GI RL ON A BUDGET

All that glisters is not gold, but these purse-friendly lookalikes should be on your radar

For some, news of Black ck Friday sales means a cosy new coat, smart knee-high boots or wisely y ticking off your Christmas s shopping list.

For me – previously described by a family member as a magpie meets ts Jennifer Lopez – it means s that for a limited time only, ly, a range of gold nicely falls into to my budget.

OK, not actual gold, (the he sales are great this year, but bu ut not that great), but it’s the e best time to plump for an elevated version of a piece e you already love.

Years ago, when the rise e of demi-fine jewellery began, n, the sweet spot price point t (then around £350) was bandied around, but for a spot of self-gifting I found it was still way out of reach.

However, the £75 sweet spot is on the rise, and the brands that nail it are just as much about quality and unique design as the demi-fine bunch.

Of course, this lower price ce point means it’s all goldplated (typically silver or brass) or vermeil (a thicker, r,

For stocking fillers or self-gifting, set the frankincense and myrrh aside

higher-quality plating), but it shouldn’t be sniffed at.

While it’s not advised by jewellery buffs, I wear all of my plated pieces 24/7, and haven’t had a green ear or wrist with any of these brands, so they come highly recommended.

For rings, Daphine and Mejuri remain unbeaten, and both offer classic-witha-twist pieces. Daphine’s are vintage-esque (I wear two on rotation), and the brand has a three-year guarantee on its plating.

My gold earrings collection (mostly Missoma and Astrid & Miyu) has served me well on Zoom. The former is excellent if you’re after a larger or statement hoop, while Astrid & Miyu can be relied on for pretty stacking huggies and studs. Being a minimalist, there’s no chance of me popping up in a video call wearing a pussybow or brightly striped knit, so gold earrings have been the answer to top-half dressing.

Wrist-wise, I love the look of a slim gold bracelet against my chunky silver watch, and PD Paola comes up trumps for luxe-looking options. The brand was one of my favourite discoveries early last year, and I haven’t taken off my tennis bracelet since I got it.

Seol Gold is another great find. I stumbled upon the brand on Etsy years ago and ordered a pair of studs on a whim. Two gold bangles and several pairs of hoops later and I can attest to its excellent plating quality.

If you’re on the hunt for a stocking filler for the stylish person in your life, or indulging in some self-gifting, gold is the way to go – just set the frankincense and myrrh aside.