To 2011
585 ALE
Numeric gold fineness without G; distinguishes the earlier quality-mark convention from G585.
stamped · Sterling silver and/or gold as indicated by the marks
Designer marks
Pandora marks
The name “S925 ALE 56 / G585” appears among Pandora marks on Sterling silver and/or gold as indicated by the marks. Its mark period is 2011.
- Active years
- From 1982
- Country
- Denmark
- City / region
- Copenhagen
- Products
- jewelry, Charm bracelets, Charms, Rings, Earrings, Necklaces
- Marks
- 5
Business founded 1982; manufacturing in Thailand began 1989. The founding year is not the incorporation date of every later legal entity.
What to look for
- Read ALE separately from the metal number. ALE names the maker’s responsibility mark; 925 and 585 describe silver and gold fineness.
- Look for the S or G prefix. These letters distinguish the convention introduced in June 2011 from earlier numeric-only marks.
- On two-tone jewelry, check both the silver and gold components. Ring sizes such as 52, 54 and 56 are separate from the metal marks.
Marks & lettering
5 marks
From 2011
G585 ALE 54
G prefix marks the gold convention introduced June 2011; 54 is a ring size, not a year.
stamped · Sterling silver and/or gold as indicated by the marks
From 2011
S925 ALE 52
S prefix identifies the silver quality-mark convention introduced June 2011; 52 is the ring size.
stamped · Sterling silver and/or gold as indicated by the marks
From 2011
S925 ALE 56 / G585
Two-tone combination: silver fineness and ALE on the band with G585 on the gold heart. It identifies both alloys rather than a different company.
stamped · Sterling silver and/or gold as indicated by the marks
About Pandora
Pandora began as the jewelry business Populair Smykker in Copenhagen in 1982, founded by goldsmith Per Enevoldsen and Winnie Liljeborg. The couple imported jewelry from Thailand and developed a wholesale trade with Danish jewelers. Their earlier shop had also handled repairs and secondhand jewelry. In 1987 the business moved away from its original retail operation and employed an in-house designer. Its own manufacturing in Thailand began in 1989.
The charm-bracelet concept launched in Denmark in 2000 became the center of Pandora’s international growth. Customers could assemble individual charms on a bracelet. The company entered the United States and Canada in 2003, followed by Germany and Australia in 2004. A large company-owned factory opened at Gemopolis in Thailand in 2005. Rings, earrings, necklaces and other collections expanded the range beyond bracelets and charms.
Axcel acquired a controlling interest in 2008, and Pandora became a publicly listed company in Copenhagen in 2010. The business retained its Danish headquarters while developing manufacturing facilities in Thailand. Its ALE responsibility mark refers to Algot Enevoldsen, Per’s father. Fineness wording changed in June 2011, when letter prefixes were added to the silver and gold numbers.
Also known as: Populair Smykker · ALE · Pandora A/S
Look-alikes & how to tell them apart
Pandora copies carrying ALE
Copies can reproduce the same letters. Compare the complete design, construction and provenance; a stamped ALE alone does not establish authenticity.
Other jewelry marked 925 or 585
These are fineness numbers shared by many manufacturers. The additional maker wording and the object’s design distinguish Pandora.