Editors

I Tried Out Rocksbox’s Jewelry Rental Service

EditorsDec 14, 2021

I Tried Out Rocksbox’s Jewelry Rental Service

Associate Editor Lenore Fedow tested out the jewelry rental platform’s subscription service. Here’s what she thought.

Rocksbox header.jpg
After being gifted a three-month trial membership, Associate Editor Lenore Fedow tested out Rocksbox, a jewelry rental subscription service. Below, she shares her thoughts about the service and jewelry rental in general.
One of the most amazing perks of my job is all the beautiful jewelry I get to wear, if only for a moment. I often daydream about some of the gorgeous gems that have graced my wrists and fingers.

The worst part of my job is handing the jewelry back, knowing I could sell everything I own and still not have enough to make some of these pieces mine.

I have a beautiful personal jewelry collection, consisting of pieces that are priceless to me, but I like to switch up my look now and then. My bank account likes that a little less.

Jewelry rental was an intriguing option, especially after I hosted a webinar with Gina Gorman, the vice president of marketing at jewelry rental service Rocksbox, which Signet Jewelers acquired this past spring.

Following our discussion, Gorman kindly sent me a code to test out Rocksbox for free for three months.

Sensing the start of a great opinion piece, I accepted and signed up for the service. Here’s how it went.

Signing Up

Rocksbox allows subscribers to rent different pieces of jewelry every month, swapping out their picks for something new the following month or buying the pieces.

For $21 per month, subscribers can rent up to three pieces for as long as they like and choose to purchase them at a discounted price any time during the rental period. The $21 can be used as a credit toward the purchase.

The sign-up process was straightforward.

After sharing my basic details and credit card information, I took a quiz to set up my style profile, answering questions about the type of jewelry I wear, metal preferences, the styles I like, and my ring size.

I particularly appreciated getting asked about the type of jewelry I wear, since I save bracelets for special occasions only. The tap of them against my desk as I type drives me up the wall, not to mention the scratches.

Based on my answers, Rocksbox selected the three pieces pictured below for me.

20211214_1-Rocksbox.jpg

The choices didn’t quite fit my style, save for the minimalist ring in the center. I’m not a huge fan of pavé and I’m too superstitious for opal earrings.

However, you can preview your set and swap out pieces you don’t like.

Rocksbox tells you how long you have to make new choices and sends an email reminder as well.

So, I browsed Rocksbox’s collection, adding pieces to my wishlist, which is a collection of your favorites.

There are a lot of filters available when you’re searching, including by jewelry type and designer, or by category, like “celestial and spiritual” and “gender fluid.”

I also received a $5 permanent credit for adding 30 pieces to my wishlist.

I picked out my first pieces and waited for my box.

20211214_2-Rocksbox.jpg
These were my picks for the first delivery of Rocksbox rental jewelry.

As I impatiently monitored my tracking number, I saw I only had a handful of days left to use my monthly credit, which seemed odd since I had just signed up.

I will share a word to the wise here—sign up and pick your pieces at the beginning of the month, not the end like I did. The Rocksbox rental cycle ends at the end of the calendar month, regardless of when you sign up.

I signed up and placed my order on Sept. 23. Following a delay with USPS, I received my first box the night of Sept. 30.

I hadn’t even tried any of the pieces on yet and my credit was set to expire the next day.

During my complimentary trial membership, I returned all of the jewelry and did not use any of the credit gifted to me, but for a regular customer, I imagine this would be frustrating.

On to the jewelry!

My First Box

One of modern life’s simple pleasures is having a package waiting for you when you get home.

My Rocksbox order came in a cute box, with my jewelry picks wrapped up neatly inside individual drawstring bags.


I chose an 18-karat gold-plated over silver pendant necklace by Luv AJ x Rocksbox, a pair of 18-karat gold-plated over silver hoops from Rocksbox’s demi-fine collection, and the “Ainsley” ring in gold over brass by Aster.

The necklace was one of the priciest options available, but it wasn’t my favorite. The look of it, perhaps because of the crystal in the center, struck me as costume jewelry, despite it technically being demi-fine.

I enjoyed wearing the ring and the simple gold hoops. As someone with sensitive ears, or “snob’s ear” as my mother lovingly called them, the earrings didn’t bother me at all.

All in all, I was happy with my jewelry choices.

The Return Process

An easy returns process is sometimes the deciding factor in my purchase-making decisions, especially when it comes to online shopping.

Rocksbox includes a pre-paid return label in your box and its shipping envelope is reusable.

This is a very minor thing, but the original labels on the envelope are so easy to remove. There was no need to scrape them off with my fingernails or pick them off in tiny, annoying pieces.

 Related stories will be right here … 

The only downside is that Rocksbox uses USPS, which I find to be the least user-friendly and slowest of all the shipping options.

As much as I appreciate our postal workers, I don’t enjoy having to go to the post office, even if it’s just once a month. (This may be more my problem than Rocksbox’s problem.)

A Hiccup

A day or so after returning my first box, with all the jewelry inside, I received an invoice for the Aster ring.

20211214_5-Rocksbox.jpg
This is the “Aster” ring in question.

I had been careful with my jewelry, setting it back in its box each night.

When it was time to send it back, I packed it up meticulously in all the bubble wrap, bags, and boxes it came in, double-checked the package, and sent it on its way.

I was positive I had sent the ring back, so I called Rocksbox to clear up the situation.

The woman I spoke to was patient and kind, listening to my story and looking up my account information.

She refunded my card and put the credits back in my account on the spot without any fuss.

Pleasant experiences with customer service can be few and far between, so I’m awarding Rocksbox bonus points for its handling of this situation.

Onto the next box

Rocksbox’s next suggestions for me were much closer to my style, with the help of my filled-up wishlist.

20211214_6-Rocksbox.jpg
These were Rocksbox’s October choices for me.

I love big hoop earrings, so the “Maggie” filigree hoops in 14-karat gold-plated over brass by Kendra Scott fit the bill perfectly.

Though returned, I loved these so much I’ve added them to my Christmas list.

20211214_7-Rocksbox.jpg
The “Maggie” filigree hoops from Kendra Scott

I was interested in trying more pieces from Rocksbox’s demi-fine collection, so the 18-karat gold-plated over sterling silver ring with baguette crystals was also a good choice.

The necklace wasn’t quite what I was looking for, however, so I swapped it out for the “Wishes” evil eye heart pendant by Kate Spade in gold over brass with cubic zirconia accents. 

The pendant was another favorite of mine and was included in my letter to Santa this year. It’s currently sold out on Kate Spade’s website, so I must be one of many admirers.

This box, possibly my favorite of them all, was returned without incident, and I happily awaited my next one.

More Jewelry

Rocksbox’s suggestions for me in November were spot on, with every pick directly from my wish list.

20211214_11-Rocksbox.jpg
These were Rocksbox’s November suggestions for me.

Ordinarily, I would’ve kept all these choices, but I had a 1920s-themed wedding to attend and I had a specific idea of what I wanted.

Rocksbox allows you to upload a photo of an outfit so a stylist can work around that. I did upload a picture of a similar dress to mine, but I don’t know if it went through as I didn’t receive a confirmation or acknowledgement.

It was a formal affair, so I wanted to add a little class to my emerald-green gown.

20211214_12-Rocksbox.jpg
I chose these Sophie Harper pieces to match my dress.

All the pieces I chose were by Sophie Harper, which was a happy coincidence.

I picked a cluster ring in 14-karat gold over brass with CZ.

I wore a one-shoulder dress, and the “Flower Station” necklace, also 14-karat gold over brass with CZ stones, looked stunning, if I do say so myself. 

This is a snobby thing to say, but sometimes cubic zirconia jewelry can give off that “cheap” vibe. But Sophie Harper’s pieces were so far from that. They’re elegant and fit right in next to my personal fine jewelry pieces.


I also chose the baguette drop huggie earrings in gold over brass with an emerald-colored stone.

These were gorgeous and matched the dress perfectly, but wow were these hard to get on!

I don’t wear a lot of huggie earrings, and I do have long acrylic nails, but I managed all the other clasps and closures just fine.

I would’ve worn these a lot more often during my rental period, but it was too much of a hassle to put them on.

Final Thoughts

I genuinely enjoyed my Rocksbox subscription.

The $21 per month price tag may not fit into every budget, but when I think of what I must waste $21+ on each month, the subscription price doesn’t seem so steep.

As someone who tends to save up for fine jewelry, and therefore only gets new things once in a while, it was fun to get a handful of new pieces to wear each month.

I think it’s a great option for someone who wants to try a new look or style, but maybe doesn’t want to, or can’t afford to, buy the fine jewelry version.

The pieces Rocksbox stocks are on-trend, whether you’re looking for mixed metals or chunky chains.

It has some cute seasonal options too, like spooky Halloween earrings or sparkly Christmas jewels.

The only downside was, as I previously mentioned, how its rental calendar works. 

It’s possible I missed it when reading through the website, but I think it should be made abundantly clear that you don’t get a full month out of your subscription unless you sign up early in the month.

If I had paid for my membership out of pocket rather than using a free trial, I’d have been annoyed.

For now, I’ve put my membership on hold, but I’m considering asking Santa to gift me a subscription. Considering all the supply chain issues, a gift card is probably easier to fit in the sleigh.

I’ll let you know what I find under my tree. 

The Latest

GIA iD100® Technology
Supplier BulletinJul 03, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

Madison Keys in Brilliant Earth campaign
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Brilliant Earth Names Tennis Star Madison Keys as Its New Ambassador

The 2025 Australian Open champion is the jewelry brand’s first athlete ambassador.

Muse Nordstrom shop-in-shop
MajorsJul 03, 2025
Muse Sets Up Shop in Nordstrom’s New Jewelry Hall

The West Village jewelry boutique’s new shop-in-shop is the cornerstone of Nordstrom’s revamped jewelry hall.

an instructor and a student in a bench jewelry classroom
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench Jewelers

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Shree Ramkrishna Exports
SourcingJul 03, 2025
SRK Announces Its Natural Diamonds Are Now Carbon-Negative

This past year, the manufacturer said it recorded below-zero emissions per carat of natural diamond.

Weekly QuizJul 02, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Yeprem Golden Strada Statement Necklace
CollectionsJul 03, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Firework of Diamonds From Yeprem

The brand’s “Golden Strada” statement necklace features round, marquise, and pear diamonds that sparkle like Fourth of July fireworks.

Stock image of police cars with their lights on
CrimeJul 03, 2025
JSA Shares Holiday Weekend Security Tips Amid Spike in Burglaries

JSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.

Jewelers of America logo with meetup, State of the Majors, giveaway and massages
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

Exterior and entryway of Boucheron’s Los Angeles Flagship
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Boucheron Looks to LA for First West Coast Flagship

Located on Rodeo Drive, the store’s design was inspired by Hollywood and Los Angeles culture.

Exterior of Marco Bicego Milan Flagship
MajorsJul 02, 2025
Marco Bicego Opens Milan Flagship

The new location continues the brand’s celebration of its 25th anniversary.

Chrono24 Time Is Our Thing campaign image
WatchesJul 02, 2025
Chrono24 Revamps Brand, Launches New Campaign

The online watch marketplace’s “Time Is Our Thing” campaign highlights the importance of time.

Bernadette Mack
SourcingJul 02, 2025
Bernadette Mack Joins Gem Legacy as Executive Director

She will oversee strategic planning, fundraising, industry partnerships, and the launch of the Gem Legacy Campus in Tanzania.

Counterfeit Pandora jewelry in bags and boxes
CrimeJul 02, 2025
Pandora, Amazon Partner to Uncover Counterfeit Jewelry Network

Working with Amazon’s Counterfeit Crimes Unit and law enforcement, Pandora helped to shut down a large-scale counterfeit network in China.

Cast Issa Rae
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Cast Closes Business, Plans for Relaunch

The jewelry company has closed its three California brick-and-mortar stores, as well as its online shop, for now.

Eve Goldberg, Matthew Denatale, Willie Lopez, Benjamin Goldberg
Events & AwardsJul 01, 2025
William Goldberg Diamonds, FIT Partner for Apprenticeship Program

The company is providing the opportunity for an FIT student to work alongside master diamond cutter Willie Lopez in its workshop.

Elie Hannoush
IndependentsJul 01, 2025
Elie Hannoush, Founder of Hannoush Jewelers, Dies at 73

He is remembered for his successful entrepreneurship, generosity, and dedication to his family.

Claire’s store
MajorsJul 01, 2025
Claire’s Is Looking for a Buyer, Report Says

The jewelry store chain has reportedly been struggling with costs related to tariffs as well as tough retail competition.

Mindi Mond Spike Earrings
TrendsJul 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Red Hot Rubies

Welcome warm summer days with red hot rubies perfectly chosen as July’s birthstone.

The Story of Everything Campaign, Toadstool Mushroom and Cosmic Egg
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’

Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.

Smart Age Solutions CEO Emmanuel Raheb
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry Sales

The best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.

Morgan Keefe
Events & AwardsJun 30, 2025
AGA Names Recipient of 2025 Gemological Education Scholarship

This year’s winner is Morgan Keefe, who is currently studying at GIA to be a gemologist.

The Jewelry Book
IndependentsJun 30, 2025
Melanie Grant’s New Book Explores 200 Years of Jewelry

“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.

Gemist
TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech Platform

The company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.

Jeff Preolo, David Stout, Levi Higgs, David Benavides
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, Promotions

Following its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.

Blake Graham and Jessica Kohoutek
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner

AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.

Buddha Mama Monstera Ring
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap Ring

The 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.

Cashier handing Rocksbox bag to customer
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers Downsizes

Rocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy