As we’ve entered the summer season and our weekends are quickly being filled with beach getaways and poolside chats, the last thing on anyone’s mind should be how their jewelry reacts to water. I mean, half of my summer look is what I wear around my neck and wrists. Why should I have to take it off every time I want to swim or workout? I’ve spent hours scrolling online trying to find a brand I can trust will provide high-quality products I’ll never have to worry about removing. Aside from being water resistant jewelry, I wanted to find a brand that is both cost-efficient and provides a variety of products.

I’ve seen countless brands listed as the “best, affordable, waterproof jewelry” that all looked great, but I was too overwhelmed to decide which to try. And then I found Ellie Vail. As I do with a majority of the brands I come across, I read the founding story. One thing that stood out to me most, and was one of the main reasons for purchasing the product, is how the business came to be. As a college dropout with no background in design, Ellie Vail began her business as a fun side hustle that quickly achieved success with plenty of A-list celebrities wearing her products. The pictures online perfectly displayed the jewelry, however, I was hesitant to purchase a piece if the quality wouldn’t translate in real life.

I ended up purchasing the Arden Double Chain Toggle Necklace and it quickly arrived in just three days. Between the fast shipping and simple, customized packaging, I was pretty impressed with the brand. The product was packaged in a small plastic bag, which I didn’t love from an eco-friendly standpoint.

What I did love about what I found inside of the package were four other items: a cute, small Ellie Vail pouch with a zipper, a soft Ellie Vail cloth to polish your jewelry, a notecard with two QR codes to subscribe your phone number and to join their Affiliate Program, and another notecard with a QR code on either side to scan for how to return your product, for free! These were great added features that allowed me to gain a more personal relationship with the brand.

I didn’t have a great initial reaction to the necklace as the gold material appeared rough, matte-like which is not what I expected. I did expect the jewelry to appear a little nicer and higher quality despite it being made out of stainless steel. However, the stainless steel material is the reason for the jewelry’s durability and longevity, so that’s definitely a plus!

There are so many other products she offers that I’m interested in purchasing. For someone as nitpicky as I am, I don’t feel bad purchasing a piece to test out because her prices are so affordable and her return policy is great! Each customer also earns “EVJ Points” that go towards future purchases. This rewards program is a great way to feel engaged with the brand and, if you’re competitive like me, use all the points for a discounted purchase!

Aside from this specific necklace being water resistant and hypoallergenic, another thing I liked was that it’s very easy to take on and off. It can be quite frustrating when removing delicate jewelry that has a tiny clasp, especially for someone like me who has big fingers!