Are you ready to invest in quality jewelry? Buying real gold necklaces or rings with precious stones might not be a priority if you’re still building your wardrobe. Not everyone wants to spend hundreds of dollars on accessories.
Switch Designer Jewelry gives you access to some of the best-quality jewelry in the industry for just $45 a month. This rental service lets switch out rentals as often as you want, and there are hundreds of pieces to choose from.
This month, I selected the Infernal Storm Necklace from a new-to-me brand, Alighieri. The pendant is subtle but adds something extra to almost any outfit. I liked wearing a quality piece and learning more about a new jewelry brand. If you’re looking for a way to experiment with accessories, Switch is the way to go.
How Switch Designer Jewelry Works
The Switch rental service specializes in high-end jewelry from a wide range of designers. Some of them are household names like Chanel and Gucci, but they also have up-and-coming designers for rent.
The site has plenty of search filters. They separate their items into four categories: vintage, fine, statement, and fashion. Fine jewelry is made of precious metals and stones, and the other categories are self-explanatory.
Aside from jewelry, they also have a few belts, brooches, barrettes, and cufflinks.
They put a temporary hold of up to $500 on your payment method. This is not a charge but a way to make sure your account has sufficient funds before becoming a member. I think this is a fair way to screen members, but keep it in mind when you sign up!
Membership Plans
Their standard Gold membership plan is $45 a month, less than most clothing rental services. With this membership, you can borrow one item at a time and you rack up $5 in credit per month.
They have a Black membership option for $95 a month that allows for 3 rental items at a time. You earn $10 in credit per month with this plan.
You can return items individually, which is a major feature. For example, you might have a necklace you want to wear for a month, but you can still switch out the other pieces you’ve rented.
They’re also going to add another rental plan for handbags with an average value of $4000. This plan will cost $195 a month.
What We Like About Switch Designer Jewelry
Switch comes with some great reusable packaging. The mailer they sent will be the same one I use to mail items back to them. The jewelry itself comes in a sleek reusable box and cloth bag.
This service offers truly high-end items from brands like Versace, Chanel, and Hermès. There’s a nice balance between ritzy, showy items and pieces that add subtle bling to your outfit.
The company cleans and sanitizes accessories between wears, using their expert knowledge to clean items without wearing them down.
Your membership covers wear and tear like broken chains or clasps, dings in metal, and lost rhinestones or beads. They do charge for major damage, but they let you keep the piece in that situation.
I love that they allow you to accumulate credit over time. Long-term subscribers get rewarded and can purchase an item they’ve fallen in love with.
Overall, I think this service gives you a lot of bang for your buck. It’s a great deal for anyone who wants to elevate their style and learn more about accessorizing.
What We Don’t Like About Switch Designer Jewelry
Switch pieces range in value from around $100 to $2500. If you’re wearing a pricer piece, you might feel very conscious of the thousands of dollars hanging from your neck or on your wrist.
Here’s an excerpt from their FAQ page about what happens if you lose a piece:
“If a piece is lost, stolen, or excessively damaged, you’re charged the member price, which is usually much less than the normal retail price, and we apply your earned purchase credit towards it too.”
I absolutely understand why they have to charge for lost pieces. I think it would be great if they added some kind of insurance policy subscribers can opt in for, though. That way, if you’re nervous about losing an item or having it stolen, you have some kind of coverage.
Maybe this kind of insurance policy would get overly complicated, especially considering the affordable prices Switch offers. But if they could make it work, I’d feel a lot more at ease about renting the more expensive items.
I noticed that some items are available cheaper elsewhere. The item that I rented was noticeably cheaper through Switch, though, so it varies. If you plan to buy instead of rent, shop around like you would with any other purchase.
About Alighieri
Alighieri is a small London-based jewelry brand named after Dante Alighieri. It was founded in 2014 and since then has earned a cult following and attention from celebrities. They call their jewelry modern heirlooms, and many of the pieces have vintage flair even when new. Their website also mentions how they ethically source materials and have items made locally in the UK.
My Switch package came in a nondescript reusable Fedex mailer. Inside was an elegant little reusable box that held the jewelry and a few promotional materials.
The cards inside had inspirational quotes and a list of tips on how to get the most of your membership and keep the jewelry in good condition. Most notably, they say to avoid working out or wearing your jewelry in water, like when swimming or showering. Aside from that, they’ll handle the care and cleaning of the accessories.
The item itself came in a cloth jewelry bag.
The Infernal Storm Necklace by Alighieri
This is the Infernal Storm pendant. It’s cast in bronze and plated with 24k gold, giving it a luxurious look and feel. It has a nice heft that lets you know it’s not just gold-toned nickel or something. It measures about 2 cm in either direction and comes on a 19-inch chain.
I like the slightly distorted, weathered images on either side. I didn’t realize it was modeled on foreign currency at first, but when I looked closer, I noticed the “Ceylon” printed at the top. The territory is known as Sri Lanka now, but it was a British royal colony until 1948, hence the crown on the other side. I don’t know the full story behind how this piece was designed, but it definitely feels like a little piece of history.
This piece is sold out on the company website, which lists the price at $345. Switch lists it at $260, with a member price of $250.
Final Thoughts
Switch Designer Jewelry is an affordable subscription that gets you access to quality jewelry for $45 a month. They have a small accessory selection, but their main focus is necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings.
I highly recommend Switch to anyone who wants to experiment with quality accessories. It can be hard to know where to start if you’ve never made a big jewelry purchase. Switch is a great way to try things out and find what works for you.
If you’re passionate about jewelry, you’ll find pieces you’ve admired from afar. If you don’t have a jewelry collection yet, you can use this service to elevate your outfits and impress the people in your life.
