Pandora is one of the highly reputable premium jewelry brands known for offering a large variety of jewelry to match their customers’ different and often eclectic styles.
But like jewelry from all other premium brands, the jewelry options are not always the cheapest ones on the market. So, if you are thinking of buying Pandora’s jewelry, you may want to spend a little time learning about the materials that Pandora uses for their jewelry.
It’s also worth noting that Pandora’s establishment was primarily fueled by the need to create and offer women across the world access to high-quality and handcrafted modern jewelry that is not only made of genuine, solid materials but also sold affordably.
And over the years, it’s refreshing to see that Pandora has stuck to its mission and vision, making the brand a lot more accessible to more people worldwide.
Oh, do not forget to check our related topic: What is Swarovski Jewelry Made of?
So, what materials does Pandora use to create high-quality and affordable jewelry?
1. Sterling silver
As mentioned above, Pandora creates a wealth of hand-finished and modern jewelry using high-quality materials. And on top of the list of materials used by Pandora lies Sterling Silver.
If you want to know more about Sterling Silver, this post is for you!
For many people, Pandora jewelry is synonymous with sterling silver jewelry thanks to the high percentage of silver jewelry with a white surface that Pandora is known for. And as a result, sterling silver or silver is known as Pandora’s signature metal.
Note that sterling silver, 92.5% silver alloy, is chosen over pure silver because despite being one of the most lustrous metals used in jewelry, pure silver is just too soft and malleable, and the jewelry wouldn’t last as long.
Instead, pure silver is alloyed with 7.5% copper to create 925 sterling silver which is more durable and harder than pure silver, hence more durable jewelry.
However, the alloying doesn’t alter the color of the jewelry, and sterling silver retains that lustrous gray finish that Pandora’s jewelry is known for. The 925 Hallmark easily identifies this jewelry, and the Pandora name is incorporated in the jewelry as a stamp or mark of quality.
The sterling silver alloy used is a high-strength white metal alloy and the standard or world’s most popular silver alloy that Pandora uses for their rings, bracelets, charms, and earrings.
925 Sterling silver is ideal for jewelry; it has the same color as pure silver, and it also preserves pure silver’s mass and luster but is more durable and resistant to wear and tear. So, if you are worried about the durability of the Pandora sterling silver jewelry, you shouldn’t because they will last long.
The only caveat is that, like pure silver, sterling silver tarnishes naturally over time through oxidation. And so, months or years after buying the sterling silver jewelry, you will notice a grayish-black film developing over it, leaving it with a much darker finish.
The good news is that the dark tarnish layer is temporary, and you will be able to quickly get rid of the dark film by cleaning the jewelry – in most cases, good ol’ soap and warm water will get the job done quickly and perfect
Pros
- Lustrous gray finish
- Durable affordable
- High-quality jewelry is made of sterling silver
Cons
- Tarnishes quickly
2. Cubic Zirconia
Most of Pandora’s sterling silver jewelry is bedazzled with high-quality stones. But given their significantly low price tag, you may be doubting if the stones used are actual diamonds.
Well, you’re right to doubt the prices, and you should know that most of Pandora’s jewelry is bedazzled with high-quality, lab-created, and dazzling cubic zirconia stones.
In the recent statistics by Pandora, up to 99% of their stones are made in the lab, and the cubic zirconias are the primary type of dazzling stones that they make in their labs.
These man-made stones are created in the most eco-friendly conditions. And thanks to their creation in the laboratories, there is little waste, the colors of the stones are uniform, and the stones are practically perfect chemically and structurally.
Pandora goes through all these efforts to create the perfect cubic zirconia stones because this lab-created stone could be said to be Pandora’s crown jewel.
And this makes sense because the only difference between the cubic zirconia stones made in the lab and the natural diamonds would be the fact that the CZ stones are not as brilliant as the natural diamonds.
Pros
- Looks just as good as real diamonds
- Nice sparkle
- Affordable
- Eco-friendly
Cons
- Many fake and lower-grade imitations on the market
3. 14k gold-plated metal
To ensure variety in the jewelry options they offer, Pandora also boasts a vast catalog of gold-plated jewelry. Note that, unlike other premium brands, Pandora’s gold jewelry is gold-plated and not made of solid gold, which is something you must be well aware of before you buy Pandora’s gold jewelry.
However, Pandora’s 14k gold–plated jewelry is made of Pandora’s unique blend of metals, resulting in a very luxurious and radiant golden shimmer in all their gold jewelry.
The flattering and warm shade of the gold-plated jewelry comes from using a unique blend of metals for the core, which is then coated with palladium before the layer of gold is added.
Palladium acts as the barrier between the core metals and the gold, and it prevents some of the metals from the core from migrating to the top, altering the apparent color of the gold jewelry. As a result, the gold-plated jewelry tends to retain the golden finish for a long time.
Many other brands that create gold-plated jewelry use nickel in place of palladium, meaning that there is always a very high risk of the jewelry irritating the skin as the layer of gold starts to wear off.
Palladium is a strong, non-reactive, hypoallergenic metal that is also very durable. It not only keeps the core metals at the core, but it will also resist corrosion and oxidation. As a result, Pandora’s 14k gold-plated jewelry lasts very long.
It’s also worth mentioning that after adding a layer of palladium, the jewelry is plated with a thick, deep, and rich gold layer. The thickness of the gold matches the high standards in the jewelry industry.
Pandora’s 14k gold plated jewelry options include rings, earrings, charms, and bracelets, all accessible at relatively low and very affordable prices.
That said, you need to remember that the gold-plated jewelry is subject to wear and tear, and the pieces will get oxidized over time, albeit naturally.
To slow down the oxidation rate, avoid oxidants like chlorine, cleaning agents, perfume, or even perspiration because all these make the jewelry oxidize too fast.
Also, follow Pandora’s recommendations for care and maintenance of the jewelry.
Pros
- It’s durable thanks to the unique technique used in its creation
- Lustrous and warm golden finish
- Elegantly designed jewelry options
- Affordable
Cons
- The layer of gold wears out eventually
4. Crystals
Pandora’s crystals are made out of glass, specifically, Murano glass and Murrine. The Italian Murano glass is processed through a set of delicate and detailed processes that yield the most elegant glass and crystals added to the Pandora jewelry, often as embellishments and charms.
Pros
- The crystals add a regal look to the jewelry
- Inexpensive option
- Low maintenance costs
Cons
- Not as durable as real crystals
5. Leather
Pandora also offers a variety of beautifully handcrafted jewelry made of leather. So, if you are searching for jewelry by Pandora that is made of one of the coolest alternative materials, you could opt for their leather pieces.
These add a nice texture and an edge to the jewelry. They use leather sourced sustainably from some of the most reputable suppliers. It has undergone rigorous testing for quality control, ensuring that they meet Pandora’s very high-quality standards.
They also use natural leather available in different stunning colors. And Pandora’s leather bracelets undergo several complex steps that transform the animal hide into one of the softest leather dyed into different colors that the leather bracelets come in.
Pros
- Stunning designs
- Good variety of color options to choose from
- Elegant finishes
- They work with charms well
Cons
- Many imitations of the leather bracelets on the market
- Considered more expensive than other options available today
Other materials used by pandora to create their jewelry include:
- Natural stones
- Synthetic/ Man-made stones
- 14k rose gold plated metals
- Pearls
- Enamel
- Other textiles like cotton
Conclusion
Before you buy Pandora’s jewelry, look out for details of the jewelry’s materials.
In many cases, the material used will tell you if the pieces are legit Pandora pieces or not.
So, any material other than what we’ve listed above would point to a fake.
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Tiger is a fashion&jewelry lover. He is also a fashion jewelry manufacturer that help thousands of small business to grow and also do business with some big fashion jewelry brands. He is a truly metal expert and he will share some information you are looking for.