You want to build that collection of gold jewelry for everyday wear, those stackable rings, layered necklaces, and perfect hoops. But you need pieces that hit the sweet spot, existing somewhere between fast-fashion trinkets that turn green in a week and the kind of investment-banking-bonus fine jewelry that feels too precious to actually wear.
Your feed is dominated by two brands that seem to solve this exact problem: Mejuri and Gorjana. They both look great online, but the options are overwhelming. Is Mejuri's "demi-fine" claim legitimate, or just great marketing? Is Gorjana's "California cool" aesthetic built to last, or will it tarnish in a month?
We're putting Mejuri and Gorjana head-to-head on the only things that matter: material quality, long-term durability, signature aesthetic, and true cost-per-wear. By the end of this article, you'll know exactly which brand deserves your investment.
Mejuri is the urban, trend-aware minimalist focused on demi-fine quality and traceability. Gorjana is the accessible, "California cool" brand built for effortless, bohemian layering.
Mejuri feels like an art director's Instagram feed. It’s modern, structural, and built on the idea of "fine jewelry for every day." The branding focuses on self-gifting, female empowerment, and material transparency, feeling more exclusive and editorial. This is for the person who follows fashion trends, invests in their wardrobe, and wants a signature piece, like their Croissant Dôme hoops, that they can wear for years.
Gorjana, in contrast, feels like a sunny day in Laguna Beach. It’s delicate, accessible, and designed for easy stacking and layering. The marketing focuses on a relaxed, positive, and gift-friendly "live, love, layer" mentality, making the brand feel more like a friendly neighborhood boutique. It’s perfect for the person who wants a wide variety of delicate chains, gemstone bracelets, and everyday charms without a huge financial commitment.
Mejuri’s collection is tightly curated around modern, structural staples, while Gorjana offers a much broader, more bohemian catalog built for mixing and matching.
Mejuri’s focus is on those structural, bold, and minimalist pieces. Their must-haves are icons for a reason: the Croissant Dôme Hoops, the Bold Herringbone Chain, and their solid 14k gold stacking rings. The variety is intentionally focused. They excel at hoops, simple chains, and modern signet rings, and their collaborations are always curated and trend-driven.
Gorjana’s heroes are delicate, textured, and layer-ready. You'll recognize the Parker Layering Set, their signature paperclip chain, the colorful "Power Gem" bracelets, and delicate coin necklaces. The variety here is far wider; you'll find countless small charms, anklets, and pre-layered sets. This is the spot for affordable, giftable items.
This is the most critical difference between the two brands. Mejuri's baseline quality is gold vermeil, a regulated standard of thick gold over sterling silver. Gorjana's baseline quality is gold-plated brass, which is less durable and far more likely to tarnish.
Mejuri's standard "demi-fine" offering is gold vermeil. By law, this must be at least 2.5 microns of 18k gold over a solid 92.5% sterling silver base. This is excellent for longevity and for sensitive skin, as silver is a high-quality, non-reactive metal. They also offer a "fine" collection of solid 14k gold built to last a lifetime, alongside pieces in titanium and sterling silver, all with a focus on sustainable and traceable sourcing.
Gorjana's standard collection, and what most of their popular pieces are made of, is gold-plated brass. The gold layer here is much thinner, often 0.5 to 1 micron, over a brass base. This layer will eventually wear off with friction and exposure to moisture. The underlying brass can then react with your skin's oils and turn it green. While Gorjana does offer vermeil and 14k gold collections, it’s a much smaller part of their business and not what they are known for; you have to actively search for it.
For everyday wear, especially for pieces you never take off, Mejuri's gold vermeil baseline is fundamentally a better, more durable product.
Gorjana is significantly cheaper upfront, making it ideal for trying a trend. Mejuri costs more initially but offers exponentially better long-term value, winning on cost-per-wear.
Gorjana is very accessible. You can get a popular plated layering necklace for $60-$80, making it one of the more affordable non-fast fashion brands for accessories. The value here is getting the look for less. This is the perfect choice if you want to test-drive the paperclip chain trend for a season.
Mejuri's entry point is higher. A comparable gold vermeil necklace will start around $98 and go up to $200, with solid gold pieces starting at $150+ for simple items. Here, you are paying for the superior materials—the sterling silver base and the thicker layer of gold.
Your choice comes down to priority: Are you shopping for a trend or building an archive?
You should choose Mejuri if you are building a "forever" capsule jewelry collection. It's the right choice if you have sensitive skin and need a sterling silver or solid gold base, or if you value long-term cost-per-wear. If your style is more minimalist and structural, pairing perfectly with a Reformation slip dress, Mejuri is your match. You want pieces you can shower and sleep in (their solid 14k gold line), and you'll find great alternatives in our full list of brands like Mejuri.
You should choose Gorjana if you want to try a new trend, like colorful gems or charms, without a big commitment. It's the right choice if you need a wide variety of affordable, giftable options under $75. If your style is more bohemian, delicate, and "California casual," or if you are very careful with your jewelry and don't mind that plated pieces have a shorter lifespan, Gorjana is for you.
Both Mejuri and Gorjana have successfully captured the "everyday jewelry" market, but they serve two very different customers. Gorjana makes the look of a layered, trendy jewelry collection accessible to everyone. Mejuri makes the quality of a demi-fine, lasting collection accessible.
Before you buy, audit your own jewelry box. Are you missing foundational, high-quality hoops and chains? Start with Mejuri. Are you just looking for fun, seasonal pieces to add sparkle? Browse Gorjana.
