Rocksbox Review: My Honest Take After Subscribing for A Year

Updated July 25, 2019

Is Rocksbox Actually Worth It?

Rocksbox wants to be your next great style secret, but does this jewelry rental service live up to the hype? After subscribing for over a year, here are my takeaways:

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• About Rocksbox
• Getting Started
• Designers & Styles
• Quality, Care, & What Happens If Something Goes Wrong
• Unboxing My Latest Rocksbox Set
• How to Leave Feedback & Improve Your Next Set
• Renting vs. Buying Jewelry
• Is Rocksbox Worth It?
• The Verdict

About Rocksbox

The Cost: $21.00 monthly rental fee, plus free shipping both ways

Ships to: US only

What You Get: 3 pieces of trendy designer jewelry (earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings) that you can rent for as long as you'd like. Swap your set out for new pieces at any time, and use your $21.00 monthly membership fee to purchase pieces you can't live without.

Good to Know: What you get in each box is a surprise, but you do have some control over what your stylist curates for you. Fill out your style profile, add specific pieces to your wishlist, and leave feedback on past sets to ensure you get jewelry you truly love. UPDATE! Rocksbox added some new features since we first posted this review. You'll now be able to see what's been curated for you before your next set ships and even swap some items for others! Just make sure to be as specific as you can be on your style quiz (avoid the "No Preference" button for each question), and you'll be able to see your curated set ASAP.

What We Think: Rocksbox is a fun, convenient way to keep your jewelry options fresh without breaking the bank, especially if you're a fan of more modern, trend-conscious styles.

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This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

Getting Started

Signing up for Rocksbox is actually kind of fun, especially if you're the type who loves doing quizzes and talking about style.

Once you've input your information, you're asked to fill out the Rocksbox Style Profile. Now, Rocksbox doesn't allow you to pick the specific items you receive in each box, but they do give you lots of ways to control what types of items are picked for you.

Update! Rocksbox added some new features since we first posted this review. You'll now be able to see what's been curated for you before your next set ships and even swap some items for others! Just make sure to be as specific as you can be on your style quiz (avoid the "No Preference" button for each question), and you'll be able to see your curated set ASAP.

My favorite tool they provide is the wishlist—we'll get to that in a second. First, it's time to answer the picture-based questions in the Style Profile, which cover things like what finishes you like, the shapes and silhouettes you prefer, and what your general style is.

It's helpful to know that whatever you enter in this profile isn't set in stone. In fact, I think it's smart to go back in and update your profile every few months, or as you see new trends you'd like to try.

I think it's also good to know that the jewelry in the questionnaire is relatively indicative of the types of pieces you'll get from Rocksbox. If the aesthetic isn't quite grabbing you, then this might not be the right jewelry subscription for you! (Don't get discouraged—there are lots of other great jewelry subscriptions to try!)

At the end of the questionnaire, there's a space where you can write in any other open-ended information that might be helpful to the stylists. (Colors you never wear, shapes you're loving, style icons you're trying to emulate, etc.)

Once your style profile is complete, it's time for my favorite part of the Rocksbox process—filling out your wishlist! The wishlist is a list of pieces from Rocksbox's collection that you specifically want to try. There's no limit to how many pieces you can add, but Rocksbox recommends adding about 30 to start. Members can add to their wishlist by simply clicking the star at the top corner of each listing.

And just as with a regular online shop, you can click into each product to see further details and add it to your wishlist from that page. This details page also shows you the retail price and the Rocksbox member price for each item. Remember—you only pay $21.00 per month to rent a set of Rocksbox jewelry, but if you want to actually purchase something, you can do so for the member price minus your $21.00 membership fee, which is treated as a credit to your account. We'll talk more about that later, but just FYI as you're browsing!

You can add literally any piece you like to your wishlist. And better yet, you can rank the items you added to your list based on how eager you are to try them. I think this is a really awesome feature. Rocksbox stylists will include at least one wishlist item per set, but which wishlist piece or pieces show up is based on availability. It can feel a little random, so being able to prioritize what pieces I want most helps the stylists deliver a better experience.

And much like the style profile, you can change what's on your wishlist at any time. Rocksbox will remind you to add to it if you have fewer than the recommended number of pieces in your wishlist. I should also mention that if you don't fill out any wishlist items, Rockbox will still send you a set using your style profile to guide their choices.

Designers & Styles

Rocksbox features a handful of designers whose pieces cover a nice spectrum of modern jewelry aesthetics. They include:

• Kate Spade
• Kendra Scott
• House of Harlow 1960
• Gorjana
• Loren Hope
• Jenny Bird
• Nakamol
• Slate
• Perry Street
• Sophie Harper
• Olivia & Grace
• Wanderlust + Co.

The pieces include delicate, understated looks, edgy styles, bold statement pieces in bright colors, minimalist shapes, and more. I will say that after a year of using Rocksbox, I found that the aesthetic tends to be more modern and trendy. Even the more feminine, dainty designs have a hip vibe to them. That works perfectly with my personal style, but if you're looking for something more traditional or classic, your options with Rocksbox might be more limited.

Quality, Care, & What Happens If Something Goes Wrong

The thing I've been most impressed with in my Rocksbox experience is the quality of the pieces. The reaction I get most when I tell people that I'm trying a jewelry rental service is "Rental? Are the pieces all beat up?" I'm happy to report that the answer to that question is not in the least. Rocksbox regularly delivers shiny, like-new jewelry with all of their pieces intact. Each item comes tucked into a velvety drawstring bag before being carefully packed into the Rocksbox box and bubble mailer, which limits the risk of breaks and scratches during delivery.

Rocksbox also always includes a care card with each set, recommending how best to keep your rented pieces happy and healthy while in your possession. I've gotten in the habit of always taking my jewelry off at night (I try not to just fall asleep in a pair of stud earrings or little minimalist necklace) and give them a quick wipe down with their velvet bags, which are the perfect fabric for polishing. I also always return them to their bags for storage, which helps me keep the Rocksbox pieces separate from other items in my jewelry box. I also don't tend to wear the pieces somewhere precarious—they've never been out dancing with me, for example—so I don't run as much risk of an earring swinging off or a bracelet coming loose and getting lost on a busy floor.

Of course, accidents do happen. Your membership cost covers "normal wear", which I've taken to mean anything that either 1) is essentially a quality issue with the item itself (like a stone falling out of its setting) or 2) something Rocksbox can easily remedy (like a missing earring back, gentle tarnishing that can be polished away, etc.). Anything more significant than that, Rocksbox evaluates once the item gets back to them. The worst that can happen is a you-break-it-you-bought-it situation, but I recommend always letting Rocksbox know as soon as there's an issue. The more transparent you are with what's going on with the item, the more helpful Rocksbox can be about remedying any problems.

Unboxing My Latest Rocksbox Set

I'm always impressed by how quickly my new Rocksbox sets arrive. My first box ever arrived pretty quickly, too—it was only around a week before I had my first box in front of me.

Rocksbox comes wrapped in a simple looking bubble mailer with a big R on the front. A pro-tip—be tidy about how you open the mailer, as you'll want to reuse it later! Rocksbox uses specific mailers that have a second adhesive strip inside of them. Carefully slice open one end of the mailer, and you'll be able to reuse the envelope for your return. Pretty cool, huh?

Inside the mailer, you'll find my favorite subscription box box, hands down. I love the gray blue boxes that hold each Rocksbox set. The cardboard is smooth and sleek, the Rocksbox logo is printed on the lid in metallic gold letters, and best of all, there's a bright pink bow holding the box shut. It's tied perfectly so that it unfurls beautifully with a gentle tug on the ribbon. It's seriously like a moment in a movie!

Inside the box, the aesthetics are just as good. There's a booklet of information sitting on top...

...and gold- and pink-flecked tissue paper wrapped snuggly around the jewelry inside. I've held on to a few of these bow-tied boxes and most of the sheets of tissue paper. They're amazing for gifting—just pop some floral stickers over the logos, and you're good to go!

Let's take a look at the booklet first. This folded card included a note from the person who curated this box as well as a list of the products inside.

On the product side of the booklet, you'll find all of the items visually listed out along with their member and retail prices. They also do a handy breakdown of what you'd pay to keep everything, including the $21.00 monthly credit (sometimes referred to as your "Shine Credit") and any other credits you have attached to your account. I've got some Forever Credit on there, too. I'll talk more about the different credit types once we take a closer look at the pieces I got!

The back of the booklet lists out the next steps, including how to return your current pieces for a new set.

I already mentioned the reusable shipping envelope, but Rocksbox also always provides a pre-paid shipping label. Just stick this over top of the existing shipping label on the bubble mailer so that there's no confusion when it hits the post office. I drop my return packages off with our office mail carrier, but you can drop yours in a mailbox, or take it to the post office, too.

Here's the care card that I talked about earlier! There's one in every box to remind you how to best maintain your awesome new jewelry.

Now let's get down to business... Time to try on some jewelry!

Perry Street Lyla Hoops in Mother of Pearl - Retail Value $45.00, Member Price $38.00

I've been SO eager to try this style of hoop earring. I'd seen similar styles at shops online so I was really excited when I saw this pair on Rocksbox's catalog. And into my wishlist it went! The finish of these earrings has a pearlescent sheen. The shape has a retro vibe to it—they're almost a more sophisticated version of the fluorescent-colored plastic hoops you'd see in the 80s and 90s. The backings are wide, so they feel supportive (though I'll say that these earrings are feather light to wear in the first place). I'm tempted to keep these, though there's a coral pink pair also by Perry Street that I might hold out for!

Kate Spade Out West Cat Ear Bracelet - Retail Value $58.00

How cute is this gold cat bracelet?! I love Kate Spade, so I'm thrilled some items from the brand are offered on Rocksbox. This bangle toes the line between being quirky and chic. I could see wearing it with a very polished professional outfit to inject some of my day-to-day personality into things. (I always like having something that makes me feel like my playful self, even when I'm adulting as hard as I can, haha!) The bangle has a little chain link on the back, which isn't terribly functional (I don't foresee this bangle slipping off), but is pretty cute dancing around against my wrist. As an owner of two kitties, I do feel a draw towards keeping this piece. What do you think?

You'll notice with this one that there was only a member price listed, meaning I wouldn't be getting a discounted price for this bracelet if I bought it through Rocksbox. That said, I WOULD still be able to put any credit I have towards the price.

Perry Street Kelly Pendant in Mother of Pearl - Retail Value $55.00, Member Price $46.00

One thing I like about Rocksbox is that they try to make each set coordinate in one way or another. This pendant has both the pearl of the earrings and the gold of the bracelet in it, so technically, I could get away with wearing all three pieces together. I don't wear big long pendants like this one that often, but there's something very cool and modern-artsy about this round disc-shaped design that I really like.

How to Leave Feedback & Improve Your Next Set

So... what's next? Once I've had my set and tried out all of my pieces, I can pop into my Rocksbox account to either buy or leave feedback on what I got. I feel like leaving feedback is a huge factor in getting the most out of the Rocksbox service. It only takes a second to do, and it helps improve future sets by explaining what you liked, loved, and what made you feel totally "meh".

On the feedback page, you'll see photos of each piece in your current set. Under that, you can give each piece a star rating, and leave details about what you're looking for in the future. If you're a Rocksbox subscriber, it's not a bad idea to start a Pinterest board for jewelry. You can link to the Pinterest board when you leave feedback each month to give a visual idea of what kind of look you're trying to emulate!

Oh, and don't forget to update your style profile if it's been awhile. Members can find their style profile under the My Account dropdown at the top right corner of the page.

Renting vs. Buying Jewelry

At first, I was wary of jewelry rental. Would the process be clunky? Would I even get anything I liked? I'm the type who loves shopping for jewelry in person and hunting down exciting new pieces. If I used this rental service, would my habits change?

Now, I can only speak for myself, but I'm loving this rental service. Because of the wishlist feature, in particular, I feel like I still have some control over the types of pieces I get, but there's also an element of surprise that's actually really fun. Plus, the wishlist still gives me that shopping buzz!

Update! Since writing this review, Rocksbox added the ability for members to preview and make changes to their sets before they ship. I love having that kind of added control over what I'm getting. Prefer a little element of surprise? Just try not to peek in your account!

That's another great thing that I've noticed—with Rocksbox, I feel like I've got my trendy jewelry needs covered, so that when I do shop for jewelry, I can focus on really unique standout pieces. So, for instance, I don't necessarily think I'll be a hoops girl forever, but I feel like I've been seeing them everywhere lately and really wanted to try some out for myself. With Rocksbox, I can do that without having to spend as much as I might otherwise to nab a pair of nicer hoops for keeps. So since I know that I can use Rocksbox to handle the trends, I can spend the rest of my jewelry/clothes budget on pieces that go beyond what's trending. (For me, that's artful jewelry by local makers, but it could also be items like a timeless gold bracelet or diamond earrings from a classic brand. Investment pieces, if you will.) I feel so much better looking at my jewelry box knowing that everything in there is something I truly love, and not just a pile of trendy looks I dropped too much money on months and months ago, only to wear them once and never again!

And really, the savings is the big benefit for me. To buy items at Rocksbox quality at retail would cost at least $21.00 (if not double or triple that) per piece. But with Rocksbox, I get three items to try for $21.00. If I love 'em, I can always purchase them. But I personally am really loving the habit of swapping out each set for something new.

Is Rocksbox Worth It?

In my opinion, yes! Each month, you pay a membership fee of $21.00. (And keep in mind, that number is by month, not by set—if you're over the pieces you got in one weekend, you can return your current set and get another ASAP without paying anything more for the month!) Even if you only choose to get one set in the month, you're still only paying $7.00 per piece of jewelry. Shipping is free, as are returns.

If you choose to keep something, you also have Rocksbox discounts, Shine Credit, and Forever Credit at your disposal. As you can see with my current set, Rocksbox offers discounted member pricing for many of its pieces. On top of that, your Shine Credit (which is actually your $21.00 membership fee) goes towards any purchase you might make. (Note that Shine Credit doesn't rollover month to month!) Forever Credit is essentially store credit that you can earn by getting friends to try Rocksbox. (You can find more info about Rocksbox Forever Credits and their referral program here!)

Let's use my current set as an example. At retail, the three pieces would cost me $158.00. With Rocksbox discounts, that price drops to $142.00. Subtract from that my $5.00 Forever Credit and $21.00 Shine Credit, and my total to buy everything in the box would be just $116.00.

The Verdict

If you're a cost-conscious jewelry lover or someone who loves to experiment with cool new looks, I highly recommend giving Rocksbox a try! The quality of the fresh, fashion-forward pieces doesn't disappoint, and I've found that each box is a mix of surprises and pieces you can hand-pick yourself. It's a great way to save money without having to miss out on must-try jewelry trends.

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What do you think of Rocksbox?