Our reviewers evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

Pandora vs Claire's

Tuesday, March 19th

2024 Charm Bracelet Store Reviews

Pandora Review 4 Star Rating

Pandora

4 Star Rating
  • Over 160 bracelets and 700 charms to choose from
  • Free shipping on orders of $75+
  • Free and easy returns within 30 days
  • Handy SmartGift feature
  • Gift packaging for just $1

The Pandora name is synonymous with "charm bracelets" , and for good reason: with more than 160 high-quality bracelets and hundreds of charms to choose from (and counting), sold in thousands of locations worldwide, this brand can be seen just about everywhere. While you may spend more than with a rival retailer, the Pandora site has lots of features that make the shopping experience a dream - like a tool that lets you build a bracelet charm by charm and preview it on a model or on your own wrist. Pandora is well-known for a reason, and we think most shoppers will do well buying their charm bracelets here.

Claire's Review 2.5 Star Rating

Claire's

2.5 Star Rating
  • Just five charm bracelets to choose from
  • No individual charms
  • Free shipping on orders of $30+
  • 60-day returns

Everyone knows Claire's sells cute fashion jewelry for kids and teens: you've probably spotted their retail locations in a mall near you. This isn't an awesome place to shop for charm bracelets, though: their selection has declined from 50+ to just 5 options since our last review, and not all of those were in-stock during our most recent visit to Claire's online store. It's not a bad place to buy fun costume pieces, but with such a limited offering of charm bracelets, they won't be able to meet most people's expectations.

The 8 Best Charm Bracelet Stores

Where Can You Get the Best Charm Bracelets?

There's no better way to commemorate an important achievement like a college graduation, celebrate a special occasion, or keep reminders of treasured memories close at hand. From cute costume jewelry with dangly trinkets to elegant adornments in 14k gold, there's a charm bracelet to suit every style and budget.

When designing this one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry, your first consideration should probably be the bracelet style. Bangles are solid, sometimes with an opening on the side, and the corresponding charms have a hole in the middle that you slide on and off by unscrewing the fixed charm in the middle or on one of the ends.

The Best Charm Bracelet Stores Compare Charm Bracelet Stores Compare Charm Bracelet Store Reviews What are the best Charm Bracelet Stores Best Charm Bracelet Store Reviews

Charm Bracelet Store FAQ

A charm bracelet is a type of jewelry worn on the wrist that features little trinkets, for lack of a better word, to make it unique. These charms can be dangly and attached by jump links, or they can be shaped like a bead and strung on the bracelet itself. Charm bracelets have been around for thousands of years!
Most charm bracelets are made of gold or sterling silver. You can also find designs made of plastic (not very durable, of course), leather, stainless steel, brass, bronze and pewter. The charms themselves can also be made of those materials, and many of them include gemstones (real or imitation).
As much or as little as you like! You can easily get costume jewelry bracelets for under $15, or you can pay $2,000+ for a 14k gold charm bracelet (and that's just the price of the bracelet itself, without charms yet!). If you're adding to your bracelet over time, that's a great way to make it more affordable instead of buying all of your charms at once.
You've zeroed in on the main reason charm bracelets are still so popular! You can buy a bracelet and charms to represent a meaningful experience: maybe a bangle with charms for each year of someone's life, like a school bus for when they started school and a pair of ballet shoes for the year they began dance lessons. Another popular theme is travel: charms of a mini Eiffel Tower, a passport, and an airplane could show off a past trip (or be a cute way to reveal an upcoming surprise vacation!).
Most retailers have sizing guides to help you determine your wrist size and the recommended bracelet size. Keep in mind that a closed bangle will go on differently than an open bangle, for example, or that you may prefer that a snake chain fit closely or loosely. Also bear in mind that some chain charm bracelets may expand a little over the first year, depending on how often it's worn and how many charms are added.
That depends on the style. Some leather styles may only hold a total of 7 charms, while chain bracelets can usually hold anywhere from 10-20. Read the details on any bracelet you're considering to ensure it can accommodate the number of charms you're imagining.
You won't find a better selection anywhere else! There are a few brick-and-mortar jewelry stores that offer charm bracelets, but your options there will probably be limited at best. Shopping online for a charm bracelet lets you get exactly what you want - you may even buy your bracelet from one retailer and your charms from another. Why not!
Most people prefer to wear their charm bracelets on their non-dominant hand. Especially if you're using bulky and/or dangly charms, they can get in the way or feel irritating when you're writing or doing other things. But, if you wear a watch on your non-dominant wrist, you may not like the feel of the bracelet scraping against it. Go with whatever feels best!
Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

Snake chains are similar in the way the beads slide on, but the bracelet itself is more flexible. Or, if you prefer the kinds of charms that attach with a jump ring or a clasp, you'd choose a more traditional chain bracelet.

Once you've chosen the bracelet style, it's time to have some fun and create something new! What are you commemorating and who will be wearing this unique creation? It's hard to imagine a charm that isn't available somewhere: you won't just see classic graduation years, travel mementoes like miniature Eiffel Towers and palm trees, but also choices that might be considered somewhat... odd. How about a gold bandage or a beaver on skis? You do you!

Now that you have an idea of how your charm bracelet will look, where should you buy it? There are lots of online stores to choose from, so how can you tell where to start? Here are some factors that can help you narrow it down:

  • Selection. Obviously, you'll have an easier time finding what you want if you start with an online retailer that has a large range of options. Some stores have a lot of novelty items in their inventory but nothing on the classic, elegant side.
  • Easy-to-Use Website. An ample inventory isn't much use if you can't easily see what's in stock. How many hoops (*pun intended*) do you have to jump through to browse the charms and bracelets in the store? Is there enough information about each bracelet and charm? We prefer retailers who give actual dimensions, so that shoppers aren't disappointed when they see the charm's size in real life.
  • Gift-giving Options. If the charm bracelet will be a gift, look for a store with perks like free gift wrapping or the "Smart Gift" feature.
  • Return Policy. The best charm bracelet retailers let you send it back if it's not what you had in mind, usually within a 30- or 60-day timeframe. Some stores will even cover the return shipping fees.
  • Reputation. Does the store have good feedback from shoppers? Can it be trusted with your purchase?

To help you find the perfect bracelets and charms, TopConsumerReviews.com has evaluated and ranked today's most popular stores. We're sure this information will enable you to create an amazing themed charm bracelet - or add cute new charms to one you already have!

The Best Reviews of Charm Bracelet Stores