Chain and Pearl BraceletClick here for product page
Item 14709
Regular: $70.00
Pearl and Chain Necklace
Click here for product page
Item 14505
Regular: $55.00
"Thank you!" to Smarty who shared with us her great review of the Pearl & Chain Necklace + Bracelet (plus several real-life images). How lovely is the set!!! :)
I ordered these two items last week, as I am trying to add to my wardrobe with accessories, rather than buying more clothing. I've seen many JCAs wear jewelry and it really adds polish to an outfit, so I'm trying to follow their lead. Thanks to JCAs, I've found many great costume pieces at Forever 21, Nordstrom BP, and, of course, JCrew. Sometimes the JC jewelry prices keep me from ordering things full price, but the pearl and chain pieces really caught my eye and I knew I would get a lot of wear out of them.
Mr. UPS brought my JCrew package today and, as always, I was excited to open it! Thankfully, everything was in the box that was supposed to be :) I opened the pearl and chain bracelet first and...was disappointed. Immediately, I thought it looked cheap, like it really did come from Forever 21 or the like. Perhaps it is the brightness of the gold that gives the impression of "cheap", but whatever the reason, it looked cheaper than other JC jewelry I have bought. Despite my initial impression, I love the style, so I tried it on. Happily, the size is perfect this season! This is the first JCrew bracelet I have been able to even consider keeping. My PS mentioned that they had changed the bracelet sizing this season and I am happy to report that it is true.Overall, I like the weight of the bracelet (it feels solid), the size of the bracelet and the style. I do not like the color of the gold which, as I mentioned, I think cheapens the look. Sadly, my bracelet is defective and does not lay flat, so it has to go back, regardless of how much I do or do not like it (see pictures). Because of the style and fit, I will likely purchase this on sale, but because of the color, I will not reorder a replacement at full price.
I was much happier when I opened the pearl and chain necklace. The chain is delicate and contrasts nicely with the large glass pearls. I think this necklace will be a great layering piece and I know I will get a lot of use out of it. I also liked the price! At $55.00, I felt like it was already on "sale" (as compared to previous JCrew prices) and a good buy. I don't love the necklace doubled-up as a short necklace, but I think I will get enough use out of it as a long necklace that it won't matter. Overall, I love this necklace and will be keeping it! "Thanks!" again to Smarty for her great review!
What are your thoughts on the Pearl & Chain Necklace and Bracelet? Are you considering or already have purchased either of these items? Have you seen them in person? If so, please share with us your reviews too! :)
the necklace looks great! i just got the pearl cluster bracelet and absolutely adore it! so glad i purchased it and can't wait to wear it on valentine's day with my rosette tee! :)
ReplyDeleteI kind of like it doubled up more than long, either way it does look great!
ReplyDeleteI agree, the necklace is stunning. I'm not a huge fan of the bracelet, but its difficult for me to pull a larger bracelet off.
ReplyDeleteOT but related, I posted some IRL pictures of a couple of necklaces and the cluster ring. I know it always helps me to see things IRL.
The necklace looks great on you, Smarty! I love it both long and doubled up. Thanks for the great review. :)
ReplyDeleteI think the necklace is great. The bracelet looks pretty also. I have a few JC necklaces that don't look too bright. Your necklace reminds me of the another necklace that comes in three color selections. Your pics sealed the deal on pulling the trigger.
ReplyDeleteI like the long necklace doubled up. Not really digging the bracelet. Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments...the pearl necklace doubled up is definitely growing on me!
ReplyDeleteAlso, my apologies for the grammar errors in the review - I wrote it late night, after a glass of wine! :)
Thanks for the review Smarty! I especially like the necklace. I like the bracelet too but agree that it does resemble something at f21 and the like.
ReplyDeleteI don't wear necklaces. Not at all practical for a stay at home mom with children. Grabby fingers! I wear rings and bracelets a lot but the real thing. JCrew jewelry looks cheap in my opinion. And the review of the bracelet just reinforces that fact. There are so many better options for the price out there or JCRew needs to up the "cheap" factor of their jewelry.
ReplyDeletesmarty - I am a fan of your review and the necklace (esp doubled). Not so much on the bracelet.
ReplyDeleteThe jewlery is pretty. I don't quite think $55 for fake pearls is a steal. I would be more inclined to pay half that...
ReplyDeleteI'll look for the Target version.
:D
Thanks for the fantastic review Smarty! The necklace looks beautiful on you both ways...congratulations on your purhcase! :)
ReplyDelete*jewelry* Gah, I can't spell today..sorry..I don't even have wine as an excuse! lol
ReplyDeletesmarty: I like the necklace on you.
ReplyDeletethe necklace is definitely a keeper. looks great! i agree, the bracelet, not so much.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the IRL photos and review smarty.
ReplyDeleteLOL at the grammar errors. At least that's your only error...when I have wine I make no sense at all.
ReplyDeleteI do like the necklace a lot. But I was thinking of getting the other, cheaper ones first. I forget what the name is but a bunch of them were introduced for spring at around $35 each.
ITA, accessories really 'finish' the outfit & add polish. I find lots of great stuff at Nordies BP too. I have a pearl/gold chain I got years years ago that is really similar and versatile. Kinda Chanel.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone tried the Dainty beaded layering necklaces? I saw them in store and thought they looked amazing, but as the name suggests they do seem very dainty. I feel like if I was wearing it and my hand fell through then the whole thing would come apart with beads all over the floor. Kind of sad and embarassing lol. I want to get them because they look so pretty..any thoughts?
ReplyDeleteGwen: I agree with you, $55 is definitely not a steal. I guess what I meant to say was that it *felt* like a steal, compared to previous JC prices. That said, I did decide to buy some supplies and I'm going to try to re-create the necklace on my own. If it works, it will have cost me less than $5. I figure that would be $50 to spend on something else :) I'll report back on my DIY necklace!
ReplyDeleteThe necklace is pretty but I prefer the real version which is not as expensive as you might think and will last for years and always look wonderful. You can get 14kt gold with an 18" chain and round freshwater pearls for less than $80.
ReplyDeleteThe bracelet looks cheap.
I bought the dainty beaded layering necklace with the aqua balls on it yesterday. It's super cute! I have been wanting to dive into the world of long necklaces for a while (I only have 1 or 2 now- not JCREW) after looking at FFM posts.
ReplyDeleteThe dainty beaded layering necklace is light and dainty but it doesn't seem to me like it would easily fall apart. I like the aqua because against some colors it almost looks grey. I also saw a square version in the store (it had square beads instead of round) which was very cute.
Argh. I cannot stand cheap-y looking gold. That sucks! And for that price it shouldn't be cheap-y looking.
ReplyDeleteLaura, I saw your IRL pics. I have to disagree with you on the cluster ring - I think it looks really nice on your hand!!
Honestly, I think their jewelry is cheap looking too. It's far more expensive than comparable things at Macys, for example. For $55, you can buy the real thing at Macys, whereas the J Crew version is fake.
ReplyDeleteI like the necklace and I have one very similar to it.
ReplyDeleteFor J. Crew prices that necklace is pretty cheap but compared to someting that you could pick up at Macy's it is seems a bit pricey.
I still think that it is worth it b/c it looks like a piece that you will get a lot of wear out of.
The bracelet I am not so much a fan of but I am glad to know that your PS told you that the lengths have been changed.
I think that cluster ring looks goofy IRL and seriously would have to contain my laughter if I saw someone wearing it.
ReplyDeleteIf you love it, wear it and enjoy. I would just feel ridiculous.
Thanks for the reviews smarty! The necklace looks great on you. I never realized before reading your review that almost all of JC "pearl" pieces are glass or plastic and not pearl at all. Now I am definitely going to try DIY instead. Good luck on your project!
ReplyDeleteI saw a bracelet at White House Black Market that looks very similar to the J. Crew bracelet only it is in silver for those people who don't like the gold look. It was only $29.99.
ReplyDeleteI posted a pic on my blog:
http://champagne-and-cupcakes.blogspot.com/
Also the link for White HOuse Black Market:
http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/browse/product.jsp?maxRec=180&pageId=1&viewAll=true&productId=300112360&prd=Glass-Pearl+Chunky+Chain+Bracelet&subCatId=&color=&inSeam=&posId=146&catId=&cat=Sale&onSale=true&colorFamily=&maxPg=1&size=
Emily,
ReplyDeleteGreat find! That's a really good alternative. And I definitely live silver more than gold when it comes to fun costume pieces because cheap gold really does look cheap.
Paper Bag Princess - Thanks for the comment on the ring! I think I am just weird about my hands!
ReplyDeleteso i didn't read everything and maybe someone already said this, but i think going with a few accessories is a great way to freshen up the wardrobe, instead of with new clothes! i really like the necklace both long and doubled up, and while i'm not personally nuts about the bracelet, i am also stricken with jealousy whenever my friends and colleagues wear bracelets - i think it's like lipstick, i just can't pull it off myself.
ReplyDeleteI use the J Crew catalog as inspiration, especially for jewelry. We have an outlet that has great jewelry at steal prices
ReplyDelete($1.99 to $9.99 or so). I just look at the catalog, then go find it at the outlet. Lots of extremely similar styles.
Thanks Smarty for the reviews! Pearl necklace doubled up plus one here please. What appeals me the most about this piece is the versatility.
ReplyDeleteAlso thanks Emily for posting the WHBM bracelet. I saw it in person and liked the relatively low-key look!
DSW Filene's Basement in NY also has a regular selection of pearl jewelry at great prices, from earrings, necklaces to bracelets. They do not have the cluster style but do have a few long chain ones as of last week.
Hi
ReplyDeleteI'm new to all blogging. Please bear with me.
I was surprised and am confused that the "pearls" are consider costume, ie glass or plastic. The website, for most pieces, lists them as freshwater.
Love your ideas and your wonderful spirit of cooperation.