Published On:Tuesday, August 03, 2010

Tribune Features Writer

In 1999, the Pandora jewelry manufacturers introduced for the very first time a charm bracelet to rival all charm bracelets. Pandora charm bracelets put a spin on the classical trinkets and captures some of life’s most precious memories.

When the Pandora line was first introduced to the Bahamian public seven years ago by  Bahama Republic, a local jewelry store located East By Street, it took jewelry lovers a while to catch the Pandora fever.

Now, Pandora has become one of the hottest must-have jewelry items today. Women, teens, and tweens have all indulged in Pandora’s “charm”.

But what is it that actually puts them on the most wanted list? Is it because they are made with precious metals like gold, oxidised and sterling silver? Is it because they can be customised? Or is it because they are affordable and make great gifts?

Tribune Woman spoke to Natalia, an assistant manager at Bahama Republic who said the  answer to that question is all of the above.

“What makes a Pandora bracelet a must have item is they make great gifts. You might have a family member you may want to purchase a gift for, you can purchase her a Pandora bracelet or if she already has one you can purchase a bead as reminder,” she said.

The idea of collecting beads to fill the entire patent threaded novelty is what makes it fun. Swapping charms to suit attire and mood is another reason women have fallen head over heels for Pandora.

“The charms can reflect your mood. You can switch them up. For instance if you are feeling happy you can choose a bead that signifies your happiness. If are feeling blue you can select a bead that suits your mood,” Natalia explained.

However, one of the main reasons women have fallen weak to Pandora’s “charm is because it allows them to tell stories with each bead.

For three women, Pryia Simmons, Cara Bethel, and Alesha Cadet the bracelets don’t just make fashion statements. They make statements about their lives and some of the people in it.

Pryia Simmons has a few special beads on her bracelet. They are an angel, a suitcase, a heart stopper, and flowers.

She said: “I got the angel because I am my dad’s angel. I got the suitcase because I love to travel. The heart stopper represents my boyfriend because he keeps everything in place in my life and the flower is so that my life could flourish,” she told Tribune Woman.

After having her first son last October, Cara Bethel is customising a bracelet to record every milestone in his life. She even named the bracelet after him. She calls it ‘The Dylan Bracelet.’

“My Pandora is a permanent reminder of the milestones in my baby's life. So far, I have two blue coloured beads, a little boy because he is a boy of course, a baby carriage, a mama monkey holding a baby monkey because his nursery has a monkey theme and a gift box because he is the best present I ever got,” Mrs Bethel said.

 Alesha Cadet started her bracelet with a home bead. She said: “Home is where the heart is and that is Eleuthera. I got the number 21 charm when I turned 21. I am going with light colours for my charm bracelet because they match my spirit. I am light hearted and happy,” she said.

One of her charm in particular represents a past love. She chose that bead because she said it motivates her to keep moving forward.

“The teddy bear is a reminder of an ex special love. Whenever I want to pick up the phone to give him a call, I look at it and it is a reminder of what to never get myself into,” she told Tribune Woman.