This Oprah’s Favorite Things Jewelry Set was a Bust! Here’s What to Buy Instead…
Jewelry doesn’t have to cost a fortune — and here’s why we don’t recommend the set from Oprah’s Favorite Things list.
Here’s your reminder to think twice before you buy this holiday season. ❤️
Oprah’s Favorite Things list has many highly sought-after gift ideas and last year this jewelry set caught our eye. However, we’re sharing a reminder of why we don’t approve of these overpriced bracelets and sharing 5 pieces of jewelry to buy instead.
I respect Oprah, but I have to question her holiday recommendations. After my experience last year, it only solidified that you can’t trust a product just because a name’s been slapped on it.
Last year, I purchased this set of Maya J bracelets which was on Oprah’s 2021 Favorite Things list and they were even featured on Good Morning America for 50% OFF – making my total purchase just under $50 after tax & shipping (regularly $80).
What stunned me this year is that they’ve become inflated to a whopping $120. 🤯
These bracelets are so poorly made and weren’t even worth the $50 then and they certainly aren’t worth $120 now. 😳
The two smaller bracelets in this set felt and looked so cheap I honestly would have thought they came out of an arcade vending machine. 😔 Plus, opening them to put them on left them warped and wonky looking. Even worse, the larger chain link bracelet broke right in half when trying to put it on my wrist for the first time. 🤦🏼♀️
Although the bracelet set I bought last year isn’t on this year’s Oprah’s Favorite Things list, I was disheartened to see another eerily similar product by the same company on the list.
What’s comical is that they’re elastic hair ties that look like they’re made out of the broken pieces of bracelets I bought last year. 🤣 I can’t make this stuff up, friends! 😆
Sadly, these aren’t the only undeserving jewelry pieces I saw on this year’s list either. Oprah is also endorsing a $200 Five Days of Hoops Advent Box and a pair of $88 Women’s Giselle Earrings. Both look extremely cheap, overpriced, and have less than mediocre Amazon ratings. 😒
All of that said, this experience has been a great reminder that you don’t always get what you pay for! Instances like this are also why we test so many products here at Hip2Save before they ever hit our site. And trust me when I say not every product makes the cut.
Here are a few Hip-approved jewelry pieces you should consider gifting this year instead…
1. Chelsey has loved this trendy Mama necklace so much that she recently ordered another one to gift.
Mama Necklace – $19.99 (regularly $39.95)
- Plus, score an additional $2 OFF with Amazon’s clippable coupon!
This dainty necklace comes in gold, silver, or rose gold and will be the perfect laying piece for any trendy mama! It’s hypoallergenic and plated with 14k gold so you’ll feel good about gifting it to even the ladies with the highest standards.
“I ordered this necklace as a ‘dupe’ because I saw a similar one from a much more expensive jewelry shop. However, I feel like they were the ones who were duped 😆 because this necklace is AWESOME! The real thing. I can’t boast about it enough!
I can’t remember for the life of me what the shop was (it was over 2 years ago) but at the time I compared them, there was seriously no difference. The letters are spaced perfectly and they don’t dangle or fall in a weird way. While I don’t wear it in the shower or pool, I have worn it overnight while I sleep and it has never tarnished or broken. I am so happy with this sweet necklace and so glad I found this Amazon gem!” – Chelsey, Hip sidekick
2. Numerous Hip sidekicks own this personalized name necklace – including our Hip founder, Collin.
Personalized Name Necklace $32.80+ (regularly $41)
Choose the number of names and color metal for your necklace
Shipping is free
Final cost as low as $32.80 SHIPPED!
Our team has loved these personalized necklaces for quite some time and they truly do make such a wonderful and meaningful gift. You’ll get to choose between numerous fonts, colors, lengths, and you can add up to seven names. Our Hip founder, Collin, and her sister, Bryn, have been wearing their name necklaces consistently for years and literally never take them off – even when showering! Both say they’ve never experienced tarnishing or signs of wear and tear despite how much they wear them.
To find out more about this team favorite name necklace, head to our full review!
3. Lina bought this fun coin pendant necklace to wear as a statement piece to elevate everyday outfits.
Coin Pendant Necklace – $37.90
Plated with 18k gold and made of pure 925 sterling silver, this genuine Italian 20 Lira Coin pendant is sure to impress! The 20 Lira carries the symbol of strength and dignity and comes in an elegant gift box so it truly is such a great gift idea for someone special.
“I’ve been wearing this necklace often since summer and it’s such nice quality! It looks great, especially with a contrasting black tee and I’ve had so many people stop and ask me about it!” – Lina, Hip sidekick
4. I bought this meaningful and minimalist bar necklace for myself about 3 years ago and haven’t taken it off since.
You’ve likely seen me wearing this gold bar necklace in nearly every single Hip video and photo. That’s because I literally never take it off! It has beautiful hammered detail and is perfectly minimal. Plus, it can even be customized if you wish!
This particular style means “balance”. For me, I wear it to remind myself not to build a life upon perfection, but balance — something our society has made very difficult for many. Over the past few years, there have been many obstacles we’ve all faced so I truly think this could be a meaningful gift for many.
5. Cate & Chloe have numerous items to elevate any holiday outfit.
Shop all Cate & Chloe deals on Hip2Save – $16.80+
Cate & Chloe is a brand we often share at Hip2Save and we’re lucky enough to be able to offer exclusive promo codes when available! In fact, many of our Hip sidekicks have received quite a few of their pieces and I’ll be the first to tell you any of their jewelry will be the perfect piece to elevate any of your formal holiday outfits. Their jewelry is also super affordable which makes them the perfect accessories for special events like weddings and bridesmaid’s gifts. 🤩
They offer everything from earrings to necklaces and bracelets that are sure to give you more bang for your buck than Oprah’s Favorite Things. 😏
Thank you for the warning and alternatives.
Thank you for this post and all the very pretty alternatives! I hope you were able to return the bracelets and get a refund.
I looked at the whole O list yesterday. mostly overpriced junk.
That ‘s because you have to pay to get on the list, so they have to raise the prices to compensate and try to break even. I have a co-worker whose family member bussiness was on the list a few years ago.
They applied months ahead and did not think they were interested. Then several months later, they received a package with “all the information” they need to send it in. Mostly was asking for several free samples to be mailed out to different people in the “selection committee, their extended family members and some politicians/famous people”. You were not allowed to have any company identification on certain packages, but you could for the ones being sent to their main offices. They did not want the famous people to know who the product was from and which company. You had to re-label as “gifts” from O or something silly along those lines. I don’t recall the exact words. The nature process was ridiculously from the start but they already had so much invested that, they couldn’t go back.
After that, it took another extra few months. They finally were “selected” and to compensate for all the money they had “invested” (it was a lot, loan type of a lot for a well established Bussiness at time- it was ridiculous) to try and recover some of the money they had spent. It ended up being that they sold a lot but basically barely broke even because of the fees and what nit. They said it was the single worst experience they have ever had as family business that have been around for over half century. They were of course NDA and tons of legal paperwork, so they couldn’t even complain in public.
The list is a scam and I lost any respect I had for the people/company running that list. They act like they are trying to help some small own family run businesses, but it’s not true.
Sao, thank you for sharing your story. You confirm what many of us have suspected for a long time. My heart goes out to the family business disappointed from such a negative experience. The fact that they had to take out a loan, got their hopes up in anticipation of the announcement, time spent jumping through all of the hoops, and playing the waiting game . . . only to just break even. Obviously, their time and marketing dollars could have been better spent elsewhere.
Personally, I make it a point to NOT purchase things that are celebrity endorsed. Besides, who needs goofy celebrities, when we have HIP2SAVE???
Honestly, the family could have chosen not to go on, but they chose to do so. I realize as you posted, they were “too far into the process,” but if you find yourself in a hole, STOP digging! Please believe me I’m not finger pointing, but I think there’s enough culpability on both sides to know that choices have consequences. May they learn a valuable lesson in that fiasco and not repeat it again…ever.
My guess is Oprah really has nothing to do with this list. It’s all promotional items and staff picked stuff
I agree. She just looks at it as yet another income stream and a way to promote herself and her brand.
I would not buy anything Oprah sells.
This is my first Cate & Chloe piece of jewelry, although I’ve been wanting a piece for a while. I already have a silver tennis bracelet but needed a gold tone one to match my gold jewelry. Thank you for the exceptional savings!
Yay! You’re so welcome, Yolie! Happy you could grab it! 💖🤗
I purchased a name necklace when I saw it on H2S a year or more ago (?). I’ve worn it everyday since and it’s still in excellent condition and I receive compliments on it a couple of times a month. Sometimes I forget I have it on and someone will say how much they like it!
That’s awesome, Victoria!! I’m so happy it has held up well and you are receiving many compliments.💕