Can someone explain Pandora to me?

[KaycePollard]

Every Christmas time, I see people in a long queue outside the Pandora shop. It's started again this year. What is the deal with Pandora? It looks like fairly bland mass-produced stuff to me, but it seems pricey for what it is. I'm fascinated to know what the attraction is?

Not read the whole thread. But my mum had a silver charm bracelet and I adored studying all the different charms. Jonah in the Whale and a princess in a carriage where my favourites.

And an easy gift every Birthday and Christmas.

I was given a Pandora bracelet as a present but the catch has broken. Would a normal jeweller fix it? misses point of thread

I don't think op was being goady. It looks as if people have certain opinions of Pandora and used OP to affirm them.

As I've said several times, I was intrigued about the queues for a high street shop, which is pretty niche & specialised. Thanks to PP for explaining why that happens.

And I love the charm bracelet stories!

I just think if you know your girlfriend/daughter/sister/friend had a Pandora charm bracelet then it makes it easier to buy presents if you're stuck for other ideas. I have a Pandora charm bracelet, my Aunty gave it to me as a gift when I moved abroad with a suitcase charm on jt. I don't take it all too seriously but I do love it. I look at it and see the charm my stepmom gave to me on the morning of my wedding, the Up balloon/house charm that I bought myself when I recovered from a prolonged and upsetting bout of mental illness, the Harry Potter charms that my young son has picked out for Christmas and my birthday etc and it's just nice to be wearing something that when you look at it reminds you of important people, good times and things worth celebrating. Nothing more, nothing less, it's certainly not any kind of fashion statement it's just a bracelet that makes me feel happy when I look at it.

I used to love links of London but they have ceased trading now.

@FredAstairesChair

Not sure about a normal jewellers fixing it (although I don’t see why they wouldn’t/couldn’t) but Pandora themselves will fix it. I believe it’s free if the bracelet is under a year or two old and you still have the receipt.

It’s a daft question because ‘why do people like Pandora’

That wasn't actually my question ...

It felt a bit faux innocent if you ask me but ok.

@KaycePollard

It’s a daft question because ‘why do people like Pandora’

That wasn't actually my question ...

Your ended the op ‘I’m fascinated to know what the attraction is.’ I presumed this meant you wanted to know why people liked them. So, unless I’ve missed something, that very much was your question.

@KaycePollard

Every Christmas time, I see people in a long queue outside the Pandora shop. It's started again this year. What is the deal with Pandora? It looks like fairly bland mass-produced stuff to me, but it seems pricey for what it is. I'm fascinated to know what the attraction is?

This was your op by the way.

So your questions were ‘what’s the deal with Pandora?’ And ‘I’m fascinated to know what the attraction is?’

I’m confused, how can you say your question wasn’t why do people like Pandora? There was no other question in there.

I have a Pandora bracelet. I love it. All of my charms have been chosen by my children for Christmas and birthdays.

It brings me joy.

@TalkSomeSense20

How is it 'goady' and 'snobbish' to ask the question?? The OP was perhaps quite genuinely interested in the why? Perhaps some of the PP throwing the words goady and snobbish around would do well to look at the need for such a defensive response. I don't get Pandora either. But I'd be genuinely interested why people do like it. I know the franchisee of two Pandora outlets and know what the profit margins are like! The jewellery is cheaply made and my own 'why' would come from wanting to understand why people buy items that are so clearly mass produced and marketed rather than seek out a local silversmith and support a small, independent business.

Likewise I wonder why people buy their food at Marks & Spencer?? But I expect that too will make me 'goady' and an inverted snob??

Well that would depend on whether you just asked or made sweeping and negative statements labelling something as cheaply made, bland, mass produced etc.

Asking is fine, being judgemental would make you appear goady and snobby.

They are quite "in" among younger teen girls and have been for a few years, they think it's cool to have a Pandora ring or five (rather than the charms).

I will say that I think they wear quite well, come nicely packaged and don't seem to tarnish easily. Certainly a step up from Primark jewellery - which you'd expect at the price.

My dd15 likes it, it is attractive to that age group

I had a Pandora ring and it actually burned my skin. I had allergy testing after an eyelash reaction and it came back I was heavily reactive to nickel. Of which I think Pandora has in masses

They artificially create it. SIL likes it and we had to queue up to get her a charm one Christmas. They were limiting customers to two inside at any time (years ago, nothing to do with covid) then making you walk round the whole shop rather than go to the bit you knew you wanted then making a massive palaver of fancy wrapping and really slow service that I think was meant to make it feel luxurious but was just utterly tedious.

It's a bit like when you go on holiday and enter a restaurant, they seat people in the most public facing seats first then take an age to serve, bring food, bring the bill etc to keep you there and make the place look busy for as long as possible. If it's busy it must be good. A tactic employed not just in mid priced retail

@PumpkinCrumble

It’s a range of silver and gold jewellery in different styles, with well placed high street shops.

its cheap nasty plated tat...how people spend on it...i dont know...its not even real silver etc....it tarnishes and looks awful after a few years...its only chinese cheap tat..!!

Most of it is solid 925 silver

ie NOT plated

I have an old style charm bracelet which was my Granny’s. It’s unbelievably annoying to wear, but I enjoy seeing it in my jewellery box and playing with all the moving parts.

@LaurieFairyCake

Most of it is solid 925 silver

ie NOT plated

oh...my friend works in a pawn shop....they dont buy any of it...no weight at all in the charms and he said they have only seen nickel or rhodium items....must have changed recently....anyway...its totally over priced...only worth a few pounds each.

[quote Kanaloa]@FredAstairesChair

Not sure about a normal jewellers fixing it (although I don’t see why they wouldn’t/couldn’t) but Pandora themselves will fix it. I believe it’s free if the bracelet is under a year or two old and you still have the receipt.[/quote]
Thank you :)

Oh, I didn't realise Pandora was all plated Nickel- I must get onto to trading standards then because mine all have a Sterling 925 hallmark and they shouldn't be able to sell fake jewellery, should they?

BTW, Pandora jewellery only seems to be sold in gold plate or solid sterling silver according to their website.

I am looking for a new pendant necklace- I looked on their website- I honestly can't see any difference between their jewellery and that other shops selling silver necklaces. I've been to the local independent jewellers in my town- their jewellery is similar too- it's all much of a muchness to me. uk.pandora.net/en/jewellery/necklaces/pendant-necklaces/#position=top&src=categorySearch

I'd love someone who thinks Pandora is the height of cheap tack, to link to something which is classy and great quality!

I find it kind of sweet when people say ‘you sound like a snob’, and think that’s going to wound them to their very soul.

Believe me, it is water off a duck’s back.

I am snobby about all sorts of things - in my own head. I fully own it. 🤷🏻‍♀️

@LoveGrooveDanceParty

I find it kind of sweet when people say ‘you sound like a snob’, and think that’s going to wound them to their very soul.

Believe me, it is water off a duck’s back.

I am snobby about all sorts of things - in my own head. I fully own it. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Good for you? Not sure what that has to do with anything, and it’s not exactly in your own head to start a goady mumsnet thread about. But congrats on being snobby about lots of things, that must make you very happy.