My Review of Shashi Jewelry After Wearing it for Years

As an avid jewelry lover always looking for unique accessories with craftsmanship that punches above its weight, I was instantly drawn to Shashi when I discovered the brand over 5 years ago. Their globally-inspired gold and silver pieces accented with vibrant stones brought intricacy and color to my predominantly neutral wardrobe.

But long term durability had always been an issue for me with affordable jewelry brands in the past. I wanted to know whether Shashi was just another fast fashion label, or a company making real efforts towards ethical production and quality materials worthy of investment.

So I took the plunge and purchased a few necklaces, bracelets and earrings to see firsthand if they would stand the test of time. Over half a decade later, I’ve experienced enough to provide an extensive review examining Shashi‘s value across factors like materials, style, and craftsmanship.

In this 2500+ word critique detailing my experiences after having worn Shashi jewelry for years, you’ll discover whether their beautiful bohemian accessories are built to last or mere fashion fads.

A Brief Background on Shashi Jewelry

Shashi was founded in 2009 by longtime friends Danna Kobo and Ravi Alpert to make one-of-a-kind jewelry more affordable and ethical. Based in New York City, their pieces fuse varied cultural motifs inspired by the founders’ global travels.

Designed in-house then carefully handcrafted locally, Shashi features artisanal details you’d expect from luxury jewelry brands at surprisingly accessible price points. Signature aesthetics include delicate chains, vibrant enamel stones, and hammered gold plating over brass or sterling silver bases.

The brand has expanded from a single adult friendship bracelet to now over 500 necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, and other accessories. Their growth has been accelerated by features in Vogue, Elle, and other high fashion magazines along with celebrity fans like the Hadid sisters.

But beautiful designs and magazine clout don’t always translate to durable, quality construction that justifies the cost. So let’s analyze whether Shashi’s craftsmanship and materials can withstand regular wear.

Quality & Craftsmanship: How Well is Shashi Jewelry Constructed?

As I’ve expanded my Shashi collection over the years to over two dozen pieces, I’ve had the opportunity to closely evaluate everything from simple brass stacking bands with enamel stones to gold plated solid sterling silver statement earrings accented with gemstones.

Across the board, construction and assembly are precise thanks no doubt to the ethical handcrafting process. Whether examining the post soldering on their hoops or the bead links on layered necklaces, the detail work delivers on quality. Jump rings and loop closures are sturdy across chains, charms hang straight and even, and gemstones are securely bezel set into place rather than glued.

For instance, their Aditi short pendant necklace features vibrant cobalt enamel beads linked between 14k gold fill brass chains. After 3 years of intermittent wear, links move fluidly and brightly colored surfaces show no signs of tarnishing or dents.

Shashi’s brass pieces like this are known for featuring at least 2 microns of 14k rose, white or yellow gold plating over commercial grade C260 brass. This thickness surpasses industry standards for low cost fashion jewelry, resulting in what feels like luxury gold with no cheap tinniness. My gold plated hoops, bangles, and signet rings still shine as brilliantly today as the day I brought them home.

With that said, plating on areas prone to friction can gradually wear down over years of daily all day use. The edges of some slimmer stackable bands now reveal a peak of silver tone brass underneath after having rubbed against other jewelry hundreds of times. Rotating pieces helps slow this process so you can enjoy the beautiful gold tones for as long as possible.

For silver pieces, Shashi employs ethical sterling silver sourced from recycled materials. Lifetime guarantees against tarnishing lends confidence to investing in these higher end items like their tennis bracelets and pearl accented designs. So far my sterling pieces have maintained their bright white patina even on areas prone to tarnishing like clasps and jumps rings. Ethics and quality go hand and hand with Shashi.

By avoiding cheap alloys and plastics in favor of better materials and precision construction, Shashi jewelry purchases feel like wise investments rather than temporary fashion statements. Their conscious efforts towards ethical handcrafting based on global artisan techniques shines through with each exceptionally made piece.

Design & Style – Global Appeal Meets Personal Flair

Another reason I’ve come back to Shashi again and again over the years comes down to their exceptionally diverse catalog spanning stylings from delicately feminine to bold and colorful statement-making. Global cultural influences fuse with of-the-moment trends for a uniquely tailored, jet-set vibe.

Top sellers include:

• Stackable thin bands and eternity rings with turquoise enamel or hammered textures
• Rainbow bright friendship bracelets bedecked with faceted crystal and enameled beads
• Chunky chain necklaces dripping with evil eye and hamsa charms in Shashi’s signature yellow gold or rosy pinks
• Hoops ranging from slim huggies to shoulder dusting bamboo shapes

The common thread is easy mix and matchability. Despite the vast selection, a cohesive bohemian aesthetic makes transitioning from workdays to weekends seamless. The line also frequently refreshed with new seasonal colors that keep staple silhouettes feeling current.

I especially appreciate that the designs remain artsy and intriguing without venturing into juvenile or twee territory. Shashi strikes a perfect balance of global eclecticness with enough refinement for adult sensibilities. Professional enough for the office yet playful enough for everyday.

Beyond the diversity across categories like earrings, necklaces and bracelets live thoughtful standalone pieces and sets ideal for self-purchases or gifting.

For instance, the Samira necklace and Stud Set couples a solid 14k gold plated lariat necklace with complementing textured hoops. Meanwhile their tractor bracelet set packs three slim bands with evil eyes and eclectic charms perfect for stacking. Through sets and thoughtful pairings, the focus stays on crafting curations ideal for every personal style.

After years of expanding my collection, I’ve yet to exhaust the possibilities. Shashi gives you the tools to keep your look evolving no matter the occasion or outfit.

Value & Cost – Justifying the Investment

When I first discovered Shashi jewelry back in 2017, the abstract mix of hammered metals, regional charms, and bright colors captured my imagination. But the costs caused hesitation. Were these fashion-forward pieces priced way above their true value simply due to a temporary trend?

To gauge the price to quality ratio, let’s examine some examples. One of Shashi’s newest collections titled Taj features solid sterling silver necklaces, earrings and bracelets accented with rainbow hued gems and pearls. The intricately beaded Simran Statement Necklace from this line costs $298.

While nearly $300 may sound steep for an accessory from a contemporary fashion brand, comparing construction, materials and craftsmanship against legacy luxury retailers tells another story.

Tiffany’s is iconic for exceptionally made diamond, gold and sterling silver designs that convey timeless sophistication. Their Atlas Pierced Pendant in sterling silver features a simple rounded disc with a carved linear design near the bail. Devoid of any stones, enameling or beading, this basic necklace asks $225.

So for $75 more, Shashi provides a fully hand-beaded statement piece plated in precious metals made sustainably and ethically. Suddenly nearly $300 feels like an outstanding deal for such artistry.

While Shashi’s brass collections with vermeil gold plating offer more budget friendly options starting around $65, even these feature standout details punching far above cost. Dainty yet substantial feeling manages to co-exist thanks to precision crafting of chain links, jump rings and metalwork.

Of course ephemeral trends always pose risks when investing in jewelry. But Shashi’s dedication to ethical production and time-honored techniques used globally for centuries roots them in long-term staying power no matter how the winds of fashion change. Their high-design pieces feel akin to heirlooms destined to live on for years to come.

After half a decade building a considerable Shashi collection, I can definitively say the price-to-value ratio is exceptional. Where other brands cut costs with cheap alloys and hardware prone to damage, Shashi remains committed to quality. You undoubtedly get what you pay for – and then some when it comes to their breathtaking global designs.

How Has My Shashi Jewelry Held Up Over the Years?

As someone especially tough on my jewelry due to an active lifestyle, no item avoids wear and tear with daily use. But as my Shashi pieces have accumulated their share of dents, tarnishes and scratches with time, theyveis also routinely surprised me with resilience.

Around three years ago, the screw back unexpectedly detached from one of my miniscule huggie hoops. Rather than chucking and replacing the earring as I had with other brands in the past, I reached out to Shashi customer service. They not only overnighted a replacement backing free of charge, but also provided a prepaid label to return the damaged posts back to their Brooklyn studio.

Their expert jewelers carefully examined the issue, reshaped the posts, then sent back the revived pair good as new. I appreciated that rather than assuming damage stemmed from a defect on their part, they took the time to properly diagnose and resolve the problem. This level of care demonstrates a commitment to quality and sustainability not always present with fast fashion.

Beyond this incident, Iictie expected signs of aging like small dents in metal bezels or the slight darkening of ultra thin vermeil plating around edges. But no tarnishing or broken clasps as I might expect from so-called ‘affordable’ brands trying to cut corners.

By avoiding nickel and lead, two common allergens and irritants prevalent in cheap jewelry, Shashi also minimizes skin reactions. I have a nickel sensitivity that often leaves me with rashes from low quality metals. But after thousands of hours wearing bracelets, rings and necklaces directly against my skin over the years, I’ve yet to have a single reaction to Shashi. My dermatologist even remarked at how healthy and clear my skin now appears around my wrists and neck compared to past irritation from other jewelry brands.

So not only does Shashi stand the test of time aesthetically, their dedication to ethical, hypoallergenic materials lends additional confidence to making these pieces part of your everyday uniform. Despite daily exposure to sunscreens, perfumes, makeup, and sweat that can degrade metals, they continue dazzling brilliantly with minimal care.

5 Key Takeaways After Wearing Shashi Jewelry for Years

If it wasn’t obvious yet, I’m unequivocally a Shashi brand loyalist for life. But hopefully breaking down my experiences wearing multiple pieces over an extended timeframe lends helpful unbiased insights into whether these globally glam accessories warrant investment.

Here are my core learnings after having a considerable Shashi collection in rotation for over 5 years:

Handcrafted Quality – From precise bead linkage on dainty necklaces to secure prong settings on gemstone adorned rings, construction is remarkable across price tiers. Careful attention ensures longevity not always expected from trendy brands.

Artistry & Craftsmanship – Shashi feels akin to wearing mini sculptures versus mere accessories thanks to meticulous detailing. Alongside material integrity, this artisan approach makes their jewelry feel special and collectible rather than disposable.

Ethical Sourcing – Shashi utilizes recycled metals, conflict-free stones, and sustainable production methods. Pieces feel substantial, hypoallergenic and made to last thanks to sourcing only premium quality components.

Value – Dollar for dollar, Shashi provides exceptional sophistication through delicate chains, vibrant enamel, and hand hammering. Price tags reasonably reflect extra efforts towards socially responsible businesses practices and refuse to cut corners.

Wearability – The brand beautifully straddles versatility between refined enough for special events yet relaxed enough for everyday wear. Chic global designs outside of mass market trends lend an intriguing edge.

So if you find yourself similarly wowed by Shashi’s Tassel Chokers, Linen Tassel Necklaces or Diamond Bezel Bracelets, rest assured the quality and integrity stands the test of extended wear. Their dedication towards excellence and sustainability is palpable across every exquisitely hand-finished piece.