Walk into any Kendra Scott boutique and you'll see them. The neat rows of Elisa necklaces and Elle earrings, all perfectly curated and gleaming under soft spotlight. It's safe. It’s easy. But honestly, if you’re just grabbing something off the shelf, you’re missing the entire point of what made this brand a cult favorite in the first place.
I’m talking about the Kendra Scott Color Bar.
Most people walk past the touchscreen monitors and the trays of loose stones at the back of the store because they think it’s just for bridal parties or high-maintenance "custom" shoppers. That's a mistake. The Color Bar is basically the "Build-A-Bear" of jewelry, minus the stuffing and plus a whole lot of 14k gold plating. It's where you get to be the designer, and in a world of fast fashion where everyone is wearing the exact same TikTok-trending pendant, it’s the easiest way to actually own something unique.
How the Kendra Scott Color Bar Actually Works
The concept is simple: you pick a silhouette, you pick a metal, and you pick a stone. But the execution is where it gets fun.
If you're in a physical store, you usually sit at a dedicated bar—hence the name. You can use a massive interactive screen or an iPad to virtually drag and drop different combinations. It sounds a bit gimmicky until you realize how many times you’ve liked a necklace shape but hated the stone color.
The Three-Step Shuffle
- Select Your Silhouette: You aren’t limited to one thing. You can choose from over 50 styles, including the heavy hitters like the Elisa, the Rayne tassel necklace, or the Elton cuff.
- Pick Your Metal: This is usually where the price stabilizes. You’ve got Gold, Silver, Rose Gold, and Gunmetal. Sometimes they rotate in specialty finishes, but those are the core four.
- The Stone Choice: This is the rabbit hole. There are typically 30+ stone options. We’re talking everything from classic Ivory Mother-of-Pearl and Iridescent Drusy to more "out there" stones like Variegated Turquoise Magnesite or Abalone Shell.
Once you decide, a store associate (they call them "Color Bar specialists") doesn't send your order off to a factory. They pull the raw components out of a drawer and assemble it right in front of you.
It takes maybe five to ten minutes. You watch them use a specialized press to set the stone into the metal prongs. It’s weirdly satisfying to see. You walk out with a "one-of-a-kind" piece while the metal is still room temperature.
The Cost: Is it More Expensive?
Here’s the part that surprises people: it usually costs the same as the pre-made versions.
If an Elisa necklace on the floor is $65, your custom Color Bar Elisa is almost always $65. You aren't paying a "customization fee." You’re just paying for the materials. Of course, if you choose a premium stone or a more complex silhouette, the price shifts accordingly, but you aren’t being upcharged just for the privilege of picking your own colors.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on your birthday month. Kendra Scott is famous for a 50% discount on one item during your birthday month (you just need a photo ID and to be signed up for their emails). This discount applies to the Color Bar. It is hands-down the best way to get a custom piece for $30-$40.
Why People Get This Wrong
The biggest misconception is that the Color Bar is only for "pink and sparkly" stuff.
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Sure, if you want a neon pink druzy heart, they have you covered. But I’ve seen people use the Color Bar to create some incredibly sophisticated, moody pieces. Think gunmetal chains with black cats-eye stones or silver settings with grey labradorite. It can look very "high-end boutique" if you stay away from the glitter.
Another thing? The online Color Bar.
You don't actually have to go to a mall. The online interface is surprisingly smooth. You can toggle through every stone and metal combo, and the preview is high-res enough that you can see the texture of the stones. However, stones are natural products. No two pieces of Mother-of-Pearl look identical. When you do it in person, the associate will often let you pick the specific stone from the tray. One might have more pink "fire" in it, while another is more milky. Online, you get what they pick.
The "Final Sale" Reality Check
You need to be sure.
Because these pieces are made-to-order, Kendra Scott’s policy is usually Final Sale on Color Bar items. You can’t decide three days later that the Rose Gold clashes with your skin tone and bring it back for a refund. They are making this for you.
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Actionable Next Steps for Your First Custom Piece
If you're ready to try it out, don't just wing it.
- Check your closet first. Most people buy jewelry they like in the tray, but it doesn't match their actual wardrobe. Are you a "gold and warm tones" person or a "silver and cool tones" person?
- Go during a weekday. If you go to a Kendra Scott store on a Saturday afternoon, the Color Bar will be swamped with bridal parties and teenagers. It’s loud. It’s chaotic. If you go on a Tuesday morning, you’ll have the specialist’s undivided attention.
- Mix, don't match. Instead of getting a matching set of earrings and a necklace, try choosing stones that are in the same color family but different textures. A matte stone like Magnesite looks incredible paired with a sparkly Drusy in a similar hue.
- Leverage the "Kendra Gives Back" events. Local stores often host events where 20% of proceeds go to a charity. You can build your custom piece and feel slightly better about the splurge.
The Kendra Scott Color Bar isn't some revolutionary technological marvel. It’s just a really well-executed way to get exactly what you want without the wait time of traditional custom jewelry. Whether you're designing something for a specific wedding palette or just want a necklace that doesn't look like everyone else's, it’s worth the ten minutes it takes to sit down and play designer.