I personally love the silver on Pandoras glass beads. I could live without the branding on them, but I like the amount of silver. I do prefer silver beads to glass though which is probably why I like them. I only have 3 glass beads on my bracelet for color. I plan on getting more to swap out when I want to match. The rest of my beads are sterling w/14k or plain sterling. I don't think I'd want any more than 3 colored glass beads on mine at one time, just personal preference.
Pandora Bracelets anyone?
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I personally love the silver on Pandoras glass beads. I could live without the branding on them, but I like the amount of silver. I do prefer silver beads to glass though which is probably why I like them. I only have 3 glass beads on my bracelet for color. I plan on getting more to swap out when I want to match. The rest of my beads are sterling w/14k or plain sterling. I don't think I'd want any more than 3 colored glass beads on mine at one time, just personal preference.
Does anyone else have the queen bee? It seems that the top of her crown pokes my arm! Anyone else notice that? Maybe because I haven't gotten a clip yet and she moves....
Hi,
I'd like to rectify what I have said about silver not distracting from glass ... I think it all depend on the look of it.
Like this silver core bead I have found in my searches where silver is very much present over the bead than "usual" cored beads (its from artist Andrea Guirano) The glass bead is double capped (there is 2 pretty patterns on the surface of caps) and everything hold together with the silver core, here's a picture to better show what I mean in my clumsy english speaking:
(Just in case some are curious, it sold on Ebay at 140$!, but ithis is a larger bead for necklace).
I too personally like when more silver than glass .When I'll be ready to buy one (or make one) I'd like to find a way to keep parts of the chain exposed, with some beads around, does some of you wear her bracelet that way?
I'm quite confused about clips, stoppers and diameters of them to be sure it hold beads in place, it's soooo difficult to get info about thickness of all the different chains brands and holes of beads!
Maybe lack of info may be done on purpose as sellers of one brand prefer customers to keep buy from them rather than looking all around to other brand or no name beads.
But it's a good think to look around (even if time consuming) because there is interesting designs of sterling beads (I especially crave tribal & organic look)
Julie
I'd like to rectify what I have said about silver not distracting from glass ... I think it all depend on the look of it.
Like this silver core bead I have found in my searches where silver is very much present over the bead than "usual" cored beads (its from artist Andrea Guirano) The glass bead is double capped (there is 2 pretty patterns on the surface of caps) and everything hold together with the silver core, here's a picture to better show what I mean in my clumsy english speaking:
(Just in case some are curious, it sold on Ebay at 140$!, but ithis is a larger bead for necklace).
I too personally like when more silver than glass .When I'll be ready to buy one (or make one) I'd like to find a way to keep parts of the chain exposed, with some beads around, does some of you wear her bracelet that way?
I'm quite confused about clips, stoppers and diameters of them to be sure it hold beads in place, it's soooo difficult to get info about thickness of all the different chains brands and holes of beads!
Maybe lack of info may be done on purpose as sellers of one brand prefer customers to keep buy from them rather than looking all around to other brand or no name beads.
But it's a good think to look around (even if time consuming) because there is interesting designs of sterling beads (I especially crave tribal & organic look)
Julie
Just a heads-up that on March 17th, prices on Pandora are going up around 15-20%. Yikes! So if you have had your eye on a couple beads, like me, I'd advise you to pick them up in the next couple weeks.
Wow! I guess like everything else these are going up. Too bad since I just started collecting them!
Thanks for the info about prices, my mother wants to buy a starter bracelet and beads, so I'll let her know that she has to make her mind quickly.
Overall silver price keeps increasing lately, it is reflected in all kind of sterling findings I buy I saw 1foot tube to make the silver cores at 45$
holycow!
I wonder if the price of the bracelet itself will rise up also ...
... In response to question to risingsun,
it all depend on the artist who makes the bead, most of people who make silver core beads makes them to fit all the brand name chains, from what I have search, 5mm hole is the average size people artists make them (sometimes they don't say the size, but they will mention what brand name bracelet the bead will fit on) ... some people make beads with smaller holes fitting only the troll chain or selfmade ones (I've found that chain is the same diameter = 3mm, but troll has no thread ends, that's why troll beads don't fit on other brands name chain, but the contrary is possible).
Julie
Overall silver price keeps increasing lately, it is reflected in all kind of sterling findings I buy I saw 1foot tube to make the silver cores at 45$
holycow!I wonder if the price of the bracelet itself will rise up also ...
... In response to question to risingsun,
it all depend on the artist who makes the bead, most of people who make silver core beads makes them to fit all the brand name chains, from what I have search, 5mm hole is the average size people artists make them (sometimes they don't say the size, but they will mention what brand name bracelet the bead will fit on) ... some people make beads with smaller holes fitting only the troll chain or selfmade ones (I've found that chain is the same diameter = 3mm, but troll has no thread ends, that's why troll beads don't fit on other brands name chain, but the contrary is possible).
Julie
Oh, definitely. Everything they offer that is made of silver or gold is going up. Trollbeads just raised their prices too.
HURRY, Only 1 Day Left!!! MANDATORY 20% PRICE INCREASE MARCH 1ST OF ALL TROLLBEADS WEBSTES & STORES - Call and take advantage now while prices are still 20% Lower.
Just got this in an email from http://www.cherrylanecollection.com/trollbeads.htm
Just got this in an email from http://www.cherrylanecollection.com/trollbeads.htm
I ran to my jewelry store yesterday to get a few new beads. The sign said that on March 3rd, all Troll prices increase by 20% and then the 17th for all Pandora.
A 20% increase is so insane. I realize that silver is at its highest its ever been, but out of curiosity yesterday, I weighed one of my beads and going by the price index online, its only $6 worth of silver but it was a $34 bead and as of tomorrow will be a $41 bead.
Now I know that you have to take into consideration the design of it and what that costs, the price to have it manufactured and room for profit, but still, the prices are going to be over the top now. I think I will have to reign in my Troll addiction
A 20% increase is so insane. I realize that silver is at its highest its ever been, but out of curiosity yesterday, I weighed one of my beads and going by the price index online, its only $6 worth of silver but it was a $34 bead and as of tomorrow will be a $41 bead.
Now I know that you have to take into consideration the design of it and what that costs, the price to have it manufactured and room for profit, but still, the prices are going to be over the top now. I think I will have to reign in my Troll addiction
I ran to my jewelry store yesterday to get a few new beads. The sign said that on March 3rd, all Troll prices increase by 20% and then the 17th for all Pandora.
A 20% increase is so insane. I realize that silver is at its highest its ever been, but out of curiosity yesterday, I weighed one of my beads and going by the price index online, its only $6 worth of silver but it was a $34 bead and as of tomorrow will be a $41 bead.
Now I know that you have to take into consideration the design of it and what that costs, the price to have it manufactured and room for profit, but still, the prices are going to be over the top now. I think I will have to reign in my Troll addiction
I totally agree. I think these companies are shooting themselves in the feet. The jewelry business has already taken a HUGE hit from a slowing economy and this is going to make it worse. I was expecting an increase, but to this extent? Heavens, no. I would imagine that you will see eBay's bead business increase as sellers will unload beads for what they paid or more to make a profit. And, buyers, can pick them up for far less than their new inflated prices. I may have to take another look at my bead stash to see what I can part with to make room for something else I want.
Yes, I too agree it's much more than sterling higher price that makes them doing an increase, beyond sterling price, Design, Profit margin what I think makes the price high is Brand name. I mean popularity is increasing, so I think they are thinking, well if people are willing to pay 40$ for a bead, 48$ is no big deal if they REALLY want it! For the consumer it's a 8$ increase and for them it's million, maybe billions???
Although after all my searches on the different look of base bracelet and the fact that my favorite was the troll one, my mother and I have decided to go with base bracelet with no name and some inexpensive beads to start (about 12 beads each). It has cost us about 80$ each for a starter bracelet. I'll probably decide to change later for a more expensive base that is more to my taste, but I'm not sure I will want to encourage the company who is making this kind of insane increase.
Personally, I'm not comfortable with the idea (nor my budget) of paying over 20$ for each bead that is machine made. (yes the design is from an artist, but after that the process is manufactured so it's really not that expensive for them to make them thousand of time the same) ... What I'm at ease with is once in a while, buying one of troll or pandora bead as a "gift" to myself (or to a loved one) that's great. An desiring something makes it even more beautiful in my eyes.
So, I'll be looking on Ebay, for some pretty troll or pandora bead that I would really like. I love to search and bid, it's such a fun game, and of course we'll add my own creation of lampwork beads (my mother is into discussion on the price she is willing to pay for them, since I am her daughter she wants privileges! hihih)
Naturally, I'm in favor of artisan made beads since I am one, I know what handmade work is all about, supplies, energy & time and most important love into creation. That's why I made the choice to built my bracelet with more sterling handmade beads.
For people wanting to look for other sources of beads, there is a lot of possibilities, I have discover Hill Tribe Beads (you may know them already) it's handmade by artisans with traditional silversmith methods and they use 99.9 Fine Silver, so the color is not the same as silver is more pure and and it's more like a "satin" finish. What is interesting is the hollow ones, I think holes could be enlarged to fit chain. Here's an example of a puffed flower bead :
... In brief
with those interchangeable jewelry , there is room for everything, manufactured expensive, inexpensive and all over the World artisans !
ciao,
Julie
Although after all my searches on the different look of base bracelet and the fact that my favorite was the troll one, my mother and I have decided to go with base bracelet with no name and some inexpensive beads to start (about 12 beads each). It has cost us about 80$ each for a starter bracelet. I'll probably decide to change later for a more expensive base that is more to my taste, but I'm not sure I will want to encourage the company who is making this kind of insane increase.
Personally, I'm not comfortable with the idea (nor my budget) of paying over 20$ for each bead that is machine made. (yes the design is from an artist, but after that the process is manufactured so it's really not that expensive for them to make them thousand of time the same) ... What I'm at ease with is once in a while, buying one of troll or pandora bead as a "gift" to myself (or to a loved one) that's great. An desiring something makes it even more beautiful in my eyes.
So, I'll be looking on Ebay, for some pretty troll or pandora bead that I would really like. I love to search and bid, it's such a fun game, and of course we'll add my own creation of lampwork beads (my mother is into discussion on the price she is willing to pay for them, since I am her daughter she wants privileges! hihih)
Naturally, I'm in favor of artisan made beads since I am one, I know what handmade work is all about, supplies, energy & time and most important love into creation. That's why I made the choice to built my bracelet with more sterling handmade beads.
For people wanting to look for other sources of beads, there is a lot of possibilities, I have discover Hill Tribe Beads (you may know them already) it's handmade by artisans with traditional silversmith methods and they use 99.9 Fine Silver, so the color is not the same as silver is more pure and and it's more like a "satin" finish. What is interesting is the hollow ones, I think holes could be enlarged to fit chain. Here's an example of a puffed flower bead :
... In brief
with those interchangeable jewelry , there is room for everything, manufactured expensive, inexpensive and all over the World artisans !ciao,
Julie
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