Aurate vs. Mejuri: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Aurate is known for its timeless, investment-quality fine jewelry with a strong focus on sustainable luxury and substantial, durable designs. In contrast, Mejuri offers trendy, minimalist jewelry designed for everyday wear and layering, often at a more accessible entry price for those looking to build a modern collection.

Let's break down the key differences to help you decide which direct-to-consumer jewelry brand fits your style and budget.

Aurate: The Sustainable Luxury Minimalist

Aurate is a New York-based brand focused on creating elegant, timeless jewelry using high-quality, ethically sourced materials. Their designs are classic yet modern, created to be staple pieces you can wear for decades. The brand appeals to consumers who value transparent sourcing, exceptional craftsmanship, and enduring style over fast-fashion trends.

• Product mix: Primarily 14k solid gold pieces, including delicate chains, stackable rings, and versatile earrings. Most of their collection highlights the quality of the gold itself, with designs featuring conflict-free diamonds and ethically sourced pearls.
• Price point: Pieces generally range from $100 to $500, with a majority of popular items sitting in the $150–$300 range. They reflect investment-level quality at direct-to-consumer prices.
• Quality & Materials: Focused on durability, using recycled 14k gold and high-grade conflict-free diamonds. Aurate's rings and chains often feel more substantial than competitors, which supports their lifetime warranty that covers manufacturing defects.
• Style & Aesthetic: The design ethos is refined and sophisticated, combining classic silhouettes with modern simplicity. These are investment pieces intended for long-term wear, not just for a season.
• Sustainability: One of the brand's core pillars. Aurate is heavily committed to using 100% recycled gold and is transparent about its supply chain and ethical manufacturing practices.

Aurate is a fantastic choice if you're seeking to invest in fewer, higher-quality elegant pieces that will stand the test of time and are created with sustainable practices at the forefront.

Shop Aurate: auratenewyork.com

Mejuri: The Everyday Fashion Jewelry Favorite

Mejuri has become a leader in the direct-to-consumer jewelry space by making fine jewelry feel accessible and fun. With its Toronto roots, the brand targets a millennial and Gen Z audience that loves experimenting with style through trendy, stackable, and layer-friendly pieces. Mejuri’s famous weekly "drops" keep their collections fresh and exciting.

• Product mix: Offers a wide variety of pieces ideal for everyday wear, including dainty necklaces, hoops, and stacking rings. Core materials include 14k solid gold, as well as more affordable gold vermeil (a thick layer of 18k gold over sterling silver) and sterling silver.
• Price point: Highly accessible, with many popular items priced between $50 and $300. Their frequent promotions and ability to mix gold vermeil with solid gold make building a collection more budget-friendly.
• Quality & Materials: Their solid 14k gold pieces are made for daily wear. Gold vermeil options are high quality but require more gentle care to maintain their finish over time. Like Aurate, Mejuri also offers a lifetime warranty against product defects.
• Style & Aesthetic: Minimalist and modern, but with a clear focus on current trends. Mejuri's collection includes geometric shapes, bold chains, and unique charms perfect for personalizing your look.
• Sustainability: Committed to responsible sourcing with a majority of its gold being recycled and diamonds compliant with conflict-free standards. They publish annual sustainability reports to maintain transparency with their customers.

Mejuri is ideal for the fashion-forward shopper who wants stylish, high-quality jewelry for everyday coordination and personal expression without a massive financial commitment.

Shop Mejuri: mejuri.com

Aurate vs. Mejuri Comparison

Price Comparison

While both brands operate in the "affordable luxury" space, their pricing strategies serve different customers. Mejuri excels at accessibility, with many sterling silver and gold vermeil pieces under $100 and solid 14k gold starting around $150. They also host more frequent sales, including a popular Black Friday event, making their products even easier to acquire.

Aurate positions itself as an accessible investment. Their pricing starts slightly higher, reflecting their focus exclusively on fine materials like 14k solid gold and higher-karat options. You're paying for slightly more substantial construction and timeless design made entirely from recycled precious metals, which means you get excellent long-term value.

Quality & Materials

Both brands confidently stand behind their products with lifetime warranties. Either is a good choice for high-quality jewelry. The primary difference is in the weight and the material options.

Aurate's pieces are often designed to be a bit more solid and have a more noticeable weight, which adds to their luxurious feel and durability. They exclusively focus on solid gold and platinum. Mejuri makes high-quality solid gold products too, but their introduction of gold vermeil provides variety and affordability. While high-quality, vermeil can wear over time if exposed to water or chemicals, whereas Aurate's solid gold pieces will not.

Style & Aesthetic

Herein lies the biggest distinction. Aurate's style is quintessentially classic and enduring. Think of the perfect small gold hoop, the simple diamond pendant, or the perfectly crafted chain bracelet - pieces that are elegant today and will remain that way in 20 years. Their designs are subtle and intended to complement any outfit without overpowering it.

Mejuri is fundamentally about modern self-expression. Their collections are designed to be stacked, mixed, and layered. They are much quicker to incorporate trends like chunky chains, enamel details, or unique geometric motifs. If you enjoy updating your jewelry wardrobe seasonally and creating a personalized look by combining multiple pieces, Mejuri directly caters to that desire.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both brands are leaders in this category. They prioritize responsible sourcing, using recycled gold to reduce their environmental footprint and ensuring all diamonds are conflict-free via the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.

Aurate often goes a step further in its public-facing communication, providing detailed information about its transparent supply chain right on its product pages. Mejuri publishes annual reports on its progress, showcasing accountability. No matter which you choose, you can feel confident you are supporting a brand that values ethical and sustainable practices.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both Aurate and Mejuri are excellent options, but they are built for different shoppers and priorities.

Choose Aurate if:

• You're looking for high-quality, "forever" pieces to build an elegant jewelry foundation.
• You prioritize durability and the substantial feel of solid, recycled gold craftsmanship.
• Your personal style leans more toward classic, timeless, and sophisticated minimalism.
• You're buying a significant gift, like a modern engagement ring or milestone piece.

Choose Mejuri if:

• You want trendy, modern jewelry that allows you to express your personal style daily.
• You love the idea of stacking rings, layering necklaces, and creating new looks.
• You are shopping for jewelry within a stricter budget and appreciate affordable options like gold vermeil.
• You enjoy the excitement of frequent new arrivals and a constantly evolving collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Aurate or Mejuri cheaper?

Mejuri is generally cheaper, with a lower entry price point thanks to its gold vermeil and sterling silver collections. While its solid gold prices are competitive, Aurate's pieces often contain more gold by weight, factoring into their higher price. However, you get excellent value.

Which brand has better quality?

Both brands offer high-quality jewelry with lifetime warranties. Aurate’s pieces are often more substantial, crafted exclusively from solid gold, which contributes to a feeling of higher quality and extreme durability. Mejuri's solid gold items are also excellent for everyday wear, while its gold vermeil pieces are high grade but require more careful maintenance to avoid wear.

Is Aurate and Mejuri jewelry real gold?

Yes. Both brands use real 14k solid gold as a core material. Mejuri also uses gold vermeil, which is a thick layer of 18k gold electroplated over sterling silver, and it should not be confused with lower-quality gold plating. Aurate works exclusively with solid gold and platinum.

Do Aurate and Mejuri jewelry tarnish?

Solid gold will not tarnish. Neither brand's 14k gold pieces should tarnish. Mejuri's gold vermeil can lose its luster or the gold layer can wear off over a long time if consistently exposed to sweat, lotions, or water.

Which is more sustainable, Aurate or Mejuri?

Both brands excel at sustainability and ethical sourcing, using recycled metals and conflict-free diamonds. Aurate places a slightly stronger emphasis on its 100% recycled gold in its marketing and provides very detailed supply chain information, but both are responsible industry choices.

Which brand is better for an engagement ring?

Aurate is the superior choice for an engagement ring. Their focus on high-quality craftsmanship, durable designs, and timeless aesthetics makes their pieces ideal for a once-in-a-lifetime purchase meant to last forever.

What are the return policies for Aurate and Mejuri?

Generally, both brands offer flexible 30-day return and exchange windows for most pieces, provided they are in their original condition. Always check their websites for the most current policies, as some items like custom or engraved pieces may be final sale.