REVIEW: Pandora Brilliance 0.25 Carat 14k Gold Open Bangle

“True friends are like diamonds –
bright, beautiful, valuable, and always in style.”

Frost yourself with the elegant and sparkling Pandora Brilliance 0.25 Carat Open Bangle in 14k Gold!

Pandora collectors were delighted last month with the release of the incredible Pandora Brilliance Collection. Currently exclusive to the UK, the Pandora Brilliance Collection features lab-created diamonds set in beautiful jewellery with a contemporay infinity design. The range includes diamonds sized from 0.15 carat to 1 carat and are available in silver, 14k Gold and 14k White Gold.

Like other Pandora fans I immediately fell in love with the stunning Pandora Brilliance Collection. My amazing husband chose three items from the range as gifts to celebrate our years of marriage. In this post I will review the gorgeous Pandora Brilliance 0.25 Carat 14k Gold Open Bangle (559473C01).

Dora Explores: Pandora Brilliance 0.25 Carat 14k Gold Open Bangle

If you are like me, you may not have heard much about lab-created diamonds. In recent years lab-created diamonds have become more popular, especially since De Beers, the world’s largest natural diamond miner and retailer, began to produce it’s own lab-grown diamonds.

A lab-grown diamond is a diamond. It is chemically, physically and optically identical to a mined diamond. The only difference is that one is made above ground and one below.

Lab-diamonds provide an ethical choice for those, like Megan Markle, who are concerned about sustainability. Shockingly, an estimated 250 tonnes of earth is shifted for every single carat of diamond. In fact the vast amounts of earth and rock removed creates holes so big they can be seen from space! Former Tiffany chief executive Michael J. Kowalski wrote that there are, “few industries in the world have a larger environmental and social footprint than mining”.

As a long time collector and fan of Pandora jewellery I am delighted with the release of the Pandora Brilliance Collection and proud of Pandora’s efforts to become an ethical and sustainable company.

The Pandora Brilliance Collection includes two bracelet designs: the Sparkling Teardrop Chain Bracelet and the Open Bangle. More choices are available for the Sparkling Teardrop Chain Bracelet which is purchasable in sterling silver, 14k Gold or 14k White Gold with a choice of 0.15, 0.25, 0.5 carat diamonds.

My preferred design is the Pandora Brilliance Open Bangle (559473C01) which has a beautiful infinity symbol that flows smoothly into the bangle. Available in either 14k Gold or 14k White Gold, the Pandora Brilliance Open Bangle is adorned with a sparkling 0.25 carat diamond.

The Pandora Brilliance Open Bangle is presented in a stylish gift box along with a black suede pouch and pink envelope containing a diamond certificate and care guide. Each certificate states the 4 C’s of the diamond: carat, cut, colour and clarity. For example the diamond on my Pandora Brilliance Open Bangle is certified as 0.25 carat with an excellent cut. It’s colour is ‘near colourless’ (G, H, I, J) with a ‘very slightly included’ (VS1, VS2) clarity.

Diamonds are forever and jewellery from the Pandora Brilliance Collection is entitled to complimentary lifetime cleaning at any Pandora store. Use elements from the Pandora Care Kit to clean and polish the Pandora Brilliance jewellery. However the Pandora cleaning brush should not be used on Pandora Brilliance 14k White Gold pieces.

It took me a while to decide on the 14k Gold or 14k White Gold of the Pandora Brilliance Open Bangle. Although I love the look of white gold I was wary as it overtime it can dull as the rhodium coating fades. This has happened to my wedding ring which is made from white gold and previously I have had it recoated in rhodium to maintain its colour. Eventually this was the deciding factor and I choose the Pandora Brilliance 0.25 Carat 14k Gold Open Bangle (559473C01).

I was surprised to discover that the Pandora Brilliance Open Bangle has a hinged opening! It is not mentioned in the description on the Pandora UK eStore and isn’t very discernible in the photographs. The hinge is very discreet and makes it easy to wear the oval shaped bangle.

The hallmarks are hidden on the inside of the Pandora Brilliance Open Bangle. Both the mark for gold, ‘G585’ and the diamond ‘0.25 ct D’ are included. It is also stamped with the normal Pandora ‘ALE’ hallmark and the bracelet size number.

The Pandora Brilliance Open Bangle is available in three sizes: 16cm, 17.5cm and 19cm. I choose size 2 (17.5cm) as I wanted the bangle to move freely up and down my wrist.

Diamonds Are Forever

I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number you get in a diamond.

Mae West

I have never hated a man enough to give him his diamonds back.

Zsa Zsa Gabor

Her idea of a romantic setting is one that has a diamond in it.

Rita Rudner

This review is a little different to normal as besides stacking, there are not many options to style the Pandora Brilliance Open Bangle. For a subtle style I wear the stunning Pandora Brilliance 0.25 Carat 14k Gold Open Bangle (559473C01) alone. On special occasions I plan to pair it with the matching 14k Gold Pandora Brilliance 1.00 Carat Ring (159450C01) and Pandora Brilliance 1.00 Carat TW Sparkling Teardrop Stud Earrings. This sparkling trio has a chic contemporary design which will continue to look stunning in years to come.

Over the last few years my husband and I discussed purchasing a Cartier Love Bracelet to celebrate a milestone anniversary. To avoid disappointment or incorrect sizes, my husband likes to discuss and plan any big gifts. So when we visited Paris we strolled to the Cartier store for a little window shopping. A very kind staff member patiently explained the various Love Bracelet options and designs. I choose my favourite from among them and found out the best size for me. Rather than rush the decision my husband decided to keep the information in his head for a future date. Thankfully the Pandora Brilliance Collection was released before that date arrived. As instead of a single bracelet, my husband gifted me three gorgeous pieces of jewellery in 14k gold with incredible diamonds for half the price of a Love Bracelet.

Pandora Brilliance Collection is truly a stunning range of jewellery! The combination of its beautiful design and high quality materials is outstanding. Although the prices are high end for Pandora jewellery, the use of lab-created diamonds is cost effective compared to mined diamonds and the results are brilliant!

My verdict of the Pandora Brilliance 0.25 Carat 14k Gold Open Bangle?
My new best friend!

Dora

The Pandora Brilliance 0.25 Carat Open Bangle (559473C01) is exclusive to the UK and is available in a choice of 14k Gold or 14k White Gold for £1,090 from the Pandora UK eStore.