Pandora Autumn ~ Winter Collection 2011
Pandora has just released the new Autumn / Winter collection for 2011.
A whole new range of charms, bracelets, earrings, watches, necklaces and pendants are now available. Included in the range is the new Sterling Silver 5 clip bracelet which features settings for five clips, and the multi-strand bracelet which features one clip setting. Retail price of the 5 clip bracelet is £65 and £70 for the multi-strand bracelet. There are also a number of new clips available including the double clips which enable the wearer to wear two bracelets together.
To find out more about the new Autumn / Winter range please visit the official Pandora site
Pandora vs Chamilia – a brief comparison
Pandora and Chamilia are two of the leading jewellery companies that sell upmarket sterling silver charm bracelets and co-ordinating jewellery that allows the buyer to create their own high quality, custom fashion jewellery. Trollbeads are also one of their main competitors.
Pandora bracelets use a unique and patented threaded system that allows beads to be twisted on to their bracelets. This helps prevent them falling off when you take off your bracelet. Chamilia uses a different system which uses custom designed ‘locks’ which can be positioned anywhere on the bracelet. These keep the beads and charms in place and provide security for the wearer.
Some people have considered the beads to be interchangeable, but this is not adviseable due to the different ways in which the beads fit each type of bracelet.
Both companies offer silver, gold, and mixed beads as well as a variety of other options including gemstones, enamel and coloured glass, including the popular Italian Murano glass beads.
Pandora bracelets are available in 14ct gold, high polished and oxidised silver, as well as a combination of both gold and silver. Their bracelets vary in size and range from 16cm to 23cm in length. Both companies offer bracelets with either a lobster claw clasp or a hinged signature clasp. The decorative design of the clasp means that it fits in nicely with the design.
Chamilia offers a similar range of bracelets and beads to Pandora, as well as connectors which enable you to make a double bracelet or necklace. This allows the customer to create ‘sections’ of their bracelet and place beads wherever they want. With Pandora, clips are used, which need to be clipped on to joints that exist on the bracelet.
The range of beads from both companies are quite comprehensive and of very high quality. However, Pandora is more expensive, and at present has more gold beads in the £100+ price range than Chamilia has. The Pandora beads are similar in size to beads used with a Chamilia bracelet. Designed in Denmark, Pandora beads are ‘hand finished’ by highly skilled craftsmen, and each bead is individually inspected under quality control.
As both companies continue to release new beads on a regular basis throughout the year, there is always a fresh demand, which retains their popularity.
Whichever you prefer is simply a matter of taste. Pandora jewellery has a reputation for being slightly more upmarket than it’s main rivals, which is partly due to their more aggressive marketing campaigns. These occasionaly include TV advertising, as well as magazine advertising featuring well know celebrities.