If Pagoda sells real gold- in short, the answer would be yes, it does. But saying this wouldn’t completely answer a customer’s curiosity. We would need to look at a different paradigm to be able to fully understand this disputed topic.
About Piercing Pagoda
Now known as Banter by Piercing Pagoda, the popular American jewelry brand, has been in business for more than 60 years under its parent – Signet Jewelers. It has an extensive catalogue including earrings, chains, rings, bracelets, charms, anklets and body jewelry made from ethical sources. Not only do they have stores strategically located throughout the country, they also have a huge online presence to reach more customers. With an Instagram of 47K followers, the brand has made itself quite popular among youngsters.
Piercing Pagoda Jewelry Styles
At Piercing Pagoda, they try to stay on top with the latest trends, while focusing on body creativity. People nowadays feel more comfortable in flaunting their opinions through art. This is where Pagoda jewelry catches mass attention, by supplying inclusive and trendy jewelry to celebrate “individuality”.
The company deals in white and yellow gold, titanium, sterling silver, and other naturally and synthetically made stones and gems. Their jewelry consists of varieties of anklets, chains, rings, earrings, charms and more.
Gold Jewelry by Banter
Piercing Pagoda only deals in 10K and 14K gold and has an immense range of gold jewelry. They have gold-bonded, gold-plated, gold-filled, hollow gold etc. All of these are quite common at all their stores.
What do these terms mean?
Gold-bonded – gold and sterling silver are fused together in different ratios.
Gold-plated – a different metal is covered in gold.
Gold-filled – gold fused with sterling silver by a different process and the weight of gold is heavier than gold-plated.
Hollow Gold – A thin layer of gold which is hollow inside
14K and 10K Gold
The value of gold is judged by its level of purity. This is where the role of the “K” in 14K and 10K comes in, aka Karat. The purest level of gold has been ascertained at 24K, which has 24 parts of pure fold. People mostly prefer 22K for jewelry, which has marginally less purity, but more durability. Think of it this way, the lesser the purity, the more durability there is.
In 14K, there is 14 parts pure gold and 10 parts other metals to make the alloy. In 10K gold, there are 10 parts pure gold and 14 parts other metals. So 10K gold values lesser than 14K, but has more durability.
At Piercing Pagoda, the company only deals in 14K and 10K, to make its products more affordable in the market. Their jewelry is made out of different materials, like white gold or yellow gold, mixed with sterling silver, or other materials in two or three tones (colours), along with gemstones and diamonds.
They have a wider variety of 10K than 14K, as has a bigger market owing to the difference in price. Even though the purity of 10K is lesser than 14K, there is a bigger market for it as it is much more durable and affordable. Since there are more metals in 10K, it makes it much stronger in comparison to its purer counterparts, as gold is a very brittle (easily breakable) metal. Similarly, they have more options in yellow gold than white gold, to keep the affordability factor high.
Quality of Products
The quality of the jewelry has been in the limelight quite often, as there have been some customer concerns. Piercing Pagoda provides the “pgda” stamp on all their jewelry for quality purposes.
Their jewelry is finely made using ethically sourced and mined materials, which have a very good quality.
Piercing Pagoda has been in controversy in the market for its pricing and product quality. While there is a huge demand for their products, some people have often voiced their concerns regarding the “fake” and “low quality” materials being used here, which also becomes a price issue for some.
Most of its products receive ratings ranging between 5 and 3 out of 5, while some of them have received 1 and 2 also. Customers have called Banter out on it using fake gold for its products and overpricing them, but many of them have also said that they have very good quality products.
This controversy originated with Banter’s customers assuming that they were buying pure gold at cheaper prices. In a different paradigm, Piercing Pagoda has always dealt in 10K and 14K gold, which is not fake gold, but lower quality of gold. Their motto has always been to celebrate self-expression with affordable products.
But all in all, the majority love the product range and quality at Banter.
Banter by Piercing Pagoda has been quite well received overall, with stores in almost every state and a huge online market at their website banter.com. People have expressed their love for this brand for its trendy and inclusive jewelry.
With such a wide selection of products, they are able to cater to a much larger audience. They use “real” gold, which has lesser purity to make its products more affordable.
