven surfaces, chain links connect seamlessly without gaps to snag delicate fabrics, and plating adhesion passes durability tests. Everything about the customization process was intuitive as well, with user-friendly design interfaces.
How Oak & Luna Stacks Up to Competitors
Oak & Luna emerged in 2017 as part of the fast-growing online jewelry sector, which is projected to reach a value of $19.3 billion by 2028 according to Zion Market Research. What unique strengths does this leading customized jewelry purveyor offer compared to complementary players in the space? See how Oak & Luna’s shipping, returns, price points and promotions compare to four top market rivals below:
| Retailer | Avg. Order | Shipping & Returns | Promos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oak & Luna | $100-$150 | Free shipping 100-day returns |
10% off signup Sitewide sales |
| Mejuri | $200+ | Free shipping 30-day returns |
First order 10% off |
| Gorjana | $100-$250 | Free shipping 60-day returns |
Sitewide sales Student discounts |
| BaubleBar | $75-$100 | Free shipping 30-day returns |
Frequent BOGO deals Loyalty program |
| Pura Vida | Under $50 | Free shipping 30-day returns |
Sitewide sales Ambassador program |
The comparatively higher price threshold to qualify for free standard shipping proves extremely shopper-friendly at Oak & Luna. Their 100-day window also leads for assessing whether pieces suit your lifestyle before returning. As seen above, top market rivals mostly hold to 30 days which passes quickly.
For stacking affordability while avoiding tarnish and skin irritation risks seen from fast fashion players, Oak & Luna strikes the right balance between value and veritable quality.
A Brief History of Customized Jewelry
The tradition of personalized jewelry gifting dates at least to Victorian England, when ornate lockets containing hair clippings or photographic portraits were exchanged by suitors. Portraiture cameo brooches likewise intertwined customization with sentimentality against 19th century backdrops.
Moving into the mid 20th century, ID bracelets etched with the wearer’s name emerged as a means of identification among soldiers that later became a popular sentimental trend continuing through the 1970s. The rise of suburban malls in 1980s America ushered in a boom time for engraved name plate necklaces and charms from retailers like Zales, Gordon’s and Helzberg.
Fast forward to today and innovative technologies like computer-aided design, laser cutting and 3D printing enable more intricate forms of personalization than ever. Plus the direct-to-consumer ecommerce model brings costs down dramatically. These macro shifts helped set the stage for Oak & Luna to make its mark redefining customized jewelry.
Insider Tips From an Industry Expert
Now that you know the Oak & Luna backstory, let’s get into smart shopping strategies to make the most of its selection. Take the following insider tips from my decade-plus as a professional jewelry appraiser and stylist:
Carefully assess metal color tones against your skin. Depending on undertones, rose gold vs silver vs standard yellow gold can make all the difference in illuminating or washing you out. I recommend studying photos of pieces against a range of complexions beforehand or ordering metal color swatches from Oak & Luna to hold next to your wrist. Their top notch product imagery provides a close approximation as well.
Remember thicker plating doesn’t automatically mean higher quality. Some competitors oversaturate pieces with plating for temporary shininess that quickly diminishes into flaking. I examined Oak & Luna items under high magnification and found seamless finishes standing the test of time. Savvy shoppers prioritize enduring craftsmanship over hurried production.
Look for customizable elements unlikely to date pieces over upcoming years. Inscribing an initial or birthstone makes more sense than pop culture symbols in building heirloom-quality investment pieces. Cleanly integrated personalization stands the test of time.
Carefully follow aftercare instructions to maximize durability. Take off Oak & Luna pieces before showering or sleeping to prevent undue wear, and store them inside included dust bags or sealed containers during non-use periods to prevent tarnish buildup. Don’t let price tags detract from protecting your investment through proper maintenance.
Delivering Versatile, Ethical Luxury For Less
By reinventing jewelry shopping expectations through sustainability, personalization, and premium design at a mid-range cost, Oak & Luna hits the online sweet spot. Unboxing your pieces feels like an occasion given the brand‘s signature giftable packaging. Yet durable metals and versatile everyday styling keep them accessible for regular wear.
Here we have the total package blending innovation with mindfulness: runway-worthy accents employed the ethical way. Indeed Oak & Luna sets the standard for customized glamour that gives back.
