Man warns against buying David Yurman jewelry. Then he reveals the real reason why: ‘David Yurman gives Pandora’

A man has gone viral on TikTok for telling people not to buy David Yurman jewelry. The reason why? The brand expert said the company uses cheap materials that aren’t worth the price.

Jeremy, who is known on TikTok as The Lazy Thrifter (@the.lazy.thrifter), said that “David Yurman is jewelry for people that don’t understand jewelry.” The video he posted has more than 1.3 million views, with thousands of commenters expressing either love or hate for the brand.

How much does an average David Yurman piece cost?

It’s not a surprise that most David Yurman pieces come with a hefty price tag. On average, smaller pieces may sell anywhere from $750 to $800, although the value of an individual piece depends on its intricacies and what’s included with it.

Some of the jeweler’s pieces currently retail for more than $6,900. Others are even more expensive.

Is David Yurman worth the price?

Jeremy said David Yurman lookalike jewelry is widely available on jewelry television, especially widely available semi-precious gemstones. “If you want topaz, tourmaline, peridot quartz BUY it anywhere else at a fraction of the price. Look on the JTV WEBSITE for gods sake,” Jeremy wrote.

In a comment to The Mary Sue, he further clarified his stance.

“My issue with the brand is straightforward: the materials aren’t commensurate with the retail price. The signature pieces are largely sterling silver, sometimes with solid gold accents, often with semi-precious stones, and sterling is an inexpensive material,” Jeremy wrote. “So a large share of what you’re paying for is the design and the brand name, not intrinsic value. Even David Yurman’s own retail partners essentially concede this: the pitch is that you’re buying the artistry and heritage, not the metal.”

Despite this, many customers report being pleased with the quality of jewelry purchased from the jeweler. While David Yurman notably doesn’t have the same secondary market as brands such as Cartier and Van Cleef, auction website SebastianCharles says the brand holds up relatively well over time compared with initial retail cost.

It also has a positive reception among customers for its customer service, at least when compared to other luxury brands.

@the.lazy.thrifter Replying to @user6751803853634 if you want topaz, tourmaline, peridot quartz BUY it anywhere else at a fraction of the price. Look on the JTV WEBSITE for gods sake. #davidyurmanring #jewelrytiktok #style #fashion #luxury ♬ original sound – Jeremy:The Lazy Thrifter

What did viewers say?

Viewers who previously purchased David Yurman rings added their thoughts, with some agreeing with Jeremy. Others, however, said David Yurman rings were worth the price.

“Paid $700 for a David Yurman ring,” one viewer said. “Went to the pawn shop and was told it’s only worth $5.”

Jeremy mentioned to The Mary Sue that “the practical problem is twofold. First, you can find unbranded sterling jewelry with a very similar look for a fraction of the price, because the underlying materials simply aren’t expensive. Second, the gap shows up brutally on resale; the sterling pieces in particular tend to lose most of their value almost immediately, which to me is the tell that the price was never about the materials.”

Another commenter said that “David Yurman is for people who think Michael Kors and Louis Vuitton hand bags are ‘fancy’ or ‘luxury’.”

Others, however, defended their pieces from the company. “David Yurman is for people that like David Yurman. Don’t like it, don’t buy it. It’s that simple,” one viewer said.

The conclusion? Some people seem to be diehard David Yurman fans, while others have alternatives they rely on instead. Whether an individual David Yurman piece is worth the price depends on the buyer.

The Mary Sue reached out to David Yurman via email for more information.

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