It finally happened to me: I found an affordable necklace that impresses — and not just with its budget-friendly price tag.
As an avid vintage jewelry collector, I rarely warm up to “fast fashion” pieces. After all, they’re priced a certain way for a reason — and that reason is usually cheap quality that tarnishes, breaks easily or leaves your skin green.
You can imagine my surprise when I stumbled across the Pavoi North Star Pendant Necklace and smashed the “Add to Cart” button. Here’s what I think about it after nine months.
How I Ended up with This $17 Pendant Necklace
Ever love a design, and then find out there’s an actual name for the aesthetic you keep gravitating toward? That’s me, with Art Deco.
Once I figured out why I love the Empire State Building and geometric rings with bezel settings (as well as a very random mid-1990s Erté Porcelain Barbie Doll), I began searching for Art Deco-inspired jewelry. I’ll emphasize “inspired,” mostly because original Art Deco pieces are, unsurprisingly, pricey.
My next stop? Amazon, of course. Within my search results was the Pavoi North Star Necklace, a simple design that reminded me of the geometric stars and sunbursts I’ve grown to love. Priced just under $17 with 14K gold plating, I ordered the necklace to see whether the pictures did it justice.
Pavoi North Star Pendant Necklace
Top Features of the Pavoi North Star Necklace
Elegant Design
The Pavoi Necklace, which I ordered in yellow gold tone, has an engraved design and tiny cubic zirconia set in the middle. As far as pendant necklaces go, this Pavoi piece finds balance in being trendy (think: layered necklaces) while having a simple, classic look. Overall, it has a clean, refined appearance that lends itself to versatile styling.
The necklace looks delicate, given the thin chain and diminutive oval pendant that measures a mere 6 x 8 millimeters. Yes, it’s quite small, and many reviews indicated that it was much smaller than expected. It’s a fair assessment.
But after putting it on, I realized that if the pendant was any larger, it would take away from its natural beauty. Instead, it has understated elegance. The tiny oval, with a whisper of a sparkle, is just enough to look real.
Durability
Generally speaking, the necklace is well-made and hasn’t quit on me like other inexpensive pieces I’ve had.
Nine months later, the clasp still works great, the link hasn’t gotten any weird kinks and the pendant is well secured with a thick, reinforced loop. The gold plating is in pristine condition, too. I’ve even sprayed my decollete with perfume and worn body lotion, and still, the necklace has yet to discolor.
With that said, the chain is rather thin. Obviously, it doesn’t have the rugged durability you might expect from a chunky figaro. While the necklace is suitable for everyday use, I wouldn’t necessarily wear it to go clothes shopping in case it snags.
Gift-Ready Packaging
Normally, I’m not a fan of gifting fast-fashion jewelry to anyone other than children and teenagers. The Pavoi North Star Pendant Necklace, however, is a real contender.
It comes neatly packaged in a little black box with Pavoi branding that almost gives the necklace something of a high-end feel. I’ll say the quiet part out loud: You can give it as a gift, and the presentation makes the necklace look way more expensive than it is.
Specifications
- Length: Adjustable 18” chain.
- Pendant Size: 6 x 8 millimeters.
- Material: 14K yellow-gold plated over metal.
- Closure: Lobster clasp.
- Packaging: Branded gift box.
- Other Options: Also available in 14K white-gold and rose-gold plating.
Pros
- Versatile style can be worn on its own or part of a layered look.
- Adjustable slipknot chain style allows for custom length.
- Neatly packaged in a branded gift box, making it suitable for gifting.
- Cubic zirconia detail is small enough where it doesn’t appear chincey.
Cons
- Closure can slide to the front of the necklace toward the pendant.
- Pendant is extremely small at 6 x 8 millimeters.
- Closure sometimes catches baby hairs at the base of the neck.
Standout Feature: Adjustable Chain
Pavoi gives this necklace (and a few others in its collection) a unique adjustable feature. It’s not your run-of-the-mill chain link extension, either. Instead, the lobster clasp is attached to a sliding bead that glides up and down the 18” chain.
If you want the versatility to don a choker one day and a mid-length necklace the next, you’re covered. Best of all, you can adjust the length while you wear it. And yes, it stays in place all day because the sliding bead, somehow, stabilizes itself.
The one thing you should know about the adjustable chain, however, is that the shorter you make it, the longer the “tail” of the necklace gets. I have long hair, so when I wear it down, the tail sometimes tangles with a few strands near the back of my neck. It’s definitely not causing major damage to the point it’s a deal-breaker, though.
Pavoi North Star Pendant Necklace
In My Expert Opinion: Is the Pavoi North Star Pendant Necklace Worth It?
All things considered, I couldn’t be happier with my Pavoi North Star Pendant Necklace. It’s the everyday piece I’ve been searching for, and yet, the versatility doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s a unique piece. In fact, I get more compliments on this necklace than my real jewelry — and that’s saying something.
Whether you’re buying it to treat yourself or someone else, rest assured that any recipient will be delighted with their new accessory.
