Review: Sparkle Box Subscription (May 2015)

I received my May shipment of my Sparkle Box subscription last week. I was a little excited to know what was inside because I picked the Subtle Style type, whereas last time I chose Avant Garde. While I used to wear over-the-top, bold jewellery as a teenager, my style has changed and I prefer to wear simple, classic pieces. The thing I like about this box in particular is that you can switch your style if you like.

The packaging was the same as last time with the white box and branded black and white ribbon. The spotted tissue paper was the same, but the information card was new. This time it was personalised with my name in a really nice teal colour. There were some sequins in the box as well, to add to the “sparkle”! It was a nice touch, and while I am impressed by good packaging, it doesn’t deter me from what I’m really looking at – the product.

The box, neatly presented
The box, neatly presented
Tissue paper wrapping
Tissue paper wrapping
Card with my name on it
Card with my name on it
Inside of the information card
Inside of the information card
The jewellery wrapped in organza bags
The jewellery wrapped in organza bags
Bottom of the box
Bottom of the box

I had some interesting pieces this time.

All the jewellery laid out
All the jewellery laid out

You Lucky Thing Earrings

I think the earrings are alright. When I first looked at them I thought they were quite cute but didn’t think they were my style. The quality is okay. They are quirky, which would have fit my style maybe a year ago, but now not so much. I like the gold colour though, and when I tried the earrings on I thought maybe they weren’t too bad. They are studs, and I do prefer studs over dangly earrings. These will definitely get some wear.

You Lucky Thing Earrings
You Lucky Thing Earrings

Back to Black Long Necklace

I was pretty thrilled when I saw this necklace because of its length. I remember writing in my subscription notes that I was after long chains or simple chains with pendants. This necklace is very long and it’s not just a long chain with a pendant – it’s got hammered accents all the way through. It could probably double as a bracelet if you wrapped it around your wrist a few times, although that isn’t personally my style. I don’t particularly like the hammered look, which is more bohemian/casual and not really my style either. I did wear this necklace one or two times but I wasn’t a huge fan of how it looked on me.

Back to Black Long Necklace
Back to Black Long Necklace

Just a Drop Charm Necklace

This necklace is quite simple but being a fan of dainty (but not too dainty) pieces, I loved it! I love the drop and the fact that it is not too small. A lot of charm jewellery has ridiculously small pendants or charms, particularly the ones at Kitsch. I don’t know how anyone could really like such tiny pieces. This droplet stands out just enough. The gold is lovely as well. If this piece was silver, I wouldn’t like it as much because I have a lot of silver jewellery already.

Just a Drop Charm Necklace
Just a Drop Charm Necklace
A close up of the drop necklace
A close up of the drop necklace

Despite being notified that shipping to Australia would be increased from $7 to $15, owner of Sparkle Box, Shannon, said that my May box would be charged $7 for shipping and the increase would occur in June. That was a nice surprise – I was expecting to pay more.

I was really happy with my box this time, more so than last time. The update in the packaging was a nice surprise. Unfortunately, despite that, I have decided to cancel my subscription. I feel that while I like the pieces, there is usually only one that I really love. On top of that, the international shipping price is expensive. From now on I would be paying $34USD for upcoming boxes (that’s unfortunately $44 in my currency) and that turns me off a bit.

But remember, Sparkle Box is based in the US and I know most of my readers are from there. If you are thinking of subscribing it will be only $19 a month for you. That is a pretty low price for three pieces and is especially good for people who are still finding their style. Use the code GEORGIESPARKLE10 to get 10% off your first box. :)

Comments on this post

So this is subtle style… Hmmm… I got my first box a while back, still need to blog about it (I went with quirky; I might go for a second box in a few weeks and it’s a toss-up between avant garde and subtle style).

I think the droplet necklace is nice, but I think I’d like it more if it was silver. The Back to Black necklace is nice too, but I’m not a fan of long necklaces. Maybe I’m so small? I think the earrings are super cute, though! It’s a shame my ear piercings have closed up now.

!! I will be keeping an eye out on your blog now. I am curious to see what you got, sounds like you were happy with it? Judging from what I have seen on their website for Subtle Style, I don’t really like it and some of the pieces look a bit cheap. Younger me would have gone for the Quirky/Handmade one. ;)

Haha, I think I have just taken a liking to gold jewellery as of late. Also, I can’t imagine if my piercings closed up. I like my piercings too much!

You’ll have to wait and see, but to be honest I’m still on the fence about the three pieces I got. Luckily they actually do read what we write (I was afraid they wouldn’t) and didn’t include any earrings.

I would love to have kept my piercings going but I got them done in some dank underground questionable shop in Toronto, Canada. They never quite healed and would get really gross and sometimes infected a lot. :/ maybe in a few years I’ll go somewhere proper and re-pierce them.

Hmm, well that is a shame if you didn’t love the box, but glad you tried it out anyway and forged your own opinion on it. :)

I actually got four (out of six) of my piercings done in Indonesia with the old gun method back in 2003. Apparently the gun method heals slower? They got infected when I wore fake jewellery, so I learned to stop wearing those. My mum once told me that she thinks I am lucky that nothing bad came out of that. She had said, “What was I thinking… it was probably not safe to do it overseas”.

I liked the drop charm necklace the most. It is very pretty and actually very subtle too.
The horse shoe earrings are good, but I like studs to be a little smaller! :D

Great review…. I am going to check their website now!

I am not into necklaces, but if I did wear them, I’d wear the Back to Black one. I love its silver-tone and its simple yet elegant looks. That’s something that fits my aesthetic more! ^^

I really like that you keep posting about this jewelry subscription box, because it lets me see more of what comes in it, which helps me make a more educated decision on whether it would be a good fit for me. I’ve been considering it, and I’m adding it to my list of boxes to look out for and subscribe to when I can. :3 I don’t wear jewelry too often, but when I want to, finding something I would actually wear isn’t that easy…

And other boxes I’ve came across I have any sort of real interest in requires the products to be sent back, which… well, it sucks. >.<

Earrings aren’t my thing, but awh, those remind me of my mom. :x

I also admire packaging, too, but the product is the main thing. However, fancy packaging/packaging that emphasizes the brand makes me happy… I’m more likely to order from someone whose packages are awesome than to order from someone whose packages are plain. :( Heh. I like to be spoiled, I guess?

Hey Liz! That’s great that you have found my reviews helpful. I feel guilty for unsubbing from this box but I just didn’t feel that it fit me. :( Sounds like it would be a better fit for you. I think it is very affordable for people in the US which is why I keep promoting it!

I have heard of Rocksbox, which seems to have some amazing jewellery, but only on hire, so you have to return it at the end of the month. Not a fan.

I do love really nice packaging and it adds to the “unboxing experience” but I really do try not to let it affect my opinion of the product. The box and packaging play a huge part but I don’t want to be spending on what is better packaging compared to what you are actually getting. It can be used in a deceiving manner, so I guess I try to be wary.

Agh, somehow, I failed to read the pricing for you/the last tidbits about you cancelling your subscription. It sounds like a nice box is it’s $19, but I wouldn’t go up to $44 for it.

I understand about the packaging; packaging’s a plus, but it shouldn’t take away to the product… it should compliment it. I usually just make it a bonus in my reviews. Some Etsy shop owners end bonus items/dress their products up nicely, and it’s just counted as a little bonus/a nice tidbit sort of thing. As always, the product itself is much more important.

Out of curiosity, does your coupon code have an expiration date? I’m just wondering, because you cancelled, and I know some boxes cancel all discounts when peoples cancel, so I was just curious. c:

Yeah, definitely not. I absolutely love the sellers on Etsy because a lot of them put so much thought and effort into their packaging. I always see that as a nice bonus there, maybe because of the “marketplace” feel. I feel like subscription boxes should have superb packaging by default, though? :P

I’m not sure about the coupon code actually – I haven’t checked. If you happen to try and it doesn’t work, feel free to let me know. :)