Kendra Scott and Pandora are two of the most popular jewelry brands for women today. Known for their customizable charm bracelets and other fine jewelry, these brands have developed cult followings over the years.
But which one is better?
Here’s an in-depth comparison of Kendra Scott vs Pandora jewelry to help you decide.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Category | Kendra Scott | Pandora |
| Type of jewelry | Fine fashion jewelry | Fashion jewelry |
| Known for | Customizable jewelry beyond just charm bracelets | Customizable charm bracelets |
| Materials | 14k gold, sterling silver, real gemstones | Sterling silver, 10k & 14k gold, enamel, cubic zirconia |
| Price range | $50 – $800 | $25 – $400 |
| Brand vibe | Feminine, delicate, bold | Classic, minimalist, whimsical |
| Iconic styles | Statement earrings, charm bracelets | Charm bracelets |
| Quality | Higher quality materials overall | Affordable, casual everyday pieces |
| Brand mission | Philanthropy for women’s & children’s causes | Celebrating life’s moments |
| Resale value | Lower than Pandora | Holds value well for a fashion brand |
| Shopping experience | Boutique, personalized | More hectic, hands-on customization |
| Discounts | Rare sitewide sales | Regular promotions and sales |
Overview of Kendra Scott
Founded in 2002 by Kendra Scott herself, this Austin-based brand specializes in fine jewelry with a focus on customization.
Scott wanted to create beautiful yet affordable jewelry that women could customize to suit their personal styles.
Some key facts about Kendra Scott:
- Most popular for charm bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and rings
- Jewelry made from 14k gold, sterling silver, and natural gemstones
- Price range from $50 – $800
- Over 100 retail stores across the US
- Philanthropic mission supports women’s and children’s causes
Overview of Pandora
Founded in 1982 in Denmark, Pandora is now a global jewelry brand known for their charm bracelets. The concept of customizable charm bracelets and clips was an original creation by Pandora.
Some key facts about Pandora:
- Most popular for their charm bracelets and charms
- Jewelry made from sterling silver and 14k gold
- Price range from $25 – $400
- Over 10,000 retail stores worldwide
- Sold in over 100 countries
Now let’s compare the pros and cons of each brand.
Pros of Kendra Scott
- Greater customization options. Kendra Scott has more customizable jewelry options beyond just charm bracelets. You can customize necklaces, earrings, rings, and other styles.
- More delicate and feminine designs. Kendra Scott features more dainty and ornate designs with colorful stones. The overall look leans feminine and romantic.
- Philanthropic mission. Kendra Scott’s brand has a strong philanthropic identity and donates back to causes supporting women and children. This resonates with many customers today.
- Higher quality materials. Their jewelry uses solid 14k gold and quality gemstones like mother of pearl and genuine stones. This gives it a more high-end feel.
Kendra Scott Cons
- Smaller selection of stores. With just over 100 locations, Kendra Scott has a smaller retail presence compared to the global Pandora. This makes it less convenient to shop in-store.
- Fewer brand collaborations. Pandora has partnered with big brands like Disney, Harry Potter, and Star Wars for themed charms. Kendra Scott has fewer high-profile brand collaborations.
- Less international presence. Pandora has much wider global presence and brand awareness abroad. Kendra Scott is primarily focused in the US market.
- Less resale value. Pandora charms and bracelets typically hold their resale value better if kept in good condition. Kendra Scott pieces may be harder to resell later.
Pandora Pros
- Iconic charm bracelets. Pandora is virtually synonymous with charm bracelets. They offer the biggest selection of customizable bracelets, charms, clips, and accessories.
- More affordable pricing. Price points for Pandora bracelets, charms, and jewelry are overall lower than Kendra Scott. Great for shoppers on a budget.
- Global brand recognition. Pandora is one of the most widely recognized jewelry brands. You can shop Pandora almost anywhere in the world.
- Better resale value. If kept in excellent condition, Pandora charm bracelets and charms hold their resale value well. This adds long-term value.
Pandora Cons
- More basic designs. Pandora’s designs tend to be more plain and classic. They lack some of the ornate details and colorful stones of Kendra Scott.
- Lower quality materials. Pandora uses primarily sterling silver. For gold jewelry, the karats are lower (10k vs 14k). The gemstones tend to be more basic as well.
- Lacks philanthropic identity. Pandora doesn’t have any major philanthropic messaging or initiatives. For socially-conscious shoppers, this may be a drawback.
- Oversaturation. The popularity of Pandora has led to a saturated market. It’s less unique when everyone has the same bracelet.
Also Read: Comparison Between Preciosa and Swarovski
Detail Comparison of Kendra Scott And Pandora
- Prices
| Product | Kendra Scott Price | Pandora Price |
| Gemstone bracelet | $50 – $180 | $100 – $425 |
| Gold bracelet | $150 – $500 | $150 – $1,200 |
| Single charm | $30 – $80 | $15 – $90 |
| Necklace | $50 – $250 | $45 – $170 |
| Earrings | $50 – $180 | $25 – $125 |
As shown above, Pandora has wider price ranges but tends to be more affordable overall for charm bracelets and charms. Kendra Scott has higher starting prices but offers more precious metals and real gemstones.
- Brand Reputations
Both brands score highly for customer satisfaction and brand reputation. In general:
- Pandora is beloved for its iconic charm bracelets and whimsical charms
- Kendra Scott is known for quality materials and customization
The brands evoke slightly different feelings:
- Kendra Scott: feminine, delicate, philanthropic
- Pandora: classic, nostalgic, global
There isn’t a clear winner when it comes to brand reputation and customer loyalty. Both companies enjoy enthusiastic fan bases.
- Style and Design
Both brands allow you to customize your jewelry to match your personal style. Some style differences:
Pandora
- Classic, minimalist, timeless
- More subtle designs
- Pop culture and branded charms
- Iconic style: charm bracelet
Kendra Scott
- Bolder, colorful statement pieces
- More ornate and complex details
- Natural gemstone accents
- Iconic style: statement earrings
Pandora leans traditional and classic while Kendra Scott is more bold and trend-driven. There are more whimsical and pop culture charm options with Pandora while Kendra Scott uses more genuine stones.
Also Read: Comparison Between Jeulia And Modern Gents Jewelry Brands.
- Quality and Materials
Kendra Scott uses higher quality materials overall. Their pieces are made from:
- 14k gold
- Sterling silver
- Natural gemstones like mother of pearl, turquoise, abalone, etc.
Pandora primarily uses:
- Sterling silver
- Enamel
- Cubic zirconia
- Murano glass
- 10k and 14k gold
For gold jewelry, Pandora mainly uses 10k while Kendra Scott uses 14k which has higher purity. Both use sterling silver but Kendra Scott incorporate more genuine gemstones.
- Brand Mission
Both brands aim to empower women to customize jewelry that expresses their personal style and individuality. Beyond this, the brand missions differ:
Kendra Scott
Kendra Scott has a strong philanthropic focus on supporting women’s and children’s causes. Proceeds go to support programs for cancer research and patient care. The company fosters female entrepreneurship.
Pandora
Pandora’s core mission is about celebrating moments that matter. They want to create a personal universe for every customer. The brand has a strong focus on responsible sourcing and production.
Kendra Scott has a more charitable mission while Pandora’s focus is responsible manufacturing and creating a connection through moments.
- Sizing, Cleaning, and Care
With both brands, you want to avoid exposing jewelry to chemicals, perfume, and lotions which can cause damage over time. Carefully follow each brand’s cleaning suggestions.
For sizing, Pandora bracelets feature a threaded system for adjusting length. Kendra Scott bracelets will need conventional resizing by a jeweler.
Rings from both brands can be resized but due to the intricate nature of some designs, alterations are not always possible. Check first before assuming your ring can be resized.
- Promotions and Sales
Pandora runs more frequent promotional deals like 20% off entire purchases or percentage discounts on specific lines.
Kendra Scott rarely offers sitewide sales. You may find select jewelry on sale plus discounted gift sets during the holidays. Email signup gets early access to these deals.
For the best deals on both brands, shop their outlet online stores for clearance items at up to 75% off. Pandora tends to offer slightly better discounts overall.
Also Read: Comparison Between Kay Jewelers Vs. Reeds Jewelers.
Which Brand Has Better Resale Value?
If reselling your jewelry later is important, Pandora holds its value better. Pandora charms and bracelets in good condition keep 25-65% of their initial retail price.
Kendra Scott jewelry typically has lower resale value. As an affordable fashion jewelry brand, pieces depreciate more over time compared to investment jewelry.
Pandora is likely the better choice if resale value is your priority. But both brands ultimately produce affordable fashion jewelry not meant to become heirlooms.
Which Offers the Better Shopping Experience?
Kendra Scott
Kendra Scott boutiques aim to provide an upscale yet inviting atmosphere. Store associates are very knowledgeable. Trying on pieces is encouraged. Great for a personalized experience.
Online shopping with Kendra Scott is easy and they have an excellent return policy. Standard shipping is free.
Pandora
At Pandora stores, you can work one-on-one with jewelry specialists to curate your own bracelets. The atmosphere is more hectic than Kendra Scott but they enable hands-on customization.
The Pandora website makes shopping online seamless. They have free shipping and free returns which makes buying online risk-free.
Overall, in-store experiences are better with Kendra Scott while Pandora excels at e-commerce. Both offer hassle-free online shopping. Watch the nice review video!
Which Offers Better Value For Money?
For the lower prices, Pandora provides great value for money, especially for charm bracelet beginners. Kendra Scott offers greater value if you prefer real precious metals and stones and want to customize beyond just a charm bracelet.
Consider your budget and priorities. Pandora wins for affordability while Kendra Scott justifies its higher prices with quality materials and craftsmanship.
Should You Choose Kendra Scott or Pandora?
Now for the big question – which brand is right for you? Here are some final recommendations:
Choose Pandora if you want:
- A charm bracelet
- Disney, Harry Potter, or branded charms
- Low prices and regular sales
- Basic designs
- High resale value
Choose Kendra Scott if you want:
- Greater personalization options
- Real 14k gold and gemstones
- Upscale boutique experience
- Philanthropic brand mission
- Bold, ornate designs
Also Read: Differences Between Kate Spade And Kendra Scott Jewelry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Kendra Scott’s biggest competitor is Pandora. Both specialize in customizable charm jewelry and have cultivated loyal followings. Other competitors include Alex and Ani, Links of London, and Swarovski.
Pandora is generally not considered true fine luxury jewelry. It is more accurately categorized as affordable fashion jewelry. The materials used are mainly sterling silver, enamel, and cubic zirconia which are not precious. However, some Pandora pieces do incorporate 14k gold, diamonds, and other precious gems. Overall though, Pandora is not at the same prestige level as true luxury brands like Tiffany, Cartier, Bulgari.
Kendra Scott remains one of the most popular affordable jewelry brands, especially among millennials and Gen Z. The brand has managed to maintain relevance due to its focus on customization and using social media and influencers to promote its jewelry. Kendra Scott has also maintained popularity through new product launches and collaborations to stay on top of trends.
Kendra Scott jewelry is made from real precious metals and genuine gemstones, not imitation materials. Their jewelry uses solid 14k gold rather than gold plating over base metals. The gemstones used include mother of pearl, abalone, turquoise, quartz, and other natural stones, not synthetic stones. So in that sense, Kendra Scott jewelry is considered “real”.
Also Read: Comparison Between AB Crystals and Swarovski
Final Thoughts
Both Kendra Scott and Pandora allow you to showcase your personal style through jewelry. Pandora has more mass appeal while Kendra Scott feels more high-end.
Ultimately, it comes down to your priorities. For charm bracelet lovers on a budget, Pandora is the way to go. But if you like Statement jewelry with real precious metals and stones, Kendra Scott is worth the investment.
Whichever you choose, you can’t go wrong with these beautiful and customizable jewelry brands.