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As a woman-owned jewelry designer and retailer based in NYC, Catbird Jewelry has quickly become one of the most respected names in the industry. Known for their stacked ring designs and stunning pieces made from 14K gold and diamonds, Catbird Jewelry offers long-lasting glamour that is perfect for any occasion.
Join us as we explore Catbird’s exceptional design philosophy, services, and selection, and discover why this brand is one of the best in the business.
Highlights
- More than 18 years of experience designing semi-fine jewelry
- Symbolic stacked rings and dainty engagement rings
- Offers welding services for creating permanent bracelets
- All pieces are designed and produced in-house
- 95% of pieces are made from recycled 14K/18K gold
- Diamonds, gemstones, and pearls are all ethically sourced and conflict-free
- Highly accessible website and physical storefronts
- Gift Finding and in-house jewelry consultation services
- Ability to Book Virtual Appointments for styling advice and wedding jewelry consultations
- Complementary resizing for engagement rings for the first year
- Lifetime polishing and matting
The History of Catbird
In 2004, Rony Vardi had a dream and a small storefront in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Fast forward a few years and her vision became the Catbird brand, which has taken the jewelry world by storm. With a team of over 100 people and a second store in Soho, Manhattan, Catbird is a designer brand that has become a household name.
But it all started with Rony’s unique sense of design and the exceptional quality of her pieces. She began selling her own clothes and jewelry, alongside pieces from other chosen designers, before eventually opening a dedicated storefront for jewelry in 2006. Catbird quickly gained momentum, and it’s not hard to see why.
From knockout knuckle rings to sizzling stacked rings, Catbird’s exquisite earrings and 14K gold jewelry have gained a huge following and have been featured in prestigious publications such as Vogue, ELLE, and Insider.
But Catbird is more than just a jewelry brand. They also offer home and beauty items like fragrances, candles, and other unique tidbits. And the company is committed to giving back, with a dedicated charity fund that has donated over $1.8 million to organizations such as Planned Parenthood, ACLU, and local charities.
It’s no wonder that Catbird has become a member of the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America and is a part of organizations like No Dirty Gold and Made in New York. From a small storefront in Brooklyn to a thriving designer brand, Catbird continues to set the standard for exceptional quality and design in the jewelry industry.
Focus on Sustainability and Community
Aware of the impact they have on the environment and the community, Catbird has set the perfect example for future jewelry brands. They always resort to recycled 14K gold jewelry and ensure the remainder of their gold, diamonds, and gemstones are ethically sourced and lab-grown.
Catbird also takes care of its 100+ employees, offering them the most optimal working conditions and employee benefits. They also highlight other local businesses and organize regular events to create a tight bond with their customers and employees.
Focus on Accessibility and Customer Satisfaction
Catbird is constantly striving to improve customer experience and satisfaction. Their website has a fully-fledged accessibility setting by AccessiBe and the online storefront is well-optimized for different regions. They go so far as to offer blog guides and an option for international buyers to switch prices to their preferred currency.
That said, if you don’t prefer ordering online, you can always head to their flagship store in Williamsburg or the second branch in Soho to partake in the definitive Catbird experience. Their customer service team is always available to chat and if you visit in person, you can get a salesperson to help you find the perfect piece.
Catbird has several positive reviews from independent reviewers and hundreds of positive reviews on Yelp.
Here’s what some of their customers say:
“This is such a cute place if you’re wanting to find something special with a bff. I went here to get a forever bracelet. They’re so cute! The aesthetic in there is so nice and the customer service is amazing! The whole process itself was so fast too.”
“I was in the market for a gold bangle and most of them were too thick and heavy looking. I got the threadbare bangle (6.5″) and am so happy with my purchase. I love the minimalist look and that I can barely feel it on my wrist. I can’t wait to add two more in the future!”
What You Can Expect to Buy from Catbird
Even if Catbird started out specializing in stacked rings, they also boast a wide collection of earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and charms. On top of the intricate 14K gold base alloy, they also incorporate gemstones, diamonds, and even pearls.
Let’s go through some of their most iconic design pieces along with the conventional options.
1. Get Zapped Forever Bracelets
Currently, Catbird is leading with their trademarked Forever Bracelets with a campaign titled “Get Zapped.” These are exclusively carried out via appointment and the process includes soldering a permanent bracelet of your choice.
Compatible bracelets are offered in either white, yellow, or rose gold. Caratage is 14K with prices starting at $144. For an extra fee, you can incorporate letters, diamonds, stars, and heart shapes into the bracelet itself.
2. Stacked Rings
As the de facto trendsetter for stacked rings, you can never go wrong with their “Anatomy of a stack” guide and collection.
Here you can find made-to-order and ready-to-ship stacked rings of various designs and sizes. Knuckle rings are also available here.
In this section, prices average around $100 per ring and several allow monogramming or switching up the gold alloy.
Klarna financing is also supported, making it more than easier to “build up a stack.” We recommend starting out with a Full Tomboy or Grand Cygnet as a base and stacking up as you see fit.
3. Wedding and Engagement Rings
Since they’ve already set up a dedicated Wedding Annex, Catbird has a special section for wedding and engagement rings.
Here, you can browse their signature Swan Collection which either features a solitaire or triple stones with a claw-prong setting. From this collection, we just can’t get enough of the “Leda the Swan,” which we wholeheartedly recommend
In addition to that, they’ve also got traditional engagement rings, wedding bands, and a home Try-on Kit. The Try-on Kit comes with three separate sterling silver rings and helps you get a feel for a 14K gold wedding band before you go through with a purchase. And last but not least, you can book a ring consultant or check out their detailed guides on purchasing Catbird-style wedding jewelry.
4. Gifts and Gift Cards
Catbird also has several options for customizable gift cards and novelty gifts. Celebrating someone’s birthday or graduation? Catbird has several sections showcasing timely gifts, including jewelry, chocolates, and other bits and baubles.
They also offer gift sets, gift-wrapping services, quizzes, forms, and consultations for these kinds of scenarios. So if you’re ever stumped or rushing to get something for a loved one, Catbird will definitely oblige.
Besides these, Catbird also sells home and beauty items along with a handful of jewelry collaborations with celebrities such as Phoebe Bridgers, Cassi Namoda, and Leith Clark.
What to Consider
Catbird Jewelry is a reliable place to purchase 14K semi-fine jewelry. They’ve got a neat collection of pieces that are designed and fabricated in-house. Here’s what to consider if you’re looking to buy jewelry from Catbird.
1. Jewelry Purchasing Guides
Apart from running a blog on its website, Catbird has an extremely well-detailed FAQ and several guides to introduce beginners to its iconic pieces.
These are well-designed and would help a beginner to get to know the different alloys, sizes, and aftercare procedures. On top of that, they have a clear guide outlining their warranty policies and how you can work with their consultants to score an impeccable diamond engagement ring or gift.
2. Booking Appointments
If you need more personal advice when it comes to finding the perfect gift, engagement ring, or personal style, you can also book one of their experts to help you out.
Styling and gifting advice can be booked for virtual appointments only for a maximum of 30 minutes. Meanwhile, your engagement rings and wedding band-related concerns can be consulted with an expert either virtually or in person for a total of 45 minutes.
You can almost get the same experience from a casual walk-in but you’ll often have limited time. Besides, an expert won’t be able to lend themselves since they’ll be unavailable without a proper reservation.
So, if you’re desperate for some styling advice, especially if you’re buying jewelry for someone else, we recommend creating an appointment. Otherwise, a walk-in to their flagship store or Soho branch will suffice. Either way, you’ll get a chance to look up and get a feel for the different pieces available.
3. Shipping
Catbird ships internationally via DHL Express. Shipping fees will cost around $25 anywhere (except Canada, which only costs $15) and will take around 2-7 business days for successful delivery. In-store pickups, same-day delivery, and next-day delivery options are available for customers within the contiguous US, but they have varying shipping fees.
Standard shipping costs $5 and takes around two business days for off-the-shelf products. US territories such as Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico will incur a $28 fee and take 2-3 days.
4. Warranties
Catbird has an extensive warranty section highlighting the different warranties imposed on various pieces. Basically, international items are not eligible for warranties. Standard jewelry items are covered by a two-year workmanship warranty, whereas wedding and engagement rings have a one-year complimentary resizing policy (on select items) and a one-year workmanship guarantee.
Also, it’s worth mentioning that their permanent bracelets have a 30-day grace period to help you get them rewelded or readjusted for a better fit.
5. Returns and Repairs Policies
Catbird offers a 10-day satisfaction guarantee for items purchased online and domestically within the US. The item must be in its original packaging and you’ll incur a $5 shipping charge. For repairs, you’ll have to fill out a special form and arrange for a UPS shipping label. Fortunately, this whole process is explained in their FAQ.
If you’re in the Brooklyn or Manhattan area, you can just get all of this covered within a day by heading out to either of their physical locations.
Should You Buy Jewelry from Catbird?
Catbird emphasizes jewelry as something you wear on yourself all the time. This is why they advocate their permanent bracelets, engagement rings, and stacked rings as eternal heirloom pieces. Besides, these are made of 14K/18K gold jewelry, and will naturally stand the test of time. However, it’s not for everyone.
Primarily, if you’re a very physically active person, who’s often involved in track sports, weightlifting, and gymnastics, we don’t recommend sticking with the slim Catbird jewelry pieces. They will require constant maintenance and the dainty designs aren’t the best at handling abuse.
Secondly, they aren’t the best choice if you’re considering jewelry as investment pieces, particularly if you’re hoping to resell them to go for an upgrade or handle a financial emergency. Also, with the lack of support for international orders, Catbird can seem off-putting for customers ordering outside the US.
All that aside if you’re moved by their designs, by all means, go for it. Their craftsmanship and sustainability practices are never in question, and you’ll always get a flawless piece designed to last for decades.
FAQs about Catbird Jewelry
1. What is Catbird Jewelry known for?
Fine and semi-fine 14K gold jewelry.
2. Where is Catbird Jewelry based?
In Brooklyn and Soho, New York City.
3. Who is the founder of Catbird Jewelry?
Rony Vardi founded Catbird.
4. Does Catbird sell anything other than jewelry?
Yes, they also offer home and beauty items like fragrances and candles.
5. Is Catbird Jewelry committed to social causes?
Yes, they have a dedicated charity fund that donates to organizations like Planned Parenthood and the ACLU.
6. Has Catbird Jewelry been featured in any publications?
Yes, they have been featured in Vogue, ELLE, and Insider, among others.
Wrapping Up
Catbird Jewelry makes some incredibly glamorous pieces. They’re the epitome of lightweight flawless heirlooms and have maintained a solid reputation. This store is a good choice for those of us living in the US and is more favorable if you’re living in the Big Apple. It’s not the most ideal for international buyers, but you can still get them safely delivered.
