I am constantly amazed at how technology has changed the way we do almost everything. We have reached the stage where we can pre-plan our shopping trips using software applications to sample the choices and test-drive the merchandise, so to speak. Jewellery retailer Pandora has turned shopping into a virtual adventure with the use of its Bracelet Designer, an onboard app that lets customers design their own charm bracelet.
Working with the Bracelet Designer
Pandora’s Bracelet Designer can be accessed from a tab on its homepage. Intended as a tool for customers to try out various combinations of charms, I found this tool easy to use. The app is intuitive with no complicated set up or instructions to read. The only choice provided for the starter bracelet is the Essence Silver Bracelet with a bead clasp, which makes this part easy. I selected that by clicking the Add button. The price of each piece is given on the same view, a helpful feature to keep track of the costs of my charm bracelet.
Selecting the charms is the harder part, and it isn’t because the Bracelet Designer app makes users jump through technical hoops. It’s because there are so many charms to choose from with each one more tempting than the next. Click on the Add button to add charms to the bracelet or Remove to take off unwanted charms. A really nifty trick is to use the cursor to rearrange the charms on my bracelet.
Charm Selection
Thumbnails of the charms are arranged by theme. The first page presents character and virtue choices with the charms engraved with words such as dedication, dignity and spirituality. The next is a selection of charms representing astrological signs, and the third set consists of inspirational charms with words like faith, hope and happiness. A fourth set expands on the character and virtue selection presented in the first set with choices such as balance, prosperity and courage.
The charms are made of gold, silver or white gold with each one featuring intricate details along the sphere. The designs on the all-metal charms are particularly detailed. Other charms add colour by incorporating materials such as carnelian, synthetic ruby and lapis lazuli.
It was really hard to narrow down my favourites to a few. Clicking on the charms brought up a larger view with interesting details in full focus while clicking on the Info link brought up a description of material, colour and price.
The Bracelet on my Wish List
Using Pandora's Bracelet Designer was an interesting way to explore different ways to build a charm bracelet without spending a mint and with the option to change my mind as often as I want. I loved all the coloured charms, and I would choose all of them regardless of what they represented.
I don't think I would be able to stop at just one charm bracelet, so I'm off to post my wish list on my social media accounts to make friends and family aware of what I want this Christmas and many Christmases hence.
