I’m a firm believer that chic is in the eye of the beholder, but sometimes y’all are pushing it. By y’all, I mean all the gorgeous, gorgeous girls on the internet who are convincing themselves (and others!) that a bean-shaped pave diamond necklace is something to urgently drop a stack on. ICMYI, bean necklaces, inspired by the OG Tiffany & Co. design from the ’90s, are suddenly very back in style. And before vintage historians start yelling, I must acknowledge that the bean jewelry collection by Tiffany is a pretty unforgettable moment in fashion history.

With edgy darlings like Olivia Rodrigo rocking the pendant bean on the red carpet, it’s hard to ignore that the powers that be in the cool girl style world are now team bean. But I have to point out (and pretend I’m holding your hand when I say this) there’s no reason to invest in a mini legume sculpture because TikTok happens to be hyperfixating on it rn. For the sake of women’s wallets everywhere, I’m breaking down the bean necklace trend and rounding up affordable alternatives to the Tiffany original, in case you just have to dare to be different, damn.

Why are bean necklaces trending online?

Image Credit: Tiffany & Co.

It’s the 50th anniversary of Tiffany’s Bean Necklace, designed by Italian jewelry designer and former model, Elsa Peretti. In the jewelry game, Elsa is a household name, for her trademark whimsical sculptural jewelry, like the silky smooth bone cuff that every fashion queen has seen before, and the scorpion necklace I wanted to snatch off the neck of Anya Taylor Joy the second I saw it on her.

It just so happens that this anniversary is coming at a time when Y2K core is practically more fashionable than ever. (Seeing Gen-Z kiddos jump for joy after unearthing a Charlotte Russe top in a thrifting Vlog has aged me more than I’d like to admit, but I can’t complain that the Princess Diana fit is now permanently in my rotation.) This tidal wave of a 2000s fashion trend has been persistently keeping the zeitgeist in a chokehold, resulting in everything from layered camis, to oval rimmed librarian glasses, to flaired jeans becoming unironically commonplace again. It’s fair to consider the bean necklace another niche novelty item having a revival.

Novelty prints, specifically of farmhouse food, also happen to be this summer’s campy hit. So, the bean necklace is an accessorized contribution to the foodie fashion moment, with its equal parts of minimalism and boldness. Thanks to famous cool girls like Olivia, Hailey Bieber, Rosie Huntington-Whitely, and Dakota Johnson giving the eclectic necklace an updated stamp of approval, and the internet finally catching on, it’s safe to say the bean is back, baby. But I’m just politely nudging you to ask yourself: “Does this very niche boho trinket call to me, or have I been deeping my FYP too hard?”

What’s more, the bean necklace really cemented its place in the it crowd the first go around by becoming the staple gift for major life milestones, like graduating or becoming a mom. Why a bean screamed big girl, IDK, but for many years it just did, which is why half the comment section under bean trend videos is confused how the rest of us weren’t already aware. For those in the know, this necklace is a calling card for timeless style, even if, to the outside eye, they are wearing a shiny carb.

Soooo, considering how inside baseball the bean necklace is, maybe this particular piece is best when you let a loved one (like your aunt or a man that owes you something) bestow it upon you instead of purchasing it yourself. It’s giving family heirloom, not impulse purchase, know what I mean?

Cute Bean Necklace Dupes

If you’ve decided to use your free will to make some version of the unconventional classic your own, I guess I can’t blame you. But I also can’t just sit there and watch you spend nearly $2,000 on a whim. Therefore, here are some bean jewelry-inspired options that won’t break the bank

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Heaven Mayhem Pebble Necklace

Yeah, I’ma be real with you, this isn’t what I’d consider particularly “affordable” but it’s made by a jewelry company with a stamp of approval from Hailey Bieber, so do with that what you will.

Glossy Bean Adjustable Pendant Necklace

Here’s your ticket to secure the look for wayyyyy less. It’s stainless steel! Not bad!

Chicago Metal Pendant Corded Necklace

The Urban Outfitters dupe is really screaming kidney bean or mini eggplant for the fashionistas after that trademark amorphous shape.

Leather cord pendant necklace

This pendant is much less chili-adjacent for those craving something more subtle, and it’s on sale.

Sculptural Forms Pendant Necklace by Aureus + Argent

You know what, I take back everything. This sexy half-bean, half-stone necklace EATS (pun intended), and I actually can’t physically stop myself from adding to cart. Just to see how it feels. I also love the slinkier cord versus the black rope.

And Now This Teardrop Pendant Necklace

Macy’s is offering a really accessible, affordable way to get in on the trend that you won’t feel weird about wearing around the office.

Bean-Shaped Silver Pendant Necklace

If you’re more inclined to a gilded black-eyed pea situation, this is for you. Wait, are black-eyed peas beans or peas? Whatever.