Kendra Scott is a popular jewelry brand known for its colorful gemstones and accessible price points. The Austin-based company offers necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets and more featuring eye-catching designs. But are the stones used in Kendra Scott jewelry real? Let’s take a closer look at what gems they use and if they are natural or synthetic.
Kendra Scott Jewelry Materials
Kendra Scott uses a mix of natural gemstones and man-made stones in their jewelry lines. Here are some of the most common materials found in Kendra Scott pieces:
- Quartz – Natural quartz like amethyst, citrine, rock crystal
- Onyx – Natural
- Mother of Pearl – Natural
- Abalone – Natural
- Opal – Natural
- Turquoise – Natural or reconstructed
- Labradorite – Natural
- Stones like agate and jasper – Natural
- Cubic zirconia – Man-made
- Crystals – Man-made
As you can see, Kendra Scott uses a combination of genuine gemstones sourced from around the world along with high-quality lab-created stones. Many of their signature colorful pieces feature genuine semi-precious quartz, turquoise, onyx and other natural stones. The man-made stones allow them to offer affordable jewelry by complementing the real gems.
How to Tell if Kendra Scott Stones are Real
Here are some tips for identifying if the stones in Kendra Scott jewelry are real:
- Look at product descriptions – Kendra Scott is transparent about which stones are natural and which are lab-created.
- Check for imperfections – Natural stones have minor flaws while synthetic stones are almost perfect.
- Consider the price – Natural precious gems like diamonds or sapphires will be more expensive than man-made stones.
- Do a scratch test – Genuine gems like quartz will scratch glass while cubic zirconia won’t.
- Examine the setting – Natural stones will have prong or bezel settings to protect the gem.
Kendra Scott also offers an extensive selection of fine jewelry using solid 14k gold, sterling silver and genuine diamonds. These investment pieces use real diamonds and gemstones, giving an authentic luxe feel.
Most Popular Kendra Scott Stones
Here are some of the natural gemstones and man-made stones you’ll see used most often in Kendra Scott’s jewelry:
Quartz
Varieties of natural quartz like amethyst, smoky quartz and rock crystal are commonly used by Kendra Scott. These genuine gems showcase the beauty and clarity of quartz crystals at affordable price points.
Onyx
Onyx is another natural stone featured heavily in Kendra Scott designs. From statement black onyx pieces to bold multi-colored layered necklaces, this real stone adds dramatic color.
Turquoise
Turquoise is one of the brand’s signature stones. They use both natural turquoise and reconstructed turquoise which combines small pieces of real turquoise into stunning gemstones. The blue-green hues of turquoise complement many skin tones.
Mother of Pearl
Natural iridescent mother of pearl gives Kendra Scott jewelry a luxurious luminescent sheen. It’s often used in their flower-inspired designs along with other colorful stones.
Opal
Kendra Scott also incorporates fiery natural opal into their jewelry line. The flickering rainbow colors of opal cabochons or beads add a unique pop.
Cubic Zirconia
Man-made cubic zirconia allows Kendra Scott to offer affordable diamond-looking stones. The brilliant white CZ has clarity and radiance similar to a diamond. It’s used in pieces like engagement-style rings.
Crystals
Lab-created crystals are shaped into various cuts to mimic stones like emerald or sapphire. Crystals allow the brand to achieve deep saturated colors at lower price points.
Kendra Scott Jewelry Lines
Kendra Scott offers a range of jewelry at varying price points. Many of their signature colorful statement necklaces, earrings and bracelets use genuine stones, while some lines feature more synthetic stones. Here’s a quick look at some of their jewelry collections:
Classic
The Classic line focuses on everyday essentials made with real metals and both natural and man-made stones, typically under $100.
Luxe
The Luxe collection uses precious gems like sapphires, emeralds and diamonds set in 14k gold, from $500 to over $1000.
Fine
The Fine jewelry line features pieces made with solid gold, sterling silver and genuine diamonds, priced between $200 to $1000.
Signature
The colorful Signature line includes many statement necklaces and earrings made with Kendra Scott’s most popular real gemstones.
Demi Fine
The Demi Fine line combines 14k gold with lab gemstones for an elevated look, around $150 to $400.
As you can see, Kendra Scott uses a thoughtful mix of natural stones and man-made crystals across their jewelry lines. This combination allows them to offer stunning designs accessible to a wide range of budgets.
Sourcing of Kendra Scott Stones
All of the natural gemstones used in Kendra Scott jewelry are ethically sourced. They identify the origins of their stones and work with suppliers committed to responsible mining practices. Here are some details on where they get some of their most used gems:
- Quartz – USA, Brazil, Morocco, India
- Onyx – USA, Brazil, Uruguay
- Turquoise – USA
- Opal – Australia, Ethiopia
- Agate – Brazil, Botswana
Kendra Scott is dedicated to ethical sourcing in all aspects of their production. Most of their jewelry is designed and crafted at their headquarters in Austin, Texas. They also partner with vendors in the USA and around the globe who share their values around responsible mining and fair labor practices.
Kendra Scott Gemstone Quality
While Kendra Scott may not use the most premium gemstone quality, their stones are beautiful and meet their brand standards. Here are some notes on the gemstone quality they use:
- Quartz – Good clarity and color, minor inclusions
- Turquoise – Mid-range, occasional matrix veins
- Onyx – Nice saturation without veining
- Opal – Vibrant play-of-color
- Lab Stones – Excellent clarity and brilliance
The natural stones show characteristics typical of each gem type, demonstrating their genuineness. Kendra Scott focuses on ensuring each stone has vivid color and a striking appearance when cut and polished.
Kendra Scott Jewelry Reviews
Here are some reviews from real Kendra Scott customers describing their experiences with the quality and authenticity of the stones:
Positive Reviews
- “I love the beautiful purple color of the amethyst necklace I bought! The stones look and feel very real.” – Mary K.
- “My turquoise earrings are absolutely stunning. They use natural turquoise cabochons that have a lovely matrix.” – Laura B.
- “I get so many compliments when I wear my Kendra Scott quartz ring. The rose quartz stone looks very high quality.” – Danielle V.
Negative Reviews
- “I wish the opal ring I ordered had brighter play-of-color. The opal appears a bit dull.” – Stephanie N.
- “The synthetic blue topaz stones in my necklace seem glassy. I was expecting a nicer crystal.” – Rebecca T.
Overall most customers are pleased with the authenticity and quality of the stones used in Kendra Scott jewelry, especially given the affordable prices. There are occasionally some who aren’t impressed with the gemstone cuts or man-made crystals used in some lines.
Price Differences in Kendra Scott Jewelry
Pricing varies widely across the Kendra Scott jewelry collections, based on the type of materials used. Here is an overview of typical price ranges:
| Jewelry Line | Typical Price Range |
|---|---|
| Classic | $50 – $150 |
| Signature | $100 – $300 |
| Demi Fine | $150 – $400 |
| Fine | $200 – $1000 |
| Luxe | $500+ |
As shown, prices go up as precious metals and genuine gemstones are incorporated. Entry-level collections like Classic use more synthetic stones and silver or plated metals to meet lower price points. TheFine and Luxe collections feature solid gold and real diamonds.
Are Kendra Scott Stones Ethical?
Kendra Scott has committed to responsible sourcing of their gemstones and transparent production. Here are some of the ways they promote ethics in their jewelry:
- Traceable gemstones certified conflict-free
- Supplier Code of Conduct prohibits child labor
- Member of the Responsible Jewellery Council
- Supports charitable causes like gemstone sourcing in Zambia
- Offsets carbon emissions from shipping and packaging
While they may not use the highest gemstone quality, Kendra Scott has made positive strides in responsible jewelry production. They aim for full transparency from mine to market.
Conclusion
Kendra Scott uses a thoughtful mix of natural gemstones and lab-created stones in their jewelry lines. Many of their pieces incorporate genuine semi-precious stones like quartz, onyx and turquoise to deliver vivid colors and textures. They complement these real stones with man-made crystals and gemstones to meet lower price points. While not the finest quality, their stones have nice clarity and coloring that meet the brand’s fun, eye-catching aesthetic. Kendra Scott is also committed to ethical sourcing and transparent production which gives consumers confidence in their jewelry purchases.