Only the highest quality metals make their way into Pandora jewellery.

There would be no Pandora jewellery without metals. Metals are durable, can be melted and shaped, and are beautiful. Around seven-thousand years ago, the first signs of copper jewellery were seen. And while copper is an elegant material, modern jewellery uses silver and gold for the finishing touch.

The custom of adorning the body with jewellery is an ancient one. Early jewellery featured simple shapes made from shell, bone and stone and were worn as protective talismans. The discovery of metals and how to work with them revolutionised the art of jewellery and over time, goldsmiths and craftspeople unlocked the unique potential of different metals. In the same way that stones each have their own associations and signature look, metals are unique in their characteristics and composition. Categorised in two groups – precious metals and non-precious metals – they are also extremely versatile, equally suited to tonal or mixed metal looks. Precious metals are highly valued in jewellery making and include gold and silver, which are used extensively in Pandora jewellery to create precious and personal expressions of style. Different metals flatter different skin tones: the radiance of gold lends a warm sheen to looks; sophisticated silver has a cool gleam and rose-hued metals emit a soft pink glow.

Precious Metals are rare, naturally occurring materials of high economic value. In their pure state, they include silver, gold, palladium and platinum, known for their use in jewellery making. Precious metals are often soft in their natural state and are therefore often alloyed with harder metals, such as copper, in order to improve durability and make them suitable for daily wear as jewellery.

Also known as base metals, non-precious metals are widely available and include stainless steel, copper, brass and bronze. Non-precious metals tend to oxidise, tarnish or corrode easily when they are exposed to air or moisture. However, they do have an advantage over precious metals: they are often significantly harder – and, because they are less rare, they are also more affordable, so they can be alloyed with precious metals such as gold to make the resulting blend more durable and affordable.