Pandora bracelets and charms had a chokehold on middle-aged women in the late-2000s and early 2010s. I remember several of my high school teachers and substitutes sporting the latest charms after the winter holidays. Cut to over a decade later, and rare Pandora charms regularly fetch $500-$1,000 at auction.
Jumped on the Pandora train while it was hot? Sift through your collection for these valuable charms.
6 Rare Pandora Charms That Push Four-Figure Values
Pandora may have broken onto the scene in 1982, but they really hit their stride in the late-2000s. Best known for their customizable charm bracelets, the jewelry brand is full of childhood charm and mature elegance.
From diamonds to pure gold, these rare Pandora charms are the ones you hope to find on your aunt's old charm bracelet.
| Rare Pandora Charms | Recent Sales Prices |
|---|---|
| Diamond-Studded Dice Charm in 14K Gold | $814.40 |
| Royal Majestic Crown Charm in 14K Gold | $806.15 |
| Ingot Charm in 14K Gold | $619.99 |
| Sapphire-Studded Bonsai Charm in 14K Gold | $599 |
| Diamond-Studded Star Charm in 14K Gold | $500 |
| Murano Glass Florida Charm | ~$500 |
Diamond-Studded Dice Charm in 14K Gold: $814.40
If you're in a gambling mood, might we suggest the diamond-studded dice charm from Pandora? This six-sided die might not be loaded, but it'll win at auction every time. While you can still get gold-plated dice charms for $85 a pop, you can't find the Las Vegas exclusives as easily.
Hence why one came up for sale on eBay and sold for $814.40 online.
The Pandora maker's mark (ALE) should appear stamped into all of their charms, save the smallest pieces.
Royal Majestic Crown Charm in 14K Gold: $806.15
The Royal Majestic Crown charm resembles an adorably shrunken St. Edward's Crown. An Early Modern design, this iconic crown charm is immediately recognizable. While you can still get a version of the Royal Majestic Crown charm on the Pandora website, this 14K gold and diamond-studded charm is much harder to find.
One of these charms recently came to auction with the original box and sold for just over $800.
Ingot Charm in 14K Gold: $619.99
Pandora's Ingot charm is an Asian-exclusive charm designed in the shape of Ancient Chinese "ingots" or molded blocks of precious metal that were used as currency. Not only are these Ingot charms worth their weight in gold, but they're also quite rare because of the limited number of stores they're sold in.
Ingot charms regularly sell for $500+, like this pristine one that recently sold for $619.99 on eBay.
Related: Collectible 80s Jewelry That Would Make Alexis Carrington Jealous
Sapphire-Studded Bonsai Charm in 14K Gold: $599
If all you want is a little color, Pandora's spacer charms have you covered. These flat, circular charms come in all sorts of materials and designs. The more valuable the materials, the more expensive the charm will be.
For example, a sapphire-studded spacer charm made out of 14K gold has both the gold weight and sapphire carats going for it. One collector nabbed it at auction for nearly $600 online.
Diamond-Studded Star Charm in 14K Gold: $500
Diamond and gold editions of classic charm shapes always have collector appeal. Take this diamond-studded 14K gold star, for instance. This dangling charm isn't eye-catching in design, but it's valuable thanks to the expensive materials used to make it. Naturally, it went for $500 on eBay.
Murano Glass Florida Charm: ~$499.99
Precious metals and gemstones aren't the only types of rare Pandora charms. Murano glass spacer charms are also quite covetable. Murano glass is an extremely high-quality art glass that brings in top dollar on its own. Couple that with an exclusive market (such as only selling in a single state), and you've got a valuable and rare Pandora charm on your hands.
This Murano glass Florida charm sold exclusively in Florida stores fits the bill and sold for around $499.99.
What Makes Pandora Charms Rare & Expensive?
New Pandora charms can go for anywhere between $25-$100, but the real value is in those rare charms. But what makes one charm rarer than another? Well, there are a few standard characteristics by which you can measure your charm's rarity and value.
- The charm is made of expensive materials. Check your charms for Pandora's quality marks, like 925 (92.5% silver), G585 (14K gold), or G750 (18K gold), to see their metal value. Gemologists can also verify precious gemstones.
- The charm comes from an exclusive market. Charms that are only sold in a few locations are naturally rarer than those mass-marketed for every location.
- The charms are retired. Pandora doesn't make retired charms anymore, and that finite amount makes them particularly rare.
Rare Pandora Charms Are the Definition of Quiet Luxury
Pandora charms and jewelry are just as deceptively expensive as Swarovski products. For not being a traditional luxury jewelry maker, they sure can rack up quite a profit. Just make sure you check these niche collectibles before you snub your nose at them. You never know which one could make you $500 richer.
