Thomas Sabo has been a major player in the modular jewelry market but their focus has always been on the traditional charm bracelet concept with large dangles. Honestly, I havent been interested in covering this brand because their styling didnt appeal to me and its very pricey compared to other similar products. However, Thomas Sabo has recently unveiled their much anticipated Karma Beads Collection and much to my delight, this new direction is right up my alley! This post will not be so much a brand introduction, as it is a preview of the Karma Beads specifically.
The Karma Beads Collection debuted at the beginning of the week, but stores have yet to receive their stock so these are not available for sale yet. The concept takes after the European style charm bracelets but with a contemporary twist. 72 beads are launched initially and these can be used on the bracelet (silver and oxidized), necklace, earrings, and ring. The materials used vary from natural stones, pearls, cubic zirconia, enamel, silver, rose and yellow gold plated finish. The charms range from $24.50USD to $124USD, depending on how complex the design is, this line irly comparable to the other brands that I buy.
Thomas Sabo is best known for their rock, glamorous, and punk aesthetic and this is carried over to the Karma Beads as the collection is divided into Glam and Rebel themes with a definite Asian flair. The Wheel of Karma design (pictured above in the necklace photos) is the trademark of this line which is incredibly distinctive. This is also one of the few charm companies to really offer rose gold pieces, which gives collectors another option on color. I particularly adore all the natural stones used especially the engraved ones, such as the Sunflower, Red Rose, and Shanghai, and of course the silver lattice filigree charms. For those desiring an edgier look, there are plenty to choose from as well.
Along with the Karma Beads, this collection introduces new bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and rings that are designed to accompany the concept. The charms are strung onto the chains with as many or as few can be used to create a unique combination, and the original pendants can also be added for extra drama. This collection also includes a number of stoppers and stoppered safety chains which provide additional security when taking the bracelets off as there is no threading to restrict the movement of these beads.
As a German based company, I have not really seen Thomas Sabo here in the US but this new release finally makes me energized towards this brand. Like many people, this collection brings immediately to mind the Pandora Essence line and the comparison is unavoidable; so itll be interesting to see how they match up, although Im really liking the assortment of styles, textures, and materials that Karma offers. I am very excited to see these beads in person and will hopefully have a few in hand shortly. Again as I mentioned, retailers havent received their stock of this collection yet but Joshua James Jewellery are expecting delivery on this product any day now and since there is no shipping restriction on Thomas Sabo, they can ship internationally as well. And just as an aside, Joshua James is giving away a 500 holiday gift voucher for Valentines Day! To enter, simply sign up for their newsletter and you must be a UK resident to win.
Whats your first impression of this new concept for Thomas Sabo? Is this a brand that youve been collecting? How do you think these compare to other similar products on the market?
Why the name Karma beads? These look a lot like Pandora Essence beads. All depends on the price. Pandora prices continue to inch up every new release. These new lines will give people hopefully better options.
Im not sure where they got the name from, but theres no qualities or anything that the beads represent so in that way its not like Essence.
Not actually seeing the bead IRL, but the style is very similar. Just received my Elfbeads and Ohm CNY bead and they are gorgeous. Cant wait to order again!
Yes, the style is similar but I think theyve got different mechanics. I cant wait to see them IRL! Ooh, arent the Elfbeads divine? Cant wait to see what else theyve got in store for us!
I would have to see them in person. I didnt like Essence until I saw them in person and I ended up buying them.
Its can be difficult to tell what youre going to like from the stock photos. Although, Im already loving this line so I cant wait to see it in person! 😀
This wouldnt do it for me.
Not a n of pandora essence which these are very similar.
Am a pandora die hard but have llen hard for the new ELF bead glass collection.
Looking forward to my first purchase when the website I up and running again.
The similarities to Essence can certainly be drawn, but I think there are fundamental differences too. I cant wait to get these!
For sure, the Elfbeads are amazing! Ive been loving the sneak peeks on their Facebook page.
I am a big n of Thomas Sabo and have lots of their pieces and love the charms on their pearl and stone bracelets. The quality is really good and I am looking forward to seeing the karma range in person though probably wont get any as I am not a lover of the Pandora essence.
Good to know! Ive very little experience with Thomas Sabo although I did see it in person once. The price point was yikes so I didnt bother with getting any. I do love the Karma Collection though and cant wait until I can get some :).
Looks alot better then Essence imoI have a TS store in the middle of the city, so deff gonna check this out. I love how there is ability to customize SO much more then any other bracelet series yet the stoppers, the clipperwonderful
I love Thomas Sabo and have a couple of bracelets, I love the quality. I am very excited about this new b
bracelet and cant wait to get it.
Me too! I dont think theyve actually arrived at stores though so hopefully theyll be available for purchase soon.
Oh, Leann, you evil, evil woman!! I will definitely have to figure out where in NY I can go to see these in person. I love rose gold and the tri-color look! Do you know if these would fit on any other brand of bracelets (obviously not traditional Pandora)?
XD. Its fun to be able to browse all these brands :). I suspect that its not compatible with other brands because the opening looks small. If you see it in person, let me know, otherwise I will report back when I get some of these myself :).
Hi,
I got my Karma Bracelet some days ago and I really love it 😀
I made some pictures for comparision with Essence and traditional Pandora. The opening ist actually much smaller. But the silver of TS jewellery is very light, so I think this wouldnt match anyway.
(P.S. sorry, my english skills arent that good ^-^)
Awesome!! Thanks for the comparison shots. I cant wait to get mine, its in the mail :o).
i had finally got the chance to see Thomas Sabo a year IRL when I was visitng Las Vegas. Sadly, I wasnt really impressed. The silver looked flimsy, which made me a little sad, since I had gotten excited looking at their designs online! But these KArma beads look pretty awesome. Cant wait to see some modeling shots!
I had the same reaction! I am very excited for the Karma collection as well. Cant wait to see it :).
It doesnt look like its arrived in the US yet. There are no shipping restrictions with this brand though so once stores have it, you can order internationally online :).
I got one before the official launch and had a good look at all the beads. Its was more substantial than the essence range from pandora and the beads move around, you have to buy stoppers. The price points are excellent with beads starting at 16.25 the stoppers are around 5. I fell in love the minute I saw it. Another addiction begins :/
I got my bracelet, beads and jewelry box today! I am very pleased with them and the jewelry box is wonderful. Thanks Leann for introducing this brand to me.
Yes Im getting more beads for sure. Ill be in Vegas next month staying at the Venetian so Ill get them there where I can look in person :o)
I saw this collection today. Some awesome pieces. Very similar to the Essence collection, so Ill just stick with my Essence bracelet. I bought a Karma safety chain to put on my Essence bracelet, since Ive dropped my bracelet twice when taking it off and cracked one of the charms :/
Oh no! Ive also dropped mine and cracked it :/. I do think theyre different enough to stand on their own :).
Full-time professional and beadaholic. Passionately collecting and writing about Pandora, Trollbeads, redbalifrog, Ohm Beads, and more since 2011. She lives in Seattle, with her husband, fur baby Beau, and son Alex. Read more about Leann.
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