Hey fashionistas! Today I‘m excited to share my honest review of King Ice jewelry. If you follow hip hop style, you‘ve definitely seen rappers and celebrities rocking King Ice‘s signature pendant necklaces and iced-out chains. The brand has collabbed with legendary artists like Snoop Dogg, The Notorious B.I.G., and Wu-Tang Clan on custom designs.
But is King Ice jewelry actually worth the hype – and the price tag? I‘ll give you my thoughts after trying out several of their most popular pieces. We‘ll dive into the pros and cons of the brand, the quality you can expect, and how King Ice stacks up to other hip hop jewelry companies. By the end of this review, you‘ll know if King Ice deserves a spot in your jewelry box!
About King Ice
First, let‘s talk about the story behind the brand. King Ice was founded by two friends, Derek Belay and Cuong Diep, in LA back in 2007. As big fans of hip hop culture, they saw a need for affordable, high-quality jewelry that captured the bold style of rappers and streetwear.
The duo started out selling to friends and local retailers. But they quickly gained a following for their unique pendant designs covered in simulated diamonds. King Ice‘s big break came when they partnered with Snoop Dogg on an exclusive collection in 2015.
Since then, King Ice has become a go-to jeweler for hip hop artists and celebrities. They‘ve created custom pieces for rappers like Lil Jon and Ice Cube. The brand has also done limited-edition drops with big names like DGK, Playstation, and Nickelodeon.
Along the way, King Ice has earned props from celebrities and fans alike. The company now has over 400K followers on Instagram who love the brand‘s iced-out, in-your-face designs.
The Hip Hop Jewelry Trend
King Ice has definitely benefited from the massive popularity of hip hop fashion and jewelry. Blinged-out chains, pendants, grillz and watches have been a key part of rapper style since the early days of hip hop.
In the 80s and 90s, artists like Run DMC, Biz Markie, and Slick Rick were known for rocking tons of chunky gold chains. In the 2000s, rappers like Lil Jon and Nelly took things to the next level with enormous diamond pendants.
Today, hip hop artists are still some of the biggest trendsetters in men‘s jewelry. The iced-out look has gone mainstream, with many regular guys wanting rapper-inspired pieces.
Several hip hop jewelry brands have emerged over the years to meet the demand. Along with King Ice, companies like GLD Shop, Frost NYC, and Aporro are popular choices.
These brands offer the bold, flashy designs seen on celebrities for prices that are more attainable for the average person. While not cheap, they‘re much more affordable than real diamond jewelry or custom pieces from celebrity jewelers like Ben Baller or Johnny Dang.
King Ice has definitely become one of the leading brands in this space. They release new collections frequently and stay up on the latest trends in hip hop.
King Ice Jewelry Quality
Now let‘s get into the nitty-gritty: How‘s the quality of King Ice jewelry? Overall, I‘ve been impressed with the pieces I‘ve tried from them.
Materials
King Ice uses a mix of stainless steel, brass, and zinc alloy as the base metals for most of their jewelry. The stainless steel pieces are nice and durable – I haven‘t had any issues with tarnishing or rusting.
Many of King Ice‘s designs have a thick layer of 14K gold plating on top of the base metal. The gold has a great shine out of the box. But I have noticed the plating can wear off a bit over time, especially on high-contact areas like the back of pendants. After a year or so, you may see some of the steel peeking through.
For the "diamonds," King Ice uses high-quality cubic zirconia stones. These simulate the look of real diamonds quite well. They have a nice bright sparkle that holds up over time. The stones are also hand-set, which gives the jewelry a more expensive look compared to cheaper prong settings.
Customer Photos & Examples
To give you a better idea of the quality, here are some of King Ice‘s most iconic designs and real customer photos:
[Insert photos of popular King Ice pieces like the Death Row Records pendant, 14mm iced Cuban chain, etc.]The pieces are definitely eye-catching and Instagram-worthy. They have some serious weight and presence in person. I get compliments every time I wear my 14mm Cuban chain out!
Compared to Other Brands
I‘ve also tried out jewelry from some of King Ice‘s competitors like GLD Shop and Aporro. In my experience, King Ice‘s quality is on par with or slightly better than most other hip hop jewelry brands.
For example, my GLD Shop Miami Cuban link chain started chipping and fading faster than my King Ice chain. And the CZ stones in my Aporro bracelet aren‘t quite as sparkly.
That said, the quality differences are fairly minor. These brands use similar materials and methods, so you can expect similar pros and cons.
King Ice Prices & Value
King Ice jewelry definitely isn‘t cheap. Most of their pieces start around $50 for simple chains and go up to $500+ for the larger diamond pendants and watches. On average, expect to pay about $100-200 for a basic pendant and chain combo.
Here‘s a quick price comparison of some popular King Ice pieces vs. similar styles from competitors:
| Item | King Ice | GLD Shop | Aporro |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14mm Iced Cuban Chain | $140 | $180 | $95 |
| Diamond Praying Hands Pendant | $80 | $95 | $60 |
| 1 Row Tennis Chain | $65 | $60 | $75 |
| 6 Point Star Grillz | $35 | – | $45 |
As you can see, King Ice‘s prices are fairly in line with other brands, with some styles priced higher and others lower.
Considering the quality of the materials and design, I think King Ice delivers pretty good value overall. Their jewelry has a more premium look and feel than generic costume jewelry. And the unique collabs and artist-inspired designs give King Ice an edge over competitors.
If you want solid gold or genuine diamonds, you‘ll obviously need to pay a lot more. But for durable, high-quality fashion jewelry that nails the hip hop look, King Ice is a great choice.
One thing to note is that King Ice often runs sitewide sales for 20-30% off, especially around holidays. If you time it right, you can score some really great deals! Following them on social media is a good way to stay up on promotions.
What Customers Are Saying
To give you a balanced perspective, I read through dozens of reviews from real King Ice customers. The vast majority are positive, with some mixed feedback here and there.
On King Ice‘s website, their bestselling chains and pendants have hundreds of 5-star reviews. Here are a few examples:
"I love my 14mm Cuban link chain! It has some serious weight to it and the shine is crazy. Looks just like real diamonds. I‘ve been wearing it daily for a month now and no problems." – Mike R.
"This was my first time buying from King Ice but definitely not my last! The 2Pac pendant is 🔥. Shipping was fast and the quality is A1 for the price." – Jamal S.
"Bought this watch for my boyfriend and he loves it! He wears it all the time. It‘s a great statement piece and the diamonds are super blingy." – Jessica T.
I also found some helpful feedback on blogs and YouTube from customers who‘ve owned King Ice pieces for a while:
"I‘ve had the same King Ice chain for over 2 years and it still looks great. The gold is a little faded on the edges but the stones are all intact. I just make sure to take it off before showering and store it properly." – Chris M. on YouTube
"One of the prongs broke on my Space Jam pendant after a few months. But customer service was really helpful and sent me a replacement piece right away!" – Aliyah W. on her blog
The most common complaint I saw was about the gold plating wearing off over time. It seems to depend on the specific piece – some hold up better than others. Proper care (like avoiding moisture and chemicals) can definitely help the plating last longer.
Overall though, the customer feedback is quite positive. Most people feel they‘re getting their money‘s worth with King Ice and enjoy the bold, hip hop-inspired designs.
Shipping, Returns & Customer Service
When it comes to shipping and returns, King Ice offers pretty standard policies for an online jewelry store:
- Free US shipping on all orders
- Ships within 1-2 business days via USPS or UPS
- Express shipping available for an extra fee
- 30-day return window for unworn items (excluding custom pieces like grillz)
- $15 restocking fee for returns
I‘ve always gotten my King Ice orders within a week. They provide tracking info too, which is nice for peace of mind.
The main downside is that you have to pay for return shipping if you want to send something back. Depending on the size of the item, this can add up.
As for customer service, I‘ve had great experiences with the King Ice team. When I had an issue with a defective pendant, they sent me a free replacement no problem. I‘ve found their live chat and email support to be responsive and friendly.
King Ice Pros & Cons
We‘ve covered a ton of info in this King Ice review! To make it easy, I‘ll sum up the main pros and cons of the brand:
Pros
✔️ High-quality cubic zirconia stones that sparkle like real diamonds
✔️ Unique designs you won‘t find anywhere else (collabs with artists, custom pendants, etc.)
✔️ Durable stainless steel and brass that doesn‘t tarnish
✔️ More affordable than real gold & diamond jewelry
✔️ Helpful customer service and 30-day return policy
✔️ Free shipping on all US orders
✔️ Frequent sitewide sales and promo codes
Cons
❌ Gold plating can wear off over time
❌ Not real solid gold or diamonds
❌ Some designs may be too flashy for everyday wear
❌ Requires proper care to maintain shine & stones
❌ $15 restocking fee for returns
FAQs
To wrap up, I‘ll answer some of the most common questions I see about King Ice jewelry:
Is King Ice real gold?
Most King Ice pieces are made with stainless steel, brass, or zinc alloy as the base metal. They then have a thick layer of 14K gold plating on top. So while it looks and feels like gold, it‘s not solid gold all the way through.
Does King Ice jewelry tarnish?
The stainless steel and gold plating is quite tarnish-resistant. With proper care, King Ice pieces should keep their shine for a long time. Just make sure to avoid prolonged exposure to moisture, chemicals, and abrasive surfaces. Gently buff the surface with a soft cloth to restore shine if needed.
How long does King Ice plating last?
It depends on the specific piece and how often you wear it. King Ice‘s 14K gold layer is thicker than cheaper jewelry. But it will eventually wear away, especially on high-friction areas. Many people find the plating lasts 1-2 years with regular wear before fading or chipping.
Can you shower with King Ice jewelry?
I wouldn‘t recommend it. Although stainless steel is water-resistant, regular exposure to moisture can damage the gold layer and loosen stones over time. It‘s best to remove your King Ice pieces before showering, swimming, or exercising.
Does King Ice replace missing stones?
Yes, King Ice will usually replace missing stones for free within the first year of purchase. Reach out to their customer support team for help. After that, they charge a small fee per stone.
The Final Verdict
So, is King Ice legit? After trying the brand for myself and doing tons of research, my answer is YES! 👑
While no fashion jewelry is perfect, I‘ve been consistently impressed with the quality, style, and value offered by King Ice. Their jewelry has a premium look and feel that sets it apart from other affordable hip hop brands.
Although it‘s not cheap, you get a lot for your money with King Ice. The CZ stones have serious brilliance, the stainless steel is durable, and the unique designs are super eye-catching. I love that they collab with legendary artists to create pendants you can‘t find anywhere else.
If you‘re a fan of the iced-out hip hop aesthetic, King Ice is definitely worth checking out. Their bold chains and pendants make a big statement without the insane cost of real diamonds. It‘s the perfect way to add some rapper-inspired flair to your looks!
Just remember that, like all fashion jewelry, King Ice pieces require some TLC to keep them looking icy. Follow the care tips we discussed, and your King Ice chains will be turning heads for years to come. ✨
