If you‘re on the hunt for high-quality, stylish jewelry, chances are you‘ve come across Jaxxon and GLD (Gold Chains LA). These two popular brands have taken the men‘s and women‘s jewelry world by storm in recent years with their premium designs, accessible prices, and celebrity endorsements. But how do they really stack up against each other?
In this comprehensive Jaxxon vs GLD review, we‘ll take a deep dive into what sets these brands apart, from their product lines and materials to customer feedback and shopping experience. By the end, you‘ll have all the information you need to decide which brand best suits your personal style and needs. Let‘s jump in!
About Jaxxon Jewelry
Founded in 2018 by husband and wife duo Josh and Julia Deemer along with partner Josh Pierce, LA-based Jaxxon has quickly become a go-to brand for well-crafted, modern jewelry pieces. The idea for Jaxxon was born out of the founders‘ frustration with the lack of high-quality, fairly priced options on the market.
Jaxxon specializes in men‘s jewelry like chains, bracelets, and pendants, with a smaller selection of women‘s pieces. The brand is known for its premium materials, attention to detail, and ethical sourcing practices. All of Jaxxon‘s gold jewelry uses solid 14K gold or a thick layer of 14K gold bonding over 925 sterling silver for durability.
One thing that really sets Jaxxon apart is its commitment to craftsmanship. The brand works with expert artisans in Italy who have been perfecting their techniques for generations. Jaxxon also stands behind its products with a lifetime warranty and great customer service.
About GLD
GLD, short for Gold Chains LA, is another rising star in the jewelry game. Launched in 2015 by Christian Johnson out of his basement in Pittsburgh, GLD started as a creative outlet combining Johnson‘s love of art, hip hop culture, and fashion. The brand has since relocated to a big facility in Miami to keep up with demand.
GLD is best known for its bold, streetwear-inspired designs favored by celebrity clients like Wiz Khalifa, Drake, and Justin Bieber. The brand covers a wide range of men‘s and women‘s jewelry in 14K solid gold, gold vermeil, and gold plated options.
GLD puts a big emphasis on standing out from the crowd. The brand frequently collaborates with music artists and licenses designs from big names like the MLB, NBA, Disney and Marvel. This variety and pop culture element is a big draw for many customers.
While GLD doesn‘t provide as many specifics about its manufacturing process, the brand states that it uses top quality materials and offers a lifetime guarantee on its solid gold, gold vermeil, and gold plated pieces. GLD‘s affordable prices and frequent sales are another key selling point.
Popular Products Face-Off
To get a sense of how Jaxxon and GLD compare in terms of quality and design, let‘s take a closer look at some of their best-selling pieces in a few key categories:
Cuban Link Chains
Cuban link is one of the most iconic and popular chain styles for both men and women. Jaxxon and GLD each put their own spin on this classic.
Jaxxon‘s 5mm 14K Gold Cuban Link Chain is a fan favorite, with a 4.9 average rating from over 3,500 reviews. Handcrafted in Italy, this chain uses a solid sterling silver base with a thick layer of 14K gold bonding (3-5x thicker than the industry standard). It comes in 16-30" lengths and has a nice weight to it. At $160-$188 for gold bonded (originally $238-$288) or $3,120-$3,800 for solid gold, this chain offers great quality for the price.
GLD‘s 5mm Miami Cuban Link Chain is another hit. It comes in 18K gold plated (over sterling silver) and 10K or 14K solid gold, with lengths from 18-30". The gold plated version is very affordable at $120-$140 and still feels substantial, though it may not last quite as long as Jaxxon‘s gold bonded plating. GLD‘s solid gold Cuban chains are pricier at $1,200-$7,000+, but are heirloom quality. Overall, GLD provides more variety in terms of gold purity.
Tennis Chains
Tennis chains, aka diamond cut chains, are elegant and eye-catching thanks to their brilliant sparkle. Both brands offer several takes on this trendy style.
The Jaxxon 3mm 14K Gold Tennis Chain features a tight pattern of flat, diamond-shaped links with a 14K gold bonded finish. Crafted from 925 sterling silver and measuring 2.5-3mm wide, it‘s available in 16-24" lengths and is priced very reasonably at just $100-$115 (down from $150+). Over 1,000 reviewers rave about the shine and how expensive it looks.
For a chunkier tennis chain, Jaxxon‘s 5mm width is a solid choice at $132-$160. The brand also has iced out tennis chains and bracelets set with lab diamonds if you want extra bling.
GLD offers a popular Iced Prong Tennis Chain & Bracelet collection. Compared to Jaxxon‘s diamond cut chains, these have a rounder shape and larger simulated stones. The cubic zirconia version comes gold plated at $89-$92 or in solid 10K/14K gold for $2,500-$5,200. You can also spring for the VVS lab diamond edition in 10K or 14K gold ($4,900-$28,000).
For a classic tennis chain minus the diamonds, GLD‘s 3mm Vermeil Skinny Tennis Chain is sleeker and lighter weight than Jaxxon‘s at 1.3mm thick. It costs a bit less too at $79-$89. Note that gold vermeil isn‘t as thick or durable as gold bonding though.
Across the board, Jaxxon‘s tennis chains offer better value with the 14K gold bonding, especially with the current sale prices. However, GLD‘s iced out options are great if you want the diamond look for less.
Rope Chains
Rope chains are another versatile, goes-with-everything pick. Jaxxon and GLD both deliver with high-quality options in varying thicknesses.
Jaxxon‘s 2.5mm and 3mm Rope Chains ($60-$100) are customer favorites for their polished finish and comfortable lightweight feel. Again, you can choose between sterling silver or 14K gold bonded at 16-28" lengths. The 4mm width ($126-$140) offers a more substantial look that‘s still very wearable.
GLD has a wider assortment of rope chain necklaces and bracelets in 18K gold plated, 14K gold vermeil, and solid 10K/14K gold at 2mm-12mm widths. A unique option is the 2.5mm Diamond Cut Rope Chain ($79) which has a textured finish to catch the light. For solid gold, prices start at $350 for a 16" 2.5mm 10K chain and go up to $8,000+ for the 12mm width.
All in all, both brands have great basic rope chains, but Jaxxon is the better bet for a durable everyday piece. GLD is the winner if you want a more ornate style or real solid gold.
Quality & Craftsmanship
When you‘re dropping hundreds or even thousands on a piece of jewelry, you want to know it will hold up over time. Luckily, both Jaxxon and GLD deliver premium quality – with some key differences.
Jaxxon prides itself on its high standards for materials and manufacturing. All of its chains and bracelets are handmade in Italy by experienced artisans. For gold pieces, Jaxxon uses either 14K solid gold or a thick layer of gold bonding over sterling silver.
Gold bonding is more durable than typical gold plating since it‘s applied in 3-5 layers that are 3-5x thicker. Plus, Jaxxon uses 14K gold rather than 18K/24K, which is less prone to wear. The sterling silver base further adds to longevity. Many reviewers say their Jaxxon pieces still look new after months or years of regular wear.
GLD also states that it uses "the best of the best" materials. Its solid gold pieces are 10K or 14K, so they should be very long-lasting and tarnish-resistant. The gold vermeil and gold plated jewelry is also higher quality than many competitors, but may eventually show wear after a few years depending on use.
Some GLD reviews mention chipping or the color rubbing off over time. That‘s not uncommon for plated pieces, but is something to consider. The brand does have a lifetime guarantee though, so you‘re covered if any manufacturing defects pop up.
One thing to note is that Jaxxon provides more detailed information about its sourcing and production than GLD. This transparency is great for discerning shoppers who care about quality control and ethical practices.
Price & Value
Jaxxon and GLD are pretty comparable when it comes to pricing, especially for their gold bonded/plated and vermeil pieces. Both brands aim to offer accessible luxury.
That said, there are some notable differences. Jaxxon‘s gold bonded chains are a bit pricier than GLD‘s gold plated ones, but you‘re getting better durability with the thicker plating. If you want something more budget-friendly for a trendy piece, GLD is a good choice.
On the flip side, GLD‘s solid gold is typically less expensive than Jaxxon‘s thanks to the 10K options. So if you‘re looking to invest in an everyday solid gold chain, GLD offers more bang for your buck. The exception is GLD‘s iced out pieces, which can get super pricey.
Across the board, Jaxxon has very reasonable prices for the materials and craftsmanship. For example, the 5mm 14K Gold Cuban Link Chain is originally $238-$288 for 16-30", but is almost always on sale for $160-$200. That‘s an amazing deal for a chain handmade in Italy with such thick gold bonding. You‘d easily pay double from a traditional jeweler.
GLD‘s frequent sitewide sales also add to the value. It‘s not uncommon to see 40-60% off, which can bring gold vermeil pieces down to $50-$200 and 10K gold to $200-$1,000. These sale prices make it easier to build out your collection.
Both brands offer referral discounts, free shipping over a certain amount, and easy returns too. Considering these perks plus the quality, Jaxxon and GLD jewelry is a great investment compared to other retailers. It just depends how much you want to spend.
Customer Feedback
To get a sense of how Jaxxon and GLD pieces perform in real life, I dug through hundreds of reviews on the brands‘ sites and third-party platforms. Both have pretty stellar reputations, but there are some patterns worth noting.
Jaxxon has a fantastic 4.8/5 rating average from nearly 11,000 reviews on Trustpilot and 4.9/5 on its own site. The most common piece of feedback is how impressed customers are with the quality and weight of the pieces compared to the price. People also love the customer service, fast shipping (free in the US), and easy return process. I saw very few complaints about Jaxxon‘s products or service.
On the GLD side, customers who bought solid gold are thrilled with their forever pieces. The gold vermeil and plated jewelry gets more mixed (but still mostly positive) reviews – many people say the quality surpassed expectations and they get tons of compliments. Others note that the plating can fade or rub off over time, especially on rings/bracelets. GLD resolves issues quickly when they come up though.
Shipping seems to be the main point of contention. While GLD technically offers free shipping on $100+, this is for standard 5-7 day service in the US. A few reviews mention delays here, which is frustrating when you‘re excited for a new piece.
All in all, shoppers are very happy with both brands, especially for the price. Jaxxon just seems to be more consistent with quality and service based on feedback.
The Verdict
So, which brand should you go with? It ultimately depends on your personal preferences and what you‘re looking for in your jewelry. But here are my general recommendations:
Choose Jaxxon for:
- Best overall quality and value, especially for everyday gold pieces
- Thick 14K gold bonding that will last
- Timeless, minimalist styles handcrafted in Italy
- Exceptional customer service and easy returns
- Supporting a transparent, ethical small business
Choose GLD for:
- Unique statement pieces that stand out
- Solid 10K gold options at a good price
- Celebrity and pop culture-inspired designs
- An extensive selection of bracelets, pendants, etc.
- Frequent sitewide sales
Personally, I lean towards Jaxxon for the 14K gold bonded pieces like the Cuban and Rope chains. The quality is unbeatable at that price point and I love the brand‘s ethos. GLD is my pick if you want to treat yourself to a custom solid gold chain or an iced out piece for special occasions. I‘d stick to Jaxxon for everyday basics though.
Ultimately, you can‘t go wrong with either brand if you‘re looking for premium, handcrafted jewelry that doesn‘t break the bank. Jaxxon and GLD prove that luxury doesn‘t have to be limited to designer showrooms anymore. With these online brands, building a solid collection is super attainable.
I hope this in-depth comparison helped you decide which brand fits your jewelry needs best! Let me know in the comments which pieces caught your eye and what you plan to add to your cart.
