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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Am I too old for a Pandora charm bracelet?

186 replies

MoreCardassianThanKardashian · 11/10/2024 11:15

I'm touching 40. I wanted a Pandora charm bracelet about 15-20 years ago when either they became really popular or I first noticed them. I didn't bother as they were expensive ish (especially to me, a pauper at the time) and really common.

Anyway, I recently bought my 13 year old daughter one (around the age range I feel they're manufactured for) and I've been completely taken in by their marketing and how good they look on DD, her friends, the store girls all of whom are a good 2,close to 3 decades younger than me and the idea of cute little treats and easy gifts for everyone.

Is it a kids thing and I'm past it or are they still cute? Is there a grown up version? 😂😂😂

I think it's ok to keep and wear one if you've had it from a young age but to buy one now is a bit "live, laugh, love"???

OP posts:
Tinaforshort · 18/10/2024 17:46

MoreCardassianThanKardashian · 18/10/2024 07:05

Both Pandora and Gnoce are sterling silver 925 with some being plated... according to Google.

I have bought both Gnoce and Pandora for my daughters. I’m 45 and seem to be more drawn to Gnoce and could look for hours at the charms. I do think Gnoce are better value. I’ve never had issue with either.

MissTrip82 · 18/10/2024 08:21

I thought they were aimed at middle-aged women! I didn’t know girls got them

Either way, if something makes you smile when you wear it and you can afford it then get it. It can be really nice to buy something that was out of reach in the past.

ABirdsEyeView · 18/10/2024 07:57

I think the quality of Pandora doesn't reflect the price. DD has a couple of rings and while they are very pretty, the stones look very cheap to me. Pandora charms are quite expensive to buy, but you aren't getting that value in materials imo. It's mass produced jewellery with very good marketing!

That said, if you love it and want it, then buy it. Life is too short not to have what you want, when you can afford it.

Thequeenofwishfulthinking · 18/10/2024 07:15

im getting one for my mum for her upcoming 70rh today.
Never entered my head that s charm bracelet has age connotations.
Do what you want - who cares about what others think or society’s ideals.

SophieJo · 18/10/2024 07:15

Life is too short and you are not too old. Go and treat yourself!

Eenameenadeeka · 18/10/2024 07:10

I totally didn't think they were aimed at that age, I know plenty of adults with them. Get one!

MoreCardassianThanKardashian · 18/10/2024 07:05

Jukeboxjive · 17/10/2024 22:22

ARE they actually real gold or silver I've not read the thread but I am looking to get my girls one but ideally I'd like something real to last forever

Edited

Both Pandora and Gnoce are sterling silver 925 with some being plated... according to Google.

OP posts:
HollyKnight · 17/10/2024 22:28

@TheFormidableMrsC I'm having a good look online and I really don't think they are silver-plated. Someone on Reddit had their charms acid tested and says the Gnoce ones are silver but Mula ones aren't. Could your friend have clicked a scam link on Facebook and bought a fake? Or maybe it reacted to her skin/perfume/lotion/body spray. Who knows.

I just know my bracelet is fine after 3 years (granted I don't wear it much) and the woman who recommended it to me hasn't said anything about hers tarnishing. But I only know of us two with them. The clasps can be temperamental on all charm bracelets which is why they have safety chains to stop the charms slipping off.

Jukeboxjive · 17/10/2024 22:22

ARE they actually real gold or silver I've not read the thread but I am looking to get my girls one but ideally I'd like something real to last forever

TheFormidableMrsC · 17/10/2024 22:20

MoreCardassianThanKardashian · 17/10/2024 21:36

@TheFormidableMrsC I still haven't ordered it 🤦🏼‍♀️scrolling through the millions of charms.

It's odd how cheap they are but I think it's likely that a)they're from china b) Pandora is overpriced

I do think that the charms are from China. As I said earlier in this thread, I wear a stack which contains 3 Pandora bracelets, two solid bangle types and one snake chain. I only wear a charm on the snake chain. I think that they're very simple and pretty if not overloaded.

Hohofortherobbers · 17/10/2024 21:46

I am eyeing up the thomas sabo charm bracelet in blackened silver

MoreCardassianThanKardashian · 17/10/2024 21:37

bananafishbones1 · 17/10/2024 21:30

Funnily enough after years of saying they were rubbish and never wanting one. I bought my 16 yr old daughter a solid bangle style one and then felt the need to buy one for me. In the summer sale I became quite addicted at looking at all the charms. I just wear it with one charm.

Must be part of their marketing campaign!

OP posts:
MoreCardassianThanKardashian · 17/10/2024 21:36

@TheFormidableMrsC I still haven't ordered it 🤦🏼‍♀️scrolling through the millions of charms.

It's odd how cheap they are but I think it's likely that a)they're from china b) Pandora is overpriced

OP posts:
TheFormidableMrsC · 17/10/2024 21:34

@MoreCardassianThanKardashian I wanted to buy a highland cow charm for a friend. I was struggling to find reviews and information so I posted on a group I'm on that is my go to for anything like this as it's got 20k women on it and there is always somebody who knows! Several people came back and said they'd bought from the brand and it wasn't good quality and appeared to be plating. Then talking about it with a school mum friend who had a similar experience with the brand after buying via a Facebook link. That was all really 🤷🏻‍♀️. It put me off of buying and I got something else in the end. I hope that this has just been bad luck and your bracelet is gorgeous!

@HollyKnight I wear a lot of silver and do indeed take care of it. Yes it does tarnish if not cared for but plated items more so. I have to be very careful with what I wear as I have an allergic reaction to several metals. I actually prefer stainless steel.

bananafishbones1 · 17/10/2024 21:30

Funnily enough after years of saying they were rubbish and never wanting one. I bought my 16 yr old daughter a solid bangle style one and then felt the need to buy one for me. In the summer sale I became quite addicted at looking at all the charms. I just wear it with one charm.

MoreCardassianThanKardashian · 17/10/2024 21:29

Hayley1256 · 17/10/2024 21:25

My SIL has one if these which looks lovely https://www.nomination.com/uk_en/

Cute but costly!

OP posts:
Getstuckin · 17/10/2024 21:28

I’d say you’re a bit too young. They are very dated now

MoreCardassianThanKardashian · 17/10/2024 21:26

HollyKnight · 17/10/2024 21:17

@TheFormidableMrsC Are they not both S925 silver? All sterling silver tarnishes if not looked after properly.

@TheFormidableMrsC according to their website...

What is the material of your charms and bracelets?
Most of the charms and bracelets are made of 925 sterling silver. Some of the charms are made of murano glass or crystal.

OP posts:
iamtheblcksheep · 17/10/2024 21:20

They were trashy twenty years ago on adults and nothing has changed.

Cute on little tweens as long as you don’t overdo the charms

HollyKnight · 17/10/2024 21:17

@TheFormidableMrsC Are they not both S925 silver? All sterling silver tarnishes if not looked after properly.

TheMauveBeaker · 17/10/2024 21:14

I’ve never thought of them as being aimed any specific age group - I’m mid-50s and got my first Pandora bracelet for my 40th. When it was full, I got my second. I love them. I also wear a trio of Pandora stacked rings, they never get taken off.

TheFormidableMrsC · 17/10/2024 20:59

MoreCardassianThanKardashian · 17/10/2024 20:25

It's like you knew that was my next question, re swapping.

That's part of my issue, I want to be a well put together, classy adult and I think Pandora looks that way (I'll just get my white SUV and pumpkin spiced latte) but I'm very taken with the gnoce which looks more chaotic and quirky which for better or worse is me.

So, I'm definitely off to order now. Thank you so much!!!!

I was steered away from the Gnoch brand by a couple of friends who bought items that broke and tarnished quickly. It's not solid silver like Pandora apparently. I was a bit disappointed! Just thought worth mentioning.

HollyKnight · 17/10/2024 20:33

Haha you're welcome. Let me know what you think when it arrives! Hopefully you'll love it too.

MoreCardassianThanKardashian · 17/10/2024 20:25

It's like you knew that was my next question, re swapping.

That's part of my issue, I want to be a well put together, classy adult and I think Pandora looks that way (I'll just get my white SUV and pumpkin spiced latte) but I'm very taken with the gnoce which looks more chaotic and quirky which for better or worse is me.

So, I'm definitely off to order now. Thank you so much!!!!

OP posts: