Collections by Joya is a monthly jewelry and accessories subscription box for women. All items offered are 100% handmade by expert female artisans around the world. Proceeds from every purchase are donated to a women's charity.
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
About Collections by Joya
The Subscription Box: Collections by Joya
The Cost: $49.95 a month + free US shipping. Save with quarterly and annual subscriptions.
The Products: jewelry and accessories, handmade by women from around the world.
Ships to: US for free, Canada for $14.95, and International for $21.95
Collections by Joya September 2018 Review
It's the best time of the month again! Collections by Joya time! Joya includes this "thank you" card with a reminder that your purchase supports a charity and some info about where to find them online. They don't share info about the charities they support, but per their website, a portion of each sale goes toward "the disadvantaged women and their children in Indonesia where most of our collection is crafted, or women who have recently escaped violent abuse in our hometown of St. Louis."
Each month's jewelry comes tucked in a lightweight cotton drawstring pouch.
Inside the pouch were three pieces of jewelry. The necklaces were further protected by a tiny poly bag.
Hammered Bar Earrings — Estimated Value $68.95
All hail the hammered gold! Hammering is my very favorite detail that a piece of jewelry can have, and I am typically a gold-wearer—if I wear silver, it's usually with gold—so these earrings have my attention. I couldn't find them on the Collections by Joya website, but here are two somewhat similar styles: a hammered gold stud and a dangly pair that has a hammered bar, but within an almond-shaped hoop (fun fact: I received the second pair in my very first Joya box back in September of 2017!!!).
One of the little ball-tipped hooks that hold the dangly part of this earring was positioned such that the hammered gold bar fell off when I pulled it out of the pouch. I easily hooked it back on and made a mental note to squeeze it tighter with some pliers so I wouldn't lose the earring during wear. Turns out, on the walk from my front door to my bedroom with these earrings in my hand, they came apart again and I lost the hook! I can't for the life of me find where it went. So here I am modeling just one earring until I can make it to the craft store to buy another hook part for the other one. That'll be easy enough, but it's a real bummer given that Joya typically offers such high quality. This happened to me one other time with a pair of earrings, but I was able to repair it before losing any pieces.
Maddie Necklace — Retail Value $59.95
I'm so amped about this pendant necklace! I would say my style is reasonably boho-inspired, but I indulge in all the intricate embroidery, pompom trim, and tassels (which you know I love) with an awareness that there is such a thing as too much, and a caution against looking too costumey in what I wear. As such, I'm always enthusiastic to find bohemian-influenced styles that also have a tone of sophistication to them, and to me, this necklace is exactly that. There's personality to its pendant, but it's not juvenile. At least that's what I think!
...of course, I declare an appreciation for sophistication alongside a photo of myself wearing the mariachi band of tank tops, haha! Good thing I have this necklace to balance it out (and one hammered gold earring *facepalm*)!
Windsor Wrap Necklace — Retail Value $98.95
This necklace is absolutely beautiful in person. Its smoky quartz beads offer both sparkle and a moodiness that I can see working really beautifully with a number of outfits. It's rare that I sport jewelry with small beads like this, but the tassels offer enough of a statement that I was warmed up to the beads. It also comes in a freshwater pearl version, which is a little more expensive.
It's been quite some time since I've worn a lariat necklace and I had to do a quick internet search to peep what types of necklines people wear them with these days. It seems like the most common is a plunging neckline, with a few tasteful bateaus and other higher necklines mixed in. I jumped into a dress with a low V to show how this would lay. Other than the fact that my bra is showing a little (oops!), it's pretty, isn't it?
Here's a quick shot of the gift wrap that comes in every month's box! It's a cardstock squeezebox that arrives with a pretty piece of raffia ribbon. I won't be regifting any of this month's items, but I'll save this box for future use!
Verdict: I loved the variety offered in this month's Collections by Joya box! Both necklaces are unique and unlike anything else I own. I can't wait to style them! I always mention that I love the high quality and ethical production of Joya jewelry! This box costs $49.95, including free shipping. The three items in my box added up to an estimated $227.85, which was calculated using two retail values and one estimated price. That's a little higher than most months' estimated costs, but even if my one guessed retail value (for the gold bar earrings) is a little steep, it's still an AMAZING value!!
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No. Order by 10/8 to get the October box!
Value Breakdown: At $49.95 for this box, you're paying approximately $16.65 per item. For such high-quality accessories with beautiful detailing, that's a fantastic deal. Basically, it's a win no matter how you slice it!
Check out all of our Collections by Joya reviews and more handmade jewelry and fair trade boxes and jewelry subscription boxes in the Women's Subscription Box Directory!
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What did you receive in your September Collections by Joya box?
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