Pandora Jewellery: The Allure Of The Charm Bracelet

From an inspired idea to a global jewellery brand, Pandora is an amazing story of how smart entrepreneurship and brilliant design came together to create a hugely successful business.

History

In the 1980s, a Danish couple, Per and Winnie Enevoldsen, set up a small jewellery shop in Nørrebrogade, Copenhagen. When the business grew, the Enevoldsens established a production centre in Thailand, traditionally renowned for jewellery manufacture, and moved into wholesaling. Also on board was a designer, Lone Frandsen, who helped them create new designs. Pandora's 'Aha!' moment came in 1996 when another designer, Lisbeth Enø Lochte, joined the team and the duo dreamed up the company's signature product, a charm bracelet that buyers could customize according to taste. The Pandora Bracelet was launched in 2000; since then, there's been no looking back.

A Unique Design

So what's the fuss about Pandora bracelets? Essentially, the bracelet, available in gold, silver, fabric, or leather, consists of a cord that enables combinations of stackable beads, charms and clip-on rings to be strung, added or replaced on it. Pandora churns out a huge range of finely crafted charms in 14k gold, carved sterling silver, semi-precious or precious gemstones, wood and Murano glass. Clips and spacers keep the beads securely in place. Other items in the The rest of Pandora's jewellery line, earrings, pendants, necklaces, rings, and watches are designed on the same principle of customizability. Altogether, it's high quality, but affordable jewellery that's positively irresistible!

Spotting Pandora Fakes

Imitation may be the best form of flattery, but who'd want to be duped of their hard-earned money! Here are a few tips on spotting Pandora fakes:

Buying Pandora jewellery from an authorized dealer is, arguably the best way to avoid fakes. If that isn't feasible or you want to acquire older charms that the company has "retired", you may have to buy Pandora online from individual collectors or from retail stores, and that's when caution matters.

The price of a Pandora charm says much about its authenticity. Pandora retailers must sell at the company's recommended sale price, based on the value of an item's precious metals. If you stumble upon a charm that's temptingly low-priced, stay away!

Genuine Pandora jewellery has these distinctive, engraved markings:

The letters 'ALE', derived from the initials of Per Enevoldsen's father.

The number 925 for sterling silver and 585 for gold, visible close to the letters ALE.

Look for 'threading' on bracelets and inside charms. This is , a unique Pandora design feature that counterfeiters cannot replicate.

Pandora jewellery is exquisitely created, from perfectly cut gemstones and glass to finely engraved metals. If you have an eye for fine craftsmanship, you should be able to spot a Pandora fake.

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