Brilliant Earth vs. Kendra Scott: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Brilliant Earth specializes in ethically sourced fine jewelry like engagement rings and heirloom pieces, using high-quality materials such as recycled gold and conflict-free diamonds. In contrast, Kendra Scott focuses on creating trendy, colorful, and affordable fashion jewelry perfect for everyday wear and layering. The primary difference lies in their purpose and price point: Brilliant Earth is for significant, lasting investments, while Kendra Scott is for accessible, of-the-moment style.

Let's explore the details to help you decide which jewelry brand is the right fit for your style and budget.

Brilliant Earth: The Leader in Ethical Fine Jewelry

Brilliant Earth has built its reputation on a foundation of transparency, sustainability, and ethical sourcing. This brand appeals directly to consumers who want their luxury purchases to have a positive impact. They are a leader in the bridal and fine jewelry market for shoppers who prioritize conflict-free diamonds, lab-grown alternatives, and recycled precious metals without compromising on classic, elegant design.

• Product mix: Primarily known for engagement rings and wedding bands, they also offer a wide selection of fine jewelry including necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. Extensive customization allows shoppers to design their perfect piece.
• Price point: As a fine jewelry brand, prices are in the mid-range to luxury category. Engagement rings typically start around $1,000 for a setting and can easily exceed $10,000 depending on the diamond and materials chosen.
• Quality & Materials: The focus is on heirloom quality. They use recycled 18k gold and platinum, ethically sourced natural diamonds (Beyond Conflict Free™), and lab-grown diamonds, ensuring durability and timeless value.
• Sizing/Fit: Ring sizing is precise, with comprehensive guides and custom sizing options available to ensure a perfect fit for such a significant purchase.
• Sustainability: This is the core of their brand identity. From using recycled metals to ensuring a transparent and short supply chain for their gemstones, every aspect of the business emphasizes environmental responsibility.
• Return policy: Offers a 30-day free return window for most items, along with free shipping, making the online buying experience for a high-value item feel secure.

Brilliant Earth is the ideal choice for anyone purchasing a significant, lifelong piece of jewelry who values exceptional craftsmanship and ethical transparency above all else.

Shop Brilliant Earth: brilliantearth.com

Kendra Scott: The Queen of Colorful Fashion Jewelry

Kendra Scott is celebrated for its fun, fashionable, and accessible jewelry that brings a pop of color to any outfit. The brand is known for its signature use of vibrant semi-precious gemstones, iconic shapes, and the popular Color Bar™, where customers can create their own custom pieces. It's a go-to for women seeking versatile, stylish accessories for everyday wear, special events, and gifting.

• Product mix: An extensive collection of fashion jewelry including earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings. They also offer a line of sterling silver and fine jewelry, but their core business is trendy, plated pieces.
• Price point: Highly accessible, with most items falling between $50 and $200. This pricing strategy makes it easy for customers to build a collection and experiment with new trends.
• Quality & Materials: Utilizes plated metals (14k Gold over Brass), sterling silver, and a variety of semi-precious and man-made stones. The quality is excellent for fashion jewelry designed for style rather than lifetime wear.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing is straightforward for everyday accessories. Many necklaces and bracelets are adjustable to ensure a comfortable fit for most wearers.
• Sales: Frequently runs sales and promotions, particularly around holidays, offering significant discounts that make the brand even more accessible.
• Shopping Experience: Offers a vibrant and engaging experience both online and in their retail stores. The customization feature is a major draw, allowing shoppers to feel like designers.

Kendra Scott is the perfect destination for fashion-forward shoppers who want trendy, high-quality accessories that are affordable enough to match any outfit or occasion.

Shop Kendra Scott: kendrascott.com

Brilliant Earth vs. Kendra Scott Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a vast price difference between the two brands, reflecting their distinct markets. A typical purchase at Kendra Scott might be an $80 Elisa necklace, perfect for a gift or a personal treat. In contrast, a purchase at Brilliant Earth is a significant investment, a one-carat diamond engagement ring will typically cost between $4,000 and $10,000.

Kendra Scott focuses on volume and accessibility with frequent sales events, making their products attainable for a wide audience. Brilliant Earth's pricing is stable, reflecting the intrinsic value of precious metals and gemstones. While they offer financing, the price point places them firmly in the luxury and special occasion category.

Quality & Materials

The materials define the purpose of each brand's jewelry. Brilliant Earth uses 18k recycled gold, platinum, and high-clarity diamonds (both natural and lab-created). These materials are chosen for their permanence and are intended to be passed down through generations. The craftsmanship is meticulous, focusing on secure settings and flawless finishes.

Kendra Scott uses high-quality plating over brass, genuine sterling silver, and an array of beautiful semi-precious stones like turquoise, drusy, and mother-of-pearl. While beautiful and well-made for their price point, these materials require more care and are not designed to withstand constant wear in the same way solid gold and diamonds are.

Style & Aesthetic

Brilliant Earth champions a classic, timeless, and elegant aesthetic. Their designs are often refined and minimalist, intended to highlight the beauty of the center stone. Their pieces are meant to transcend trends, looking as beautiful on a 50th wedding anniversary as they do on the wedding day.

Kendra Scott's aesthetic is vibrant, bold, and trend-driven. The brand is synonymous with color, eye-catching geometric shapes, and playful designs. Their collections are updated seasonally to reflect current fashion movements, making it easy for customers to keep their accessory game fresh and exciting.

Sustainability & Ethics

This is Brilliant Earth's biggest differentiator. Their entire business model is built around responsible practices, from providing detailed origin reports for their diamonds to using 100% recycled precious metals. They are a Certified B Corporation, meeting high standards of social and environmental performance.

Kendra Scott operates on the pillars of "Family, Fashion, and Philanthropy," and while the company engages in extensive community work, it doesn't prioritize ethical material sourcing as its core public message. They have responsible sourcing policies in place, but it isn’t the central story or guarantee that it is for Brilliant Earth.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to your reason for buying. Both brands are leaders in their respective fields, but they serve entirely different needs.

Choose Brilliant Earth if:

• You are shopping for an engagement ring, wedding band, or another major life milestone.
• Ethical sourcing, transparency, and sustainable practices are the most important factors in your decision.
• You are looking for an investment-grade, heirloom piece that will last a lifetime.
• Your style is classic, refined, and you prefer timeless designs over seasonal trends.

Choose Kendra Scott if:

• You need a stylish accessory for everyday wear, a party, or to match a specific outfit.
• You're looking for a fun, high-quality gift for a friend or family member that's under $200.
• You love colorful jewelry and enjoy experimenting with trends and personalizing your look.
• You want to build a large and versatile jewelry collection without a major financial investment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brilliant Earth or Kendra Scott more expensive?

Brilliant Earth is significantly more expensive. It is a fine jewelry company dealing in precious metals and diamonds, with prices in the thousands. Kendra Scott is a fashion jewelry brand with most items priced between $50 and $200.

Which brand is better for engagement rings?

Brilliant Earth is the definitive choice for engagement rings. It is their specialty, and they offer an enormous selection of high-quality, ethically sourced rings with extensive customization options that you won't find at Kendra Scott.

Does Kendra Scott jewelry tarnish?

Because most Kendra Scott jewelry is plated, it can tarnish over time if not cared for properly. It's recommended to avoid contact with water, lotions, and perfumes to extend the life of the plating. Their sterling silver and fine jewelry pieces are more resistant to tarnishing.

Is Brilliant Earth worth the money?

For shoppers who prioritize ethical sourcing, sustainability, and high-quality craftsmanship, Brilliant Earth is widely considered worth the investment. You are paying a premium not just for the materials, but for the guarantee of responsible and transparent business practices.

Is Brilliant Earth actually sustainable?

Yes, sustainability is at the core of their business model. They use recycled precious metals, Beyond Conflict Free™ Diamonds, and work to ensure their supply chain is transparent and ethical. They back up their claims with detailed reporting on their website.

Can you wear Kendra Scott jewelry every day?

Many people wear Kendra Scott pieces daily. However, to maintain the appearance of plated jewelry, it's best to remove it before sleeping, showering, or exercising. Sterling silver options are more suitable for continuous wear.

What is Kendra Scott famous for?

Kendra Scott is most famous for her iconic "Elisa" pendant necklace, her use of drusy and other colorful semi-precious stones, and her innovative Color Bar™, which allows customers to create custom jewelry pieces in-store and online.

Where can you buy Brilliant Earth and Kendra Scott?

Brilliant Earth primarily sells through its website, brilliantearth.com, and has a growing number of physical showrooms in major cities for personalized appointments. Kendra Scott has a much broader retail footprint, with numerous standalone stores across the country, a robust e-commerce site, and placement in department stores like Nordstrom.