Today’s post finishes off my Pandora Summer 2015 reviews, with a closer look at the Tropicana openwork design! Available in both gold and silver, this is either one of the summer collection’s most expensive or affordable options, depending on which you go for. ;)
While it may be a more simple design, it is very pretty in person, and perfectly captures that tropical feeling that Pandora were looking to evoke with this collection. I got the silver charm during my recent week’s holiday to the south of France and, while there may not be palm trees in Provence, it does nicely conjure up for me the constant sunshine and beautiful colourful landscapes that we enjoyed there. ^^
The charm
This is a very simple design, with its abstract palm leaf motif, and I’ll admit that I didn’t pay it much attention when the first stock images came out. However this is one of those charms that you need to see in person to appreciate the beauty in its details. Moreover, it’s very affordable to compared to a lot of the collection and it offers a cheaper way to add that summery feel to your bracelet design!
In person, you appreciate the elegance of its detailing – the stock image doesn’t quite capture how very clean-cut and neat it is. Other Pandora travel charms often have bright enamel detailing, or more explicit holiday motifs – dolphins, suitcases, boats, etc – but the Tropicana could easily function as a more subtle reminder of your holiday. Its pretty simplicity and abstract design complement a great variety of other colours and colour schemes.
The gold version is more stunning yet, as the warmer tone does evoke that idea of beautiful beaches even more. It’s way out of my price league, but I did allow myself an admiring look in the store. ;)
Styling
My first design for the Tropicana bead features the gorgeous Shoreline sea glass muranos – I recently bought a second one to go with my existing bead, and it’s funny how different they are. I bought my first Shoreline murano in Antigua back in 2013; it is very pale, and nicely chunky in size. My second murano, which I just bought from a UK store, is much darker and warmer in colour. Moreover, it’s also significantly thinner – this seems to be a trend with the faceted muranos of late, and I’m not sure that I approve. ;)
Gripes aside, I am a little in love with the combination of the Shoreline sea glass, the Orchid and white murano glass! I’ve gone for a travel theme for this design, including some simple Pandora silvers such as the Camera, the Lucky Penny and the airline-exclusive I Love To Travel suitcase. The Tropicana, with its pretty palm leaves, fits in perfectly!
For a more beachy theme, however, I went with a tropical teal colour scheme. A little bit of two-tone adds to the warmth of the design and really helps to conjure up that idea of golden sunshine and warm beaches.
Finally, this is how I will be wearing my Tropicana bead! It was the perfect piece to complement the Sparkling Pineapple and the green Petite Facets charms I already had on my leather; adding the pretty teal enamel butterflies charm finished off the design, and I’m rather pleased with it!
Conclusion
While the Tropicana may not be the most exciting offering from Summer 2015, there is a beauty in its simplicity, and it’s the perfect filler charm if you’re looking for an inexpensive way to de-clutter a bracelet design or to space out some of your other pieces. It’s a refreshingly affordable option, too.
The Pandora Tropicana charm is $35 or £25. If you’re in the UK, you can purchase it alongside the rest of the Pandora Summer collection from authorised retailer John Greed.
Did you get this charm, or is it on your wish list? What have been your favourite summer pieces?
It looks lovely with your other charms on your bracelets. I think I like it best with the orchid charm, they go well together.
My favourite piece and the only one I have bought from the summer collection is the orchid charm, which I have put on it’s own on my bangle and love it.
Sarah, same here. I love the colour of the petals, also the purple cz in the middle. How lovely. ^^
The Orchid is far and away my favourite Summer 2015 charm, too. It’s beautiful! <3
Thanks Sarah! <3 I agree – the Orchid is an absolutely stunning piece. It has a rather nice way of making almost everything you put with it look just as pretty, too. I can imagine how beautiful it looks on your bangle – it's more than striking enough to be worn on its own! ^^
I need to take a closer look at this charm. I thought it was ordinary in the shops, but you have showcased it beautifully! Ditto on the muranos and glass charms. I always prefer the chunkier muranos. Thin ones just don’t showcase the colours properly.
Thank you! I’m so pleased to hear that! I think it’s one of those pieces that has the potential to be just lovely, depending on what you put it with. :) I much prefer the chunkier muranos too! It’s also a little irritating that they seem to be making the muranos smaller on purpose, while charging the same amount for them… they look a bit out of proportion when they’re so thin! And you’re right, you don’t get as much of a sense of the colours either.
I saw it in the Pandora store yesterday while I was shopping with my boyfriend. And both of us were not really too impressed with the charm. So it’s on more of a “maybe” list for me!
I seem to have had the opposite reaction to you – I wasn’t too impressed from the stock image, but liked it much more when I saw it in store, haha! I think its prettiness is greatly enhanced depending on what you pair it with. :)
:-) Pretty, very pretty, these Pandora charms. :-)
Yes they are! ^^
Hi Ellie!
I wasn’t so impressed by Tropicana at first, but (yes, you did it again!) I have second thoughts after this post! :-)
I totally loved your styling, especially the one with the Orchid, which is by far my favourite summer piece! Your travel themed bracelet has a girly excitement that makes it so pretty! :-) Are those two sea glass muranos supposed to be the same? Strange how different they look, but the same time this non-identical look makes them sharing the “glory” for this bracelet’s exquisite appearance!
I also adored your preferred styling with the green facet and the pineapple! Those gorgeous enamel butterflies are …extinguished species? :-) I’ve never seen this charm before; is it hard to find?
Thank you so much for this post! I’ ve really enjoyed it! ♥♥♥
Hi Chrysa!
Thank you, I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed this one too! <3 The Orchid is my favourite, too. It looks beautiful with just about anything! Yes, amazingly the two Sea Glass charms I have are meant to be the same charm – it's called 'Shoreline'. It's amazing how much each murano glass charm can vary! It’s definitely worth hand-picking the muranos with more intricate designs for that reason.
And haha, yes, the enamel butterflies charm is now retired. It came in red and blue enamel. I'm not sure how hard they are to get hold of, as they only retired in the last year or two – there might still be a few hanging around. :) They are beautiful charms, although I have never seen that many other people with them – the deep teal of the blue version is particularly lovely. It was my second ever charm! ^^
http://static.pandora.net/consumer/jewellery/01/400×400/790438EN08.jpg
http://static.pandora.net/consumer/jewellery/01/400×400/790438EN07.jpg
Thanks for commenting Chrysa! I appreciate it! ♥♥♥
Thank you so much for these pictures Ellie! It’s so kind of you! Both versions are just wonderful! I’m surprised I haven’t come across this charm before! I’ll keep my eyes open for it! :-) The red one would make a great combination with the orchid, and the blue one could add some colour to the Cinderella bracelet (she had butterflies on her dress and shoes in the last movie…). Apart from that, if I’m not mistaken, both colours are represented by two petit facets in the winter collection, hmmm…! Any idea of their price before retirement?
Thank you! ♥♥♥
You’re welcome! :) I hope that you find one! And yes, that is a great idea to use it for Cinderella – I don’t know why I didn’t include it in my styling for the review! It would be perfect, especially with the blue butterfly murano, too. <3
I remember that they were £40 in the UK before they retired, so quite pricey. Looking online, it looks like they were 39 euros. :)
Hope that helps! <3
I really like the openworks charms. They are pretty and very reasonably priced. I have several. I like your styling very much but I. Don’t plan to buy this charm.
Yes, I’m a fan too – they make rather a nice change from all the expensive enamel and pavé pieces, even if they’re perhaps not quite as eye-catching. ^^ Thanks Lozzie! <3
Hi Ellie love your post the tropicano charm is one of my favourites from the collection. Although I haven’t purchased it yet it’s on my long list. I love your muranos they look so different. I kind of like it how the murano look so different they remind me that they are handmade and unique. It must be difficult to try and match them though, I don’t really have that problem as I can’t bring my self to by the same charm. I love symmetry though and try and get similar charms.
Hi Nicola! Thanks, it definitely deserves a little spot on your wish list ^^
I love how different the muranos are, too, although it does make ordering online too. The only reason I got two of this particular charm is because they look so different it’s like having a different charm haha! The only thing I don’t like is that the new faceted muranos are so much thinner :( It seems like you’re getting less for the price!
Hi Ellie love your blog I love the tropicano charm it’s one of my favourites from the collection, although I haven’t purchased it yet. I love your muranos,they look so different I do like the different between the murano they reminded me that they are hand made and unique. It must be difficult matching them though. I don’t really have that problem as I can’t bring myself to buy the same charm twice. I do love symmetry though so I try to buy similar charms.