Under fifty dollars is the range where choosing well matters most, because the difference between a piece that gets worn and one that gets forgotten is entirely in the choice, not the price.
Go small and simple. A single small pendant, a pair of studs, a thin chain. Small pieces in this range look intentional; large pieces look like what they cost.
Will a piece at this price look cheap?
Not if it is small and plain. What reads as cheap is scale and shine — big, bright, and ornate at a low price gives itself away. Quiet pieces do not.
Is this a good budget for a friend or a colleague?
It is the right budget. A gift in this range says you noticed something without creating any obligation to match it.