By Joseph/ February 21st, 2024/ There are currently 13 comments
When you find a website offering 50% off on a PANDORA charm or an online site with hard-to-find PANDORA items in stock, it can be quite tempting. But as the old saying goes, “If something seems too good to be true, it probably is”.
So, stop because it’s probably a fake.
Unless it comes from us, of course.
At Grace & Co we have lost count of the number of customers who have come into our stores with a PANDORA item that they have bought online which has turned out to be fake. It is very upsetting for them as they feel cheated and are left with a poor-quality item. Sadly, we cannot help you with refunds or warranty if you buy a fake.
Below we have a few guidelines to help on how to spot a fake PANDORA. If there is a question that you need answering, If you have any questions, please contact one of our PANDORA Stockists.
What is the Issue with Fake PANDORA Items?
Here are a few examples:
- Fake PANDORA charms often aren’t made of silver.
- Fake items tend to tarnish rather quickly.
- The workmanship is usually of a poor quality.
- The CZs (cubic zirconias) fall out quite soon.
- They can irritate the skin as the materials used to make them are the cheapest.
- They are not covered by any of PANDORA’s guarantees and warranties.
Photos can lie.
Many customers have come to us with charms they have bought online which looked good in the photo but were very disappointing in real life. It’s too late by then as the fake site has your money but has no intention of refunding you. You won’t even find a returns policy or phone number.
Fake PANDORA items are also often run from overseas and it is believed that they may be made in sweatshops funding illegal activities.
Fake PANDORA items are big business for criminals.
Stay away!
How Do I Know If My PANDORA Item Is Real?
Genuine PANDORA charms are often threaded inside the charm. Putting a fake charm on a genuine PANDORA bracelet may damage the bracelet as the thread in fake charms is so poorly made.
Every PANDORA item passes through the hands of 30-50 skilled silversmiths; each item is hand-finished to a high quality. Fakes often miss the detail that makes PANDORA jewellery so special.
The best way to ensure that your item is genuine is to buy from a PANDORA authorised retailer like one of our Grace & Co stores.
Lorna McQuillan – Director
Genuine PANDORA items have these traits:
- They all have the ALE marking. This comes from Per Enevoldsen, the founder of PANDORA and these are the initials of his father Algot Enevoldsen.
- There is always a crown over the “O” ofPANDORA.
- There is always a hallmark. S925 for sterling silver charms and 585 for the 14ct gold items.
- The items will be in the catalogue, although discontinued or old charms will not be.
One final word as so many of us travel abroad now – be careful buying from abroad – as some stores look like genuine PANDORA concept stores but they are actually selling fakes.
Have you had a bad experience buying fake Pandora either in this country or abroad? Share your experience with us to warn others.”
FAQs
How do I know if Pandora is genuine?
Check the maker’s mark to determine the origin of the jewellery. The usual mark on Pandora jewellery is “ALE”, which stands for Algot Enevoldsen, the father of Pandora founder Per Enevoldsen. Except for the smallest pieces, our jewellery is always marked with “ALE”.
What do fake Pandora charms look like?
Fake PANDORA charms are frequently created from non-silver materials. Fake things tend to tarnish quickly. The workmanship is generally of inferior quality. The CZs (cubic zirconias) fall out fairly quickly.
Is Amazon Pandora genuine or fake?
According to Amazon, all of the products they provide are Pandora originals, complete with their original box and certificate of authenticity.
