Loving Lampwork Beads

Posts Tagged ‘biagi bead’

What Are Pandora-Style Beads?

Pandora-style beads are fun to buy and fun to wear. Fun to wear because you can change out the beads to suit your whim. Fun to buy because they aren't all that expensive, so you can get a bunch!

Let's talk a little about what makes up a Pandora-style bead, lampwork-style.

What Are Pandora-Style Beads

Pandora-Style Beads (Click for larger image)

If you haven't quite heard the term before, you may be wondering what the heck these beads are. Or, you may have heard the term but aren't quite sure why they are called as such.

Here's the background: a company in Denmark came up with a bracelet that they termed Pandora. It's a metal bracelet with screws at one end, upon which beads can be slid. Unscrew the bracelet and slide on the beads. Once the beads are on, the end is screwed on tight and voila! Instant bracelet.

You can change out the beads at any time, simply by unscrewing the end, sliding off the beads, and putting on new ones. Cool, huh?

I've seen the bracelets as both a rigid frame as well as a snake chain.

Others have made bracelets of the same style in leather, too! So you have quite a few options and price points.

Pandora, Troll and Biagi - Oh My

Pandora Silver Bracelet (Click for larger image)

There are three different manufacturers creating similar bracelets. The bracelets are relatively the same in diameter, with Troll being the smallest by a hair. In general, beads that fit the Pandora or Biagi bracelets will also fit a Troll.

However, beads made specifically for a Troll bracelet may not fit Pandora or Biagi.

There's also a fourth new kid on the block -- Chamilla. These bracelets tend to have a more bangle-y stype. Any bead fitting a Pandora or Biagi will fit Chamilla (not sure about Troll-size).

What Makes the Beads Different?

Unique Pandora-Style Lampwork Beads

One thing that makes these beads different is the size of their hole. To be able to slide onto the bracelet, the bead hole needs to be pretty big. The standard hole size is between 4.4mm and 5mm.

In general you don't want the bead to be too large in overall size, because it subtracts from the interior diameter of the bracelet. In other words, it gives you less room for your wrist. 14mm to 16mm seems a decent diameter size for your average bead. And of course you can put in a few larger (or smaller) beads for accents!

Buying the Beads and Bracelet

Here's something interesting. If you buy the "official" lampwork beads on the "official" websites, or at a jewelry store, you're probably paying more than they are worth. Why?

On the official websites, the lampwork beads start at $25 and go up. And frankly, they are plain and boring. Or to put it another way...if I were making and selling the "official" beads, I'd probably charge in the neighborhood of $7. Less if they weren't silver-cored.

Now granted, I am biased towards artisan lampwork beads, but in all honesty, they are far more lovely. And you can very easily find "plain" beads to fit these bracelets for far less money. You can also purchase absolutely gorgeous, detailed, knock-your-socks-off lampwork beads for similar prices. And they are beads you won't see many (if any) others wearing.

If you'd like to see my beads in particular, please visit my lampwork store. You'll find plenty of Pandora style lampwork beads, along with other styles, too!

Immediately below are the Pandora-style beads that are artisan-made; one look and you'll see the difference. Below them are the Pandora and Pandora-style bracelets. As always, click the link for a larger image and more information.

(And in addition to what you see below, here's a link to .)