This had the potential to be a really pretty bracelet.  And while it is to an extent, there are a few flaws with it that kept me from enjoying it as much as I could have.  Still, for real freshwater pearls, the price is decent.

From a distance, this is a gorgeous bracelet.  It has the crystals mixed in with the freshwater pearls and is set off by the dark brown cording that holds it all together.  There is a one inch extender that has a small crystal dangling from the end of it.  But then we get to the close ups of the bracelet.  I'm still ok with the dark cording at close range, I like the contrast.  But I'm not as enthused with the crystals or pearls when you look up close.  I actually thought the pearls were plastic at first because of the rings around all of them (presumably from holding them to drill the holes).  And a couple of mine even had multiple holes through them, like they messed up the first time but decided to use the pearl anyway.  The crystals look like the cheap ones you can buy 100 for a dollar at the craft store for kids crafts, and they weren't very glittery.

This bracelet is designed to be pretty durable.  I've worn it nearly every day and have only managed to break the crystal dangling from the end of the extender off.  Which brings me to another point.  The extender is a little too short.  I can usually hold them with my fingers in order to put the bracelet on by myself, but this one is too short to do that.  I have to have help or put it on the largest setting and slip it over my hand, where it is just a little too loose to wear that way.  If you're more dextrous than me or have one of those handy "as seen on tv" bracelet helper thingees, you would probably be ok with this bracelet though.

Pretty, but I wish they had used a little better quality materials.  It would have made the bracelet stunning for any occasion.

Review by M. Reynard 2013