Pandora vs. Chamilia

[budmonster]

I bought a Chamilia bracelet yesterday. My store gave me a free bracelet if I bought 6 or more charms, which I did. For me it was more about the bracelet itself than the charms. I went with the flexible bangle style. When I first loaded up the traditional style, all 7 of my selected charms fell to the underside of my wrist due to the weight. The lady said that people to complain about that and it is one of the reasons that they fill up the bracelet quickly. So, I decided to put the beads on the bangle and since the bangle doesn't turn, all the beads stay on the top of my wrist. I absolutely love it!

I'm going to a store tonight that sells Pandora. I can't say if I will mix or not.

Do you mind if I ask you where this was, was it at a national chain? My dd11 has her recital coming up on June 12 and I really don't want to get the typical stuffed animal and flowers again. I was thinking about getting her a one of these bracelets with some charms. Do anyone here have one for their young child? Also how does the sizing work, if I get her one to fit her now and they adjustable as she gets bigger, into adulthood?

 

[Skatermom23]

Do you mind if I ask you where this was, was it at a national chain? My dd11 has her recital coming up on June 12 and I really don't want to get the typical stuffed animal and flowers again. I was thinking about getting her a one of these bracelets with some charms. Do anyone here have one for their young child? Also how does the sizing work, if I get her one to fit her now and they adjustable as she gets bigger, into adulthood?

The bracelet isn't adjustable but they don't cost much anyway (about $55) so get what fits her now and you can always replace it as she grows. The store I went to is not a national chain. Actually, I found a web site that was offering this deal of 6 charms and a free bracelet. I asked at the local jewelery store if they would offer me the same deal and they said "of course!"

 

[Aisling]

I bought a Chamilia bracelet yesterday. My store gave me a free bracelet if I bought 6 or more charms, which I did. For me it was more about the bracelet itself than the charms. I went with the flexible bangle style.

I'm going to a store tonight that sells Pandora. I can't say if I will mix or not.

I like the flex bangle, too.

I hope you come back and post if you bought anything from Pandora.

Do any of you have the Murano glass beads? I was wondering if there's a chipping issue with them.

 

[czycropper]

I have a Pandora that has Pandora beads as well as Brighton beads. I also have a Brighton bracelet which has all Brighton beads in my DDs cheer competition team colors.

My DD12 has a Pandora leather bracelet which she loves and wears everyday - she only has a couple of beads in it which is fine with her.

It's addicting which ever one you get

 

[emer95]

I have a Pandora bracelet with a mixture of Pandora and Chamilia beads. I even have one bead that I bought in Canada that I can't remember the name of. I absolutely love it and it was only $9. It has pink stones in it and it's gorgeous!

I love my bracelet and I'm having so much fun slowly collecting my beads. My husband wanted to buy me all of my beads at once to just fill it up (that's how he is). But to me, the fun of it is slowly getting them a piece at a time, so each one is meaningful.

 

[Angelrose]

I have the Pandora bracelet with Pandora, Chamilia and Zable charms on it. I have several of the Murano beads and they wear great. I have had them since November and wear my bracelet every day.

 

[Evi]

If I ever purchase another one it will be a troll bracelet of the 3 its the smallest so you can mix the beads.

 

[Skatermom23]

I like the flex bangle, too.

I hope you come back and post if you bought anything from Pandora.

Do any of you have the Murano glass beads? I was wondering if there's a chipping issue with them.

I went to a national chain jewelry store that sells Pandora last night. The Pandora beads are larger than the Chamilia ones. For me, I prefer the smaller bead because I have a smaller wrist. Pandora did have some nice silver charms but I wasn't too impressed with the attitude of the sales lady. When I bought my Chamilia bracelet, the lady told me that I can mix and match beads and basically buy what I like. I didn't get the "hard sell" speech. This lady, last night, told me that I can't mix and match Pandora and Chamilia. She insisted that you had to have a Pandora bracelet and put Chamilia charms on them but you couldn't have a Chamilia bracelet and put the Pandora charms on those. I know this isn't correct because I tried it out. She also claims that if you put a Pandora charm on a Chamilia bracelet it nulls the warrenty. It was all very hard sell to get you to only do Pandora. I didn't like that at all. I had thought to maybe get a few Pandora but I think I will stick to the Chamilia ones.

Also on the way out the door, another customer stopped me and asked me about my bracelet. She liked the way the beads stayed on the top of my wrist instead of the free flow thing. Like I mentioned in a previous post, it is the flexible bangle and it doesn't turn so you can control where the beads are.

I have probably put way too much thought into a bracelet but it has been fun!

 

[Kit'smommy]

I went to a national chain jewelry store that sells Pandora last night. The Pandora beads are larger than the Chamilia ones. For me, I prefer the smaller bead because I have a smaller wrist. Pandora did have some nice silver charms but I wasn't too impressed with the attitude of the sales lady. When I bought my Chamilia bracelet, the lady told me that I can mix and match beads and basically buy what I like. I didn't get the "hard sell" speech. This lady, last night, told me that I can't mix and match Pandora and Chamilia. She insisted that you had to have a Pandora bracelet and put Chamilia charms on them but you couldn't have a Chamilia bracelet and put the Pandora charms on those. I know this isn't correct because I tried it out. She also claims that if you put a Pandora charm on a Chamilia bracelet it nulls the warrenty. It was all very hard sell to get you to only do Pandora. I didn't like that at all. I had thought to maybe get a few Pandora but I think I will stick to the Chamilia ones.

Also on the way out the door, another customer stopped me and asked me about my bracelet. She liked the way the beads stayed on the top of my wrist instead of the free flow thing. Like I mentioned in a previous post, it is the flexible bangle and it doesn't turn so you can control where the beads are.

I have probably put way too much thought into a bracelet but it has been fun!

Both companies have a mix of smaller and larger charms. I have several Pandora that are really tiny and my Chamilia Frog is easily as large as my largest Pandora bead.

Also, the speil you get depends on the store and who is working there, more than the product. The ladies at the three Pandora stores I like to visit are lovely and they have a mix of several brands on their own bracelets. The owner of one of the local stores selling the Chamilia beads couldn't be more obnoxious about her product and the fact she doesn't like Pandora. Like I said, I have both and have started several bracelets for me and other people. I usually start out with a Pandora base bracelet, two clips and a bead for the center section. I would recommend then adding beads for the other two sections and then the center again, to keep the weight distributed evenly so the beads don't fall to the bottom.

I also avoid Bond and Jarrod's as I don't love the attitudes of the sales people at any of them I have ever visited. The sales staff at the local boutiques that carry the beads are usually much better and they are usually more familiar with the product if you are looking for something specific.

Enjoy mixing and matching as several companies have very nice products and which is better depends a great deal on personal taste.

 

[haley's mom]

I'm looking into these bracelets. DD's class jsut gave a pandora to her teacher for teacher appreciation week.

I am leaning towards Chamilia for Disney beads.

My question is, I am in Pittsburgh, where can I find stores that carry either brand?

 

[Skatermom23]

I'm looking into these bracelets. DD's class jsut gave a pandora to her teacher for teacher appreciation week.

I am leaning towards Chamilia for Disney beads.

My question is, I am in Pittsburgh, where can I find stores that carry either brand?

You can go to their main web site and plug in your zip code. It will tell you where to shop!

 

[crz4mm2]

I have a Pandora bracelet (LOVE it) and lots of Pandora beads.
I also have "generic" beads.

Buy what you like.
I am buying a woven leather bracelet for DDIL for her b-day or for xmas....

 

[jacksmom]

I have a Pandora bracelet and love it! On our Easter Disney trip I found the Chamilia Disney charms and loved them, but did not want to mix them with my (almost full) Pandora! So, I did buy a Chamilia bracelet so I can fill it with Disney charms! But, I do like my Pandora better!

 

[SaraJayne]

I have a mix of Pandora, Chamilia (disney) and Da Vinci beads.

I love my bracelet...and funnily enough, people admire my "cheapy" beads a lot more than the more expensive Pandora and Chamilia beads.

 

[SpecialK]

Where do you find DaVinci beads? I just got a Pandora bracelet for Mothers' Day and my birthday is just around the corner.

 

[SaraJayne]

Where do you find DaVinci beads? I just got a Pandora bracelet for Mothers' Day and my birthday is just around the corner.

We bought them at a specialty gift store (http://www.treehousegiftandhome.com/davinci-beads.html) but I know some Hallmarks carry them around here.

 

[Aisling]

Checking out da Vinci beads right now!

 

[Aisling]

Are Davinci beads durable? Somehow they look a little plastic-ish to me.

 

[SpecialK]

Checking out da Vinci beads right now!

Me, too! Very cute - Thanks!

 

[SaraJayne]

Mine aren't plastic-y at all. You can't tell any difference between them when looking at my bracelet.