15 Best Minimalist Jewelry Brands to Wear in 2023

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Shop enduring staples from Kinn, Agmes, Lié Studio, and other designers

Just as with our favorite minimalist clothing brands, a list of the best minimalist jewelry staples will vary depending on who you ask. But the essence remains the same: Every wardrobe should retain a roster of day-to-day jewelry, whether that means pared-back daily hoops or sculptural rings with an architectural edge. Gold or silver, pearl-embellished or glossy, the best minimalist jewelry brands are the ones that craft pieces that feel effortless, timeless, and subtly unique.

Founded in 2017 by CEO Jennie Yoon, Kinn sets out to make pieces that last—minimalist, but not monotonous, jewelry essentials meant to serve as a second skin. According to Yoon, the appeal of vintage-inspired, heirloom pieces like Kinn’s tends to spike when the economy is uncertain. “Vintage offers a sense of nostalgia that can connect you to a certain era,” she explained to Bazaar. “Nowadays, customers have endless options for shopping. High quality is the minimum standard when selling products. On top of that, customers are now able to cut through the noise and see that gold and diamonds are an investment, not just trend pieces, so they’re looking for pieces to wear every day that will last for years to come.”

Minimalist jewelry embodies this concept. These straightforward yet refined pieces require little to no effort when styling, can still make a declaration without looking too brash, and are ideal for routine wear. Think: your go-to white T-shirt, but better.

The sampling below of minimalist jewelry brands offers a variety of approaches to a less-is-more ethos—from Kinn’s arsenal of elegant staples to Agmes’s lineup of sculptural forms. Shop the 15 best minimal jewelry brands ahead.

“Kinn is a fine jewelry brand inspired by vintage family heirlooms. Modern yet timeless, each piece we design is made with recycled 14-karat solid gold and made to last a lifetime,” Yoon said.

As for what pieces to collect first? “The Dare to Love dome ring is and always has been a staple building block,” the founder suggested. “It’s thick enough to be worn alone or layered. The soft curve on the design allows it to be timeless and elegant for many years to come.” She added that many of Kinn’s pieces are designed to stack on top of the ring, like the staple Carter flat herringbone chain and the Serena II tennis bracelet.

Influenced by the cultivated minimalism of 1970s modernism, tubular chokers, egg-shaped pendant necklaces in solid sterling silver, and freshwater pearls define the masterfully handcrafted brand that is Sophie Buhai. Based in Los Angeles, this brand focuses on timeless, handcrafted, and locally produced jewelry that could be passed down to the next generation.

Agmes has a unique approach to sustainability: Each piece is made to withstand trends and last for generations, and the brand has made sure that ethos is adhered to at every step of the design process. Every design is produced locally in New York with a team of artisans, which not only reduces carbon footprint but also supports and drives the local economy.

As for the aesthetic, art and architecture are unremitting inspirations for Agmes. Pulling from both the constructed environment and the natural world, you’ll discover sterling silver and gold vermeil, baroque pearl embellishments, and necklaces with playful details. We’re particularly fond of their latest Symbols of Love collection.

Established in late 2021, Lié Studio is a Copenhagen, Denmark–based brand formed by twin sisters Amalie and Cecilie Moosgaard—two fashion icons you’ve probably followed and bookmarked on social media. With years of experience in the fashion industry, the sisters saw a need for elevated jewelry that would cater to the busy woman’s day-to-day uniform. The collections mirror the designers’ vision of creating minimalist pieces to wear time and time again.

Just because a brand is minimalist in design, that doesn’t mean it’ll look cookie-cutter or feel ordinary. Case in point: Completedworks. Anna Jewsbury founded the celebrity- and editor-favorite jewelry brand to translate her interest in history and politics into wearable art. From scrunch earrings to crumbled gold rings, each piece gives a nod to architectural ruins and ceramic sculptures. (Editor’s note: The brand’s High Summer Capsule in collaboration with MatchesFashion should be browsed ASAP.)

Jennifer Fisher has been a mainstay in every fashion lover’s wardrobe for a while now, and for good reason. The eponymous brand was launched to celebrate the birth of Fisher’s son and is brimming with sleek, sculptural shapes in the form of gold-plated bangles, chunky hoop earrings, silver rings, and more.

Matthew Harris of Mateo was born and raised in Montego Bay, Jamaica, with a drive to enter fashion rooted in the example of his seamstress mother. The self-taught designer launched Mateo in 2009, with the women’s jewelry arriving shortly after the success of men’s. Now, simplicity and minimalism are at the forefront of Mateo’s designs, with pieces inspired by modern art.

It’s hard to miss Laura Lombardi’s designs. They always stand out, with twisted brass hoops and heavy statement chains that can be worn in excess or separately. Best yet, the pieces are affordably priced and assembled mainly from recycled raw materials—ideal for anyone beginning a minimalist jewelry collection.

Danish-Irish designer Maria Black’s eponymous line has been expertly producing foundational minimalist pieces for a decade. From modern rings to timeless chain necklaces, Black’s signature designs include fine and fashion pieces that can be layered together or worn by themselves, with just a simple jeans and T-shirt.

Jenny Bird’s sleek yet playful designs are a favorite among fashion editors—each piece makes a soft statement without being overpowering. Over the past decade, the brand’s intent has stayed the same: to create lightweight statement pieces and deliver on trends through high-quality, seasonless designs.

Monica Vinader is on a mission to change the way people shop for jewelry by creating captivating, high-quality pieces you can buy for yourself and wear every day—the truest sustainable practice. Pieces range from mother-of-pearl charm earrings to chunky rings and classic hoop earrings.

Miansai was founded in 2008 by the innovative Michael Saiger, who initially set out to design inspired, understated men’s jewelry. For anyone looking to enhance their current collection, each of Saiger’s pieces uses the finest quality materials, including French calf and Italian leathers, pure precious metals, and custom-made U.S. military–grade rope.

Ben-Amun founder Isaac Manevitz was born in Egypt. The jewelry collection’s name combines those of his oldest son and the ancient Egyptian pharoh Tutankhamun—and the pieces could have been worn by Egyptian royalty. The CFDA member brings an edgy, sophisticated spin to classic vintage-inspired designs with his line of chunky, gold-toned jewelry, all handmade in New York.

Emili was founded in 2018 by Tokyo- and Seoul-based Emily Stefani Lee. Each collection delivers high-end, refined fashion with modern and fun twists—elements every style enthusiast craves in a jewelry brand. Lee fills a niche in the industry by creating clean, cool pieces that are still accessibly priced, thanks to her focus on producing locally while using materials like sterling silver and 14k gold plating.

Loren Stewart founders Rachel Loren, Satya Stewart, and Annah Stewart-Zafrani share beginnings in upcycling vintage jewelry, so you can expect them to know their materials well. The three of them work with talented local artisans to create wax and metal castings, producing delicate earrings, necklaces, and rings with stone settings. You’ll find signet rings, slender hoop silhouettes, and polished necklaces throughout their collections.

Cortne Bonilla is a fashion contributor for Bazaar.com as well as a freelance beauty, wellness, culture, and news writer for sites like Sunday Riley, Allure Magazine, Revolt TV and more. When she's not attached to her MacBook, you can find her browsing through Soho, face timing her mom, head-banging to heavy metal, applying layers of clear lip gloss, and oversharing on Twitter.

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