
Aurate New York
Double Lab Grown White Sapphire Connection Necklace
Reviewed by the The Top Finds editors · How we test
You'll complete your purchase on Aurate New York's site · price checked May 20
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Best for
Someone who wants a genuinely elegant, symbolically resonant necklace with real gemstone sparkle at a fraction of diamond pricing, and who will treat it with the care vermeil deserves.
Skip if
You wear your jewelry every single day through workouts and showers and refuse to take it off — solid gold is worth saving up for.
Price tier
Luxury
$328
The verdict
A genuinely distinctive piece from one of our favorite ethical jewelers: two interlocking gold loops set with lab-grown white sapphires on both sides, at a price that would buy you approximately one-tenth of a comparable diamond necklace.
What we love
- Lab-grown white sapphires are real gemstones, not simulants — ethical and visually clean
- Stones set on both front and back of each loop, so it sparkles from every angle
- Aurate New York has genuine ethical credentials: recycled gold, responsible sourcing
- Double-loop design is distinctive without being trendy — it won't date quickly
- Meaningfully priced compared to equivalent diamond designs
Worth knowing
- Vermeil will show wear faster than solid gold with daily use — not pool or gym jewelry
- White sapphires lack diamond's rainbow fire; the sparkle is bright but not prismatic
- Chain length isn't specified in the listing, which matters if you're gifting
- At $328 you're paying a brand premium — comparable vermeil sapphire necklaces exist for less
Our review
What it actually looks like
The Connection Necklace is built around a concept we don't see often enough in this price range: two separate gold loops, each circled with lab-grown white sapphires, linked together. The stones wrap the front and back of each loop, so you get sparkle from every angle — a small design decision that makes a real difference when the necklace catches light as you move. The yellow gold vermeil grounds the white stones with warmth rather than letting them read cold.
Lab-grown white sapphires, honestly assessed
We want to be straight with you about what lab-grown white sapphires are and aren't. They are real sapphires — chemically and physically identical to mined ones — just grown in a controlled environment rather than pulled from the earth. The AAA grade Aurate specifies means excellent clarity and cut.
What they are not is diamonds. White sapphires have a lower refractive index than diamonds, which means less of that rainbow fire you see in diamond jewelry. What you get instead is a clean, bright white brilliance — more like a lit window than a prism. For some people, that's exactly right. For diamond maximalists, it's a real distinction worth knowing before you buy.
The vermeil question
At $328, this is priced as fine jewelry, and it carries fine-jewelry ethics — Aurate is known for recycled gold and responsible sourcing. But vermeil is gold-plated sterling silver, not solid gold. It will wear beautifully for years with normal care; it will show signs of use faster than solid 14k if you're wearing it daily through workouts, pools, and showers. That's not a defect, just the nature of vermeil at this price point. Store it in a pouch, keep it away from harsh chemicals, and it holds up.
The connection symbolism
Two loops. They link but remain distinct — which is either meaningful or beside the point depending on your relationship with jewelry symbolism. If you're buying this as a gift for a milestone (a partnership, a friendship, a mother-daughter moment), the concept lands. If you're buying it because it's a beautiful geometric necklace with good sparkle, that works too; you don't need the backstory.
Sizing and wear
The listing doesn't specify chain length, which is a minor frustration when ordering online. Aurate's necklaces typically come in adjustable lengths; we'd confirm before gifting to someone with a specific preference. The 0.03 lb weight suggests it sits light on the chest — not a heavy statement piece, more of a layering anchor or a refined everyday necklace.
Our honest take
This is a thoughtful piece from a brand we trust, at a price that makes sense for what you're getting. The double-loop design is distinctive without being costume-y. The white sapphires deliver real sparkle. The limitations are real — it's not solid gold, and it's not diamond fire — but for someone who wants ethical, intentional jewelry that reads as fine without a fine-jewelry budget, it earns its price.
Common questions
Double Lab Grown White Sapphire Connection Necklace, answered
Are lab-grown white sapphires real sapphires?
Yes. Lab-grown white sapphires are chemically and physically identical to mined sapphires — the only difference is origin. They're real corundum, not glass or cubic zirconia.
Do white sapphires look like diamonds?
They're bright and white, but not identical to diamonds. Diamonds have a higher refractive index, producing more rainbow fire and sparkle. White sapphires read as clean and brilliant — closer to a glassy white light than a prismatic shimmer. The difference is visible side by side, less obvious on its own.
What is vermeil jewelry and how long does it last?
Vermeil is gold plating (at least 2.5 microns thick) over sterling silver. With normal wear and proper care — keeping it away from water, perfume, and harsh chemicals — it can last years. It will eventually show wear in high-contact areas, unlike solid gold.
Is the Aurate Connection Necklace good for gifting?
It's a strong gift pick: the double-loop design reads as meaningful (partnership, friendship, duality), Aurate's ethical sourcing adds a talking point, and $328 lands in a sweet spot — significant without being uncomfortable.
Can I shower or swim with this necklace?
We'd skip it. Vermeil and chlorinated or salt water don't mix well long-term; repeated exposure degrades the plating faster. Remove it before pools, showers, and the gym.
How does Aurate New York compare to other fine jewelry brands?
Aurate sits in the accessible fine jewelry tier alongside Mejuri and Catbird — real metals and gemstones, ethical sourcing, no department-store markup, but not heirloom-grade solid gold. For the price point, they deliver consistently clean design and reliable quality.
Ready to buy
Double Lab Grown White Sapphire Connection Necklace
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