AUrate New York Review: Solid Gold vs Vermeil, Real Prices and the 14-Day Return Window
AUrate New York sells fine jewelry online from New York: earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets and anklets in 14k and 18k solid gold, plus a cheaper range in gold vermeil, sterling silver and stainless steel. Its catalog runs to more than 800 listings. Many styles come in several metals at very different prices, from $34 for a single vermeil huggie to well over $1,000 for diamond pieces, and the starting price of a typical listing is about $400.
This review explains what AUrate sells, how its metal options differ, prices, shipping, the short return window, the lifetime repair guarantee, and what to check before you order.
At a glance Checked October 2026
AUrate suits US shoppers who want everyday fine jewelry, such as huggies, chains, studs and letter pendants, in recycled solid gold or a lower-cost vermeil version of the same design. The main catches are a 14-day refund window, a long list of exchange-only and final-sale items, and made-to-order pieces that can take longer to ship.
- Best for: Everyday earrings and chains, gifts, and shoppers who want to choose between vermeil and solid gold in the same style.
- Typical price: $34–$228 for many vermeil pieces; roughly $100–$900 for 14k gold staples; lab-grown diamond tennis jewelry runs into the thousands.
- Shipping: The help center lists free shipping on orders over $100 and an $8 fee on orders of $99 or less.
- Returns: Refund or exchange on US orders within 14 days of fulfillment; exchanges within 30 days; international orders and engravings are final.
- Watch out for: Many discounted lab-grown diamond pieces were marked final sale, and some styles are exchange-only.
What AUrate sells
The site groups its range by category and by metal:
- Earrings. Hinged huggies, hoops, ball and pearl studs, diamond studs, ear cuffs and earring backs, usually sold as a single or a pair.
- Necklaces and pendants. Paperclip, herringbone, box and "barely there" chains, letter and script pendants, lockets, pearl and gemstone necklaces, and tennis necklaces.
- Rings and bracelets. Stackable bands, toi et moi gemstone rings, birthstone rings, hinged bangles, chain and tennis bracelets, and anklets.
- Lab-grown and natural diamonds. Studs, solitaire pendants, bezel pieces, tennis bracelets and necklaces, and an engagement section.
- Collaborations and extras. Collections with Molly Dickson, Frye and Marilyn Monroe, mystery boxes, gift sets, a ring sizer for $1, a jewelry cleaning cloth and digital gift cards.
Metals and quality details worth comparing
The metal option, labeled "Rate" on product pages, is the biggest factor in price. AUrate's help center describes three gold options:
- Vermeil: "a base of sterling silver plated in 2.5 microns of real gold, ranging from 14-22k." The quality page adds that AUrate coats its vermeil in 14k gold and finishes it with a protective layer.
- 14k solid gold: 14 parts gold out of 24.
- 18k solid gold: 18 parts gold out of 24, so richer in color and more costly.
A few styles also come in platinum or sterling silver, and an "Unbreakable" stainless steel line starts at $18. AUrate says its 14k and 18k gold is recycled, that its diamonds are conflict-free under the Kimberley Process, and that it uses SI clarity or better. Diamond studs come in lab-grown or natural versions. Those are the brand's claims; the pages we read do not mention independent grading reports for smaller stones.
Other details to check on each listing: whether the price is for a single earring or a pair, the chain length (the Medium Paperclip Chain comes in 16, 18 or 22 inches), and whether the piece is in stock or made to order. Some listings give widths, thicknesses and gram weights; others do not.
Prices
Examples from the US site at the time of checking:
- Gold Hinged Huggie Earrings: $34 single / $68 pair in vermeil; $319 single / $638 pair in 14k
- Gold Huggies: $238 pair in 14k, $598 pair in 18k
- Gold Ball Studs: $44 single / $88 pair in 14k
- Classic Gold Hoop Earrings: $209 single / $418 pair in 14k
- Classic Gold Letter Necklace: $398 in 14k
- Lab-grown diamond studs in 14k: $248 (0.06ct), $418 (0.25ct), $798 (0.50ct)
- Unbreakable stainless steel chains and bracelets: from $18 to $28
- Lab-grown diamond tennis bracelets: about $1,979 to $3,563 on sale, against listed prices of $3,298 to $5,938
The Diamond Days Sale collection showed large markdowns on lab-grown diamond pieces. Of the 129 listings we found with a reduced price, 106 were tagged final sale, so check the label before you order.
Shipping
AUrate's help center says shipping is free on orders above $100 and costs $8 on orders of $99 or less, with overnight shipping within the US available for a fee set by the carrier. The shipping policy says in-stock orders are processed and shipped within 1–2 business days, and US delivery then normally takes 3–5 business days. Made-to-order pieces have no fixed lead time; the help center says the estimated ship date appears on the product page and may change with order volume or quality checks.
International orders take 2–8 business days to arrive depending on the destination and how duties and taxes are paid, and the site has a country and currency selector. The policy does not list which countries are served.
Returns and the lifetime guarantee
The refund policy offers a "no-questions refund or exchange on any US purchase for up to 14 days after your order was fulfilled," as long as the piece is in original condition, and exchanges within 30 days of fulfillment. You email care@auratenewyork.com for a free return label. Refunds go to the original payment method, and the help center says returns are averaging 10–15 business days to process after they arrive.
There are important exceptions. International sales and all engraved pieces are final. Items marked Exchange Only cannot be refunded, and made-to-order exchange-only orders have a 24-hour cancellation window, after which a 30% fee applies. Items marked Exchange for Size Only can only be swapped for another size of the same piece. Items marked Final Sale cannot be returned or exchanged at all. Report a defective or wrong item within 5 days of delivery.
The Lifetime Guarantee covers repairs on vermeil, 14k and 18k pieces from US orders, including ring resizing and reshaping, broken jump rings, chain soldering, earring post soldering, stone tightening, polishing and rhodium plating. Gemstone replacement costs extra, normal wear and tear is not covered, third-party repairs void the warranty, and international repairs are not offered.
Who should buy from AUrate
- Everyday jewelry wearers who want solid gold huggies, studs or chains they can sleep and shower in.
- Budget-conscious shoppers who like a design but would rather start in vermeil.
- Gift buyers in the US, as long as the piece is not engraved or final sale.
Think twice if you are outside the US (sales are final and repairs are US-only), if you need a long return window, or if you are buying a sale diamond piece you might want to return.
AUrate coupon codes
We did not find a public code that we could verify at the time of writing, and we do not publish codes we cannot check. What the site does show: free shipping over $100, a Diamond Days Sale on lab-grown diamond pieces (mostly final sale), and footer links to a student offer and a refer-a-friend program whose terms we could not read. The help center says only one discount can be used per order, and that engagement jewelry, gift cards, the first aid kit and Archive Sale, partnership and limited-edition items are excluded. Any working offers we find are listed on our AUrate coupons page.
Frequently asked questions
Is AUrate real gold?
Its 14k and 18k pieces are solid gold, which AUrate says is recycled. Vermeil pieces are sterling silver plated with 2.5 microns of gold, so they cost far less but can wear over time.
How long does AUrate take to ship?
In-stock items are processed in 1–2 business days and then take 3–5 business days within the US. Made-to-order pieces show an estimated ship date on the product page.
Can I return AUrate jewelry?
US orders can be refunded or exchanged within 14 days of fulfillment if they are in original condition, unless the item is engraved, final sale or exchange-only. Exchanges are accepted for up to 30 days.
Does AUrate offer a warranty?
Yes. Its Lifetime Guarantee covers repairs such as resizing, chain soldering and stone tightening for US orders, excluding normal wear and tear. Gemstone replacement costs extra.
Are AUrate earrings sold as a pair?
Many earring listings let you choose a single or a pair, and the single price is half the pair price. Check the quantity option before checkout.
The bottom line
AUrate offers a wide range of everyday fine jewelry with a clear choice between vermeil and recycled solid gold, free shipping over $100 and a repair guarantee for US buyers. The trade-offs are a short 14-day refund window and many items that are exchange-only or final sale. Check the metal, the single-or-pair option, the stock status and the return label on the product page before you buy.
Disclosure: this article contains affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Prices and policies were checked on the AUrate New York website at the time of writing and may change.