Brilliant Earth vs. Gorjana 2026 Comparison

Bottom Line Up Front

If you’re shopping for gold jewelry online, you’ve probably come across both Brilliant Earth and Gorjana.

Here’s the first thing to know. These two brands focus on different kinds of jewelry. Brilliant Earth makes fine jewelry. Every necklace, bracelet, ring, and pair of earrings is solid gold, platinum, or silver, and often set with genuine diamonds and gemstones. Most of what Gorjana sells is 18K gold plated over brass, and it also has a smaller fine line in solid gold.

That difference in materials is where I’d start, because it changes what you’re actually buying. Solid gold is gold all the way through, so it holds up for years. Gold plating is a thin layer of gold over another metal, and that layer wears off over time. I’ll explain more about what that means in a minute.

There’s one more thing worth knowing up front. Brilliant Earth sells loose certified diamonds and lets you build an engagement ring around the one you pick. Gorjana doesn’t.

For fine jewelry and engagement rings, I point people to Brilliant Earth. Let me walk you through how the two compare in more detail below.

Here’s What We’ll Cover:

• Quick Comparison
• Fine Jewelry vs. Fashion Jewelry
• Diamonds and Engagement Rings
• The Shopping Experience
• Sourcing and Ethics
• Value
• The Verdict: Brilliant Earth vs. Gorjana
• FAQs

Quick Comparison

Fine Jewelry vs. Fashion Jewelry

Let’s start with the jewelry itself, since that’s what most people are here for.

Brilliant Earth is a fine jewelry brand through and through. Every necklace, bracelet, ring, and pair of earrings is made with about 99% repurposed, solid precious metals.

Gorjana focuses on fashion jewelry. Most of what Gorjana sells is 18K gold plated over brass. Gorjana also has a smaller fine line in solid 14K and 18K gold.

Now let me explain why that matters.

Solid gold is gold all the way through. It keeps its color and lasts long enough to become a family heirloom.

Gold plating is different. It’s a thin layer of gold over a base metal like brass. That layer is very thin, so over time it wears off, usually somewhere between 6 months and 2 years (not specific to Gorjana jewelry). The spots you touch most go first. Once the base metal shows through, it can tarnish.

So the two brands fit different needs. Gorjana’s plated jewelry costs less up front but doesn’t last as long. Brilliant Earth’s solid gold and platinum jewelry is built to last, but it costs more up front. It comes down to what you want out of the jewelry.

Diamonds and Engagement Rings

Most people comparing these two are shopping for jewelry, not a diamond engagement ring. But it’s worth a quick look, because this is a real gap.

Brilliant Earth sells loose diamonds, and a lot of them. They carry 300,000+ lab grown diamonds and 100,000+ natural diamonds, all certified by GIA or IGI. You pick the exact stone by cut, color, clarity, and carat, then build a ring around it from hundreds of settings. That’s how I always tell people to buy a diamond. See it, compare it, then set it.

Gorjana sells its diamonds already set. You’ll find wedding bands and a few diamond rings in the fine line. What you won’t find is loose diamonds or a build-your-own engagement ring with a center stone you choose.

The Shopping Experience

Here’s another way the two differ.

At Brilliant Earth, you get one-on-one help. You can walk right in or book an appointment ahead of time, and either way you work with a jewelry specialist. They pull jewelry, walk you through settings, and can answer whatever questions you have. Want to shop from your couch instead? You can do the whole thing online with 360-degree images, or book a video appointment. Brilliant Earth has 40+ stores across the US.

I’ve also walked into a lot of jewelry stores over the years, and the ones that stick with me are the ones where nobody rushes you. That’s how Brilliant Earth works.

Gorjana works differently. It has more stores, with 120+ across the US, plus its jewelry in other stores like Nordstrom. Gorjana stores are set up for walk-in shopping. You browse the jewelry, and staff are there to help and ring you up. Gorjana doesn’t use the appointment-and-specialist model that Brilliant Earth does.

So if you like to pop in, look around, and grab something, Gorjana has plenty of locations for that. If you’d rather sit down with someone and take your time on a jewelry purchase, that’s Brilliant Earth.

Value

Let’s talk about what your money buys, because that’s the real question.

At Brilliant Earth, you’re paying for solid gold or platinum and genuine diamonds. Solid gold holds its color, and it holds its value. Prices are listed right on the site, so there’s no sale cycle to time.

Gorjana costs less. Its jewelry starts around $30, and most of it stays under $100. That lower price comes from plated jewelry, a thin layer of gold over brass.

For the lowest price, that’s Gorjana. For jewelry you want to last, Brilliant Earth gives you more for your money.

The Verdict: Brilliant Earth vs. Gorjana

These two brands are good at different things.

Brilliant Earth is the one I point people to for fine jewelry. Every necklace, bracelet, ring, and pair of earrings is solid gold, platinum, or silver, often set with genuine diamonds or gemstones, and made to last. Brilliant Earth also sells loose certified diamonds and builds engagement rings, which Gorjana doesn’t. And you get real one-on-one help, whether you walk in or book ahead.

Gorjana sells fashion jewelry at lower prices, mostly 18K gold plated over brass, across 120+ walk-in stores.

I’ve been steering readers toward Brilliant Earth for a long time. For fine jewelry and diamonds, this comparison is a good example of why.

Visit brilliantearth.com to see their full fine jewelry, diamond, and engagement ring selection.

FAQs

Is Brilliant Earth or Gorjana better for fine jewelry?

For fine jewelry, I’d go with Brilliant Earth. Every Brilliant Earth necklace, bracelet, ring, and pair of earrings is solid gold or platinum set with genuine diamonds. Gorjana sells mostly fashion jewelry that is 18K gold plated over brass, plus a smaller solid-gold fine line.

What is the difference between Brilliant Earth and Gorjana jewelry?

The main difference is the metal. Brilliant Earth makes solid gold and platinum jewelry, which is gold all the way through. Most Gorjana jewelry is 18K gold plated over brass, which is a thin layer of gold over a base metal. Gorjana also has a smaller solid-gold fine line.

Do Brilliant Earth and Gorjana use solid gold?

Yes, both do. Brilliant Earth makes all of its jewelry in solid gold or platinum. Gorjana uses solid 14K and 18K gold in its fine line, and most of its other jewelry is 18K gold plated over brass.

Are Brilliant Earth’s diamonds certified?

Yes. All of Brilliant Earth’s loose diamonds are certified by GIA or IGI, and some are also graded by GCAL or HRD. That paperwork confirms the cut, color, clarity, and carat of your stone. Gorjana sets diamonds in its fine jewelry and does not sell loose certified diamonds.

Do Brilliant Earth and Gorjana have physical stores?

Yes, both do. Brilliant Earth has 40+ stores where you can walk in or book an appointment and work with a jewelry specialist. Gorjana has 120+ walk-in stores for browsing its jewelry.

Can you book an appointment at Brilliant Earth or Gorjana?

Brilliant Earth offers appointments and Gorjana is walk-in. At Brilliant Earth you can walk in or book ahead and work one-on-one with a jewelry specialist, in person or by video. Gorjana stores are set up for walk-in browsing.

About the author

kyle Kristoffersen