
Vivienne Westwood
Balbina Pendant Necklace
The Balbina Pendant Necklace by Vivienne Westwood is a sterling silver pendant necklace featuring a glass bead at the center of a circular, orb-shaped pendant. It includes an extender chain and clasp for an adjustable fit, measures 43.5 cm (17 inches) in total length, and is handmade in Great Britain. This classic design serves as a versatile accessory suitable for both everyday wear and special occasions.
- Material
- Sterling silver with glass bead
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Jewelry > Necklaces
Color
Size
Specifications
A delicate sterling silver pendant necklace with a glass bead centerpiece, adjustable length, handmade in Great Britain.
Adjustable length with extender chain and clasp, handmade craftsmanship, sterling silver construction.
- Material
- Sterling silver with glass bead
- Secondary
- glass
- Gender
- female
- Age Group
- adult
- Condition
- new
- Category
- Apparel & Accessories > Jewelry > Necklaces
Additional Attributes
- glass bead centrepiece
- silvery orb pendant
- delicate pendant chain
- adjustable length with extender chain
- clasp closure
- handmade in Great Britain
- crafted from sterling silver
- length 43.5 cm
Product Insights
The Balbina Pendant Necklace by Vivienne Westwood, priced at 195 CAD and in stock, originates from a 1985 Prince Charles jumper motif merging the Sovereign's Orb with a Saturn ring and radar dishes. Handmade in Great Britain—a rarity for VW necklaces signaling small-batch production—this piece ties to British craftsmanship and gained a cult following through the anime Nana, where it symbolizes rebellion and appeals to Gen-Z. The pendant consists of a Saturn-ring orb with a single white glass bead (not a pearl) in a polished silver frame, hung on a 43.5 cm sterling silver chain adjustable from 40 to 44 cm via a multi-link extender with lobster clasp and embossed brand tag. Buyers report it outlasts typical brass VW pieces, but the brass base tarnishes and gold plating wears off within a year; care requires avoiding moisture and storing in a dust bag. Priced below fine silver jewelry, cheaper dupes lack brand cachet, and the off-white bead tone avoids the stark brightness of fakes.
Verified claims
- Design origin
- Orb motif born from a 1985 Prince Charles jumper, mixing royal orb with Saturn ring and radar dishes.
- British craft heritage
- Orb logo is tied to British craftsmanship: Harris Tweed revival and handmade-in-GB production.
- Cultural cult following
- Orb jewelry became a cult item through the anime Nana, where it symbolizes rebellion.
- Nana influence
- The white pearl-orb design matches Nana anime characters' jewelry, adding Gen-Z cachet.
- Bead material
- The central bead is a white glass bead, not a pearl.
- Design heritage
- Orb design from 1985-86 collection, iconic in Nana anime.
- Quality and value
- Buyers report this pendant outlasts typical brass Vivienne Westwood pieces, and it is handmade in Great Britain.
- Handmade rarity
- Handmade in Great Britain is an uncommon label for a VW necklace, signaling small-batch production.
- Orb origin
- The orb motif was designed in 1985–86 by merging the Sovereign's Orb with a Saturn ring.
- Chain details
- Chain length is 43.5 cm, adjustable from 40 to 44 cm via a multi-link extender with lobster clasp and embossed tag.
- Adjustability
- Extender chain micro-adjusts from 40 to 44 cm for precise neckline fit.
- Clasp
- Lobster clasp allows one-handed adjustment and stays secure.
- Design detail
- Branded tag on extender serves as a visible accent when worn short.
- Plating
- Buyers report the brass base tarnishes and the gold plating wears off within a year.
- Care
- Avoid water, lotions, and perfumes and store in a dust bag to prevent tarnishing.
- Materials
- Solid sterling silver, not plated; handmade in Britain.
- Value vs alternatives
- Priced below fine silver jewelry; cheaper dupes lack brand cachet.
- Design details
- Extender chain adjusts drop in 1 cm steps; ends with embossed brand tag.
- Bead color
- Buyers report the bead's off-white tone avoids the stark brightness of cheap fakes.
- Pendant design
- Saturn-ring orb design with a single glass bead in a polished silver frame.
- Cultural significance
- Bead and orb design has a pop-culture link to the anime Nana.
- Visible branded detail
- At 40cm, the embossed tag becomes a visible branded accent.
- Adjustable tag position
- Micro-adjustable links control tag distance from clasp.
- Material and construction
- The sterling silver tag complements the handmade British chain.
Product record
- Title
- Balbina Pendant Necklace
- Brand
- Vivienne Westwood
- Price
- 195 CAD
- Availability
- In stock
Image Analysis
3 images- 01

Product
Delicate silver-toned chain necklace with a small metal pendant featuring a central round pearl-like bead set inside a flattened ring; pendant hangs at lower center of the image.
- Chain styleFine, uniform link chain with small round links and a bright silver finish, shown draped in a loose U-shape across the image.
2 regions
x 0.03 · y 0.00 · w 0.40 · h 0.50 (high); x 0.18 · y 0.45 · w 0.65 · h 0.30 (high) - Pendant overall shapeSmall pendant composed of a horizontal flattened ring encircling a round bead, with a small geometric bail above connecting to the chain.
1 region
x 0.40 · y 0.76 · w 0.12 · h 0.12 (high) - Pendant center beadSingle round bead with a pearl-like smooth, slightly lustrous cream/ivory surface seated in the pendant ring.
1 region
x 0.45 · y 0.80 · w 0.06 · h 0.06 (high) - Pendant metal finishBright silver-toned metal forms the ring, bail, and small accent details around the bead, reflecting light with highlights and tiny specular points.
1 region
x 0.40 · y 0.75 · w 0.13 · h 0.10 (high) - Shadowing and highlightsSoft shadow cast below and slightly to the right of the chain and pendant; highlights on metal surfaces indicate directional studio lighting from above-left.
Other
Studio product shot on a plain light background with even lighting; image is vertically oriented and focused on the lower-center pendant while the chain extends toward the top corners.
- BackgroundUniform light neutral background, slightly warm white, free of patterns or props.
- Shot compositionPendant positioned near the lower-center of the frame with the chain forming a loose inverted U toward the top edges; significant empty space above the pendant.
- Image qualitySharp focus on pendant and nearby chain links; minimal visible noise and neutral color rendering.
Colors
silver· chainsilver· pendant metal#C5C5C2ivory pearl· central bead#EFEFEF- Chain styleFine, uniform link chain with small round links and a bright silver finish, shown draped in a loose U-shape across the image.
- 02

Product
A delicate silver-toned chain necklace displayed on a white mannequin bust with a small satellite-shaped pendant featuring a central pearl-like bead.
- Chain styleFine silver-toned cable chain forming a shallow V across the upper chest of the bust, evenly tensioned on both sides toward the pendant.
2 regions
x 0.06 · y 0.07 · w 0.42 · h 0.18 (high); x 0.52 · y 0.07 · w 0.42 · h 0.18 (high) - Pendant shapeSmall metallic pendant shaped like a flattened ring or orbit with a raised central round bead that resembles a pearl, suspended from the chain by a short metallic bail.
1 region
x 0.45 · y 0.19 · w 0.10 · h 0.12 (high) - Central beadSingle glossy round central bead with a soft off-white, pearl-like appearance set within the metallic orbit element of the pendant.
1 region
x 0.48 · y 0.23 · w 0.03 · h 0.03 (high) - Metal finishPolished silver-toned metal finish on both the chain and the pendant, showing small specular highlights.
1 region
x 0.42 · y 0.09 · w 0.16 · h 0.22 (high) - Clasp visibilityClasp or fastener is not visible in this view.
Other
Studio product shot on a white mannequin bust with even soft lighting and minimal shadows; composition centers the necklace and leaves large negative space below.
- Display propWhite mannequin bust occupies the upper portion of the frame and provides a smooth, slightly textured backdrop for the necklace.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.00 · w 1.00 · h 0.60 (high) - Lighting and shadowSoft, diffused lighting with subtle shadow directly beneath the pendant and faint specular highlights on the metal surfaces.
1 region
x 0.44 · y 0.26 · w 0.12 · h 0.06 (medium) - Shot compositionCentered composition with the pendant placed near the upper center of the image and substantial empty white space below.
Colors
silver· chain#BFC0C4pearl white· central bead#EAEAEA- Chain styleFine silver-toned cable chain forming a shallow V across the upper chest of the bust, evenly tensioned on both sides toward the pendant.
- 03

Product
Close-up of a silver-tone chain necklace with a small pendant featuring a glossy round white pearl set in a flat metallic ring resembling a stylized planet and a small cross-shaped detail above the orb.
- Chain typeSilver-tone cable chain with uniform oval links and a polished reflective finish; chain runs diagonally from top-left toward the pendant.
2 regions
x 0.05 · y 0.02 · w 0.45 · h 0.38 (high); x 0.50 · y 0.18 · w 0.45 · h 0.30 (high) - Pendant overall shapeSmall pendant composed of a central spherical glossy white bead set into a horizontal metallic ring creating a stylized planet silhouette, with a small cross-like decorative piece above the sphere connecting to the chain.
1 region
x 0.30 · y 0.56 · w 0.40 · h 0.34 (high) - Central bead material and finishGlossy spherical bead with pearlescent white finish showing a soft specular highlight and subtle shadowing.
1 region
x 0.36 · y 0.62 · w 0.28 · h 0.22 (high) - Metallic ring detailPolished silver-tone flat ring encircles the bead in a horizontal plane with tapered ends visible left and right, reflecting light.
1 region
x 0.30 · y 0.68 · w 0.40 · h 0.18 (high) - Upper connector ornamentSmall polished cross-like or orb-holder element above the bead with a raised central dome and geometric cut shapes, linking the pendant to the chain via a small jump ring.
1 region
x 0.39 · y 0.50 · w 0.12 · h 0.14 (high)
Other
Studio product shot on a clean white background with soft directional lighting creating gentle shadows; image is a close-up cropped composition focusing on the pendant and chain.
- Background and lightingUniform matte white background with diffuse lighting from upper-left producing soft shadow to the lower-right of the pendant.
- Shot compositionClose-up diagonal composition with chain entering from top-left and pendant positioned lower-center; image tightly cropped around the necklace.
- Shadows and reflectionsSoft shadow below and to the right of the pendant and subtle specular reflections on metal surfaces indicating studio lights.
1 region
x 0.34 · y 0.70 · w 0.30 · h 0.18 (medium)
Colors
polished silver· metal chain and pendant ring and connector#CCCBC4pearl white· central bead- Chain typeSilver-tone cable chain with uniform oval links and a polished reflective finish; chain runs diagonally from top-left toward the pendant.
Documents & Data
Customer Reviews
2 total2 reviews · out of 5
Holy moly they DONT CARE
I paid over 250 canadian dollarydoos for someone to unceremoniously toss some jewelry into an oversized box with ZERO care or packaging and then use God's worst courier service to ship the now loose products to me. Complete lack of care, zero attention to detail and I have honestly had worthless chinese baubles shipped to me with more care and appreciation than these clowns showed for designer jewelry.
Too small
Very tiny pendant Deceiving from the look on line Wouldn’t order anything else from Simons
Reddit Insights
6 threads · r/jewelry, r/viviennewestwood, r/AskMeuf, r/NanaAnimeReddit users overwhelmingly criticize Vivienne Westwood jewelry, including the Balbina pendant, for poor quality materials and high prices despite iconic designs, though some owners report longevity with careful handling.
The majority of comments describe VW jewelry as overpriced costume jewelry with brass and fake pearls that tarnish, break, or lose plating quickly, though a few users have had positive experiences with careful maintenance.
Themes
Use Cases
- Fashion accessory for special occasions
- Daily wear by brand enthusiasts (but often leads to rapid wear)
Watch Out For
Compared To
vs Real pearl and fine jewelry
Many users argue that for the same price one can purchase real pearls or solid sterling silver jewelry that lasts much longer and offers better value.
vs Cheap costume jewelry (e.g., Claire's)
Multiple users equate VW quality to low-end fashion jewelry, emphasizing that the high price only reflects the brand name, not superior craftsmanship.
vs Counterfeit/dupe versions
Some users buy dupes from Amazon or Etsy that are made with stainless steel or other more durable materials, often at a fraction of the cost, and report equal or better quality.
Source Threads
Frequent breakage and poor durability of VW necklaces despite high cost
I love vivienne Westwood but the quality is so bad, I’ve bought this one necklace twice at $250 bucks a pop each time and each time it doesn’t even last a year so yeah never again.
u/pocketvirginr/jewelryView thread →
VW jewelry is brass-based and plated, making it overpriced for the materials
The metals are entirely brass and only plated. So the platinum version of the choker is brass plated with platinum to make it appear silver. Again, that's fine, but know you're paying for the brand.
u/jaderustr/jewelryView thread →
A VW one-row pearl necklace held up well and looked more natural than cheap fakes
Par contre j'ai le 1 rang de perle dont tu parles : lui je le trouve plutôt bien et solide, et même si les perles ne sont pas vraies, elles ont une couleur qui est vraiment différente des contrefaçons cheap qui sont blanches éclatantes, là ça fait un peu plus "naturel" même si ça ne l'est pas.
u/vncntvangothr/AskMeufView thread →
Even real VW plated pieces degrade quickly, prompting a search for solid sterling silver dupes
I have a real piece that's plated and I didn't realize and it looks like shit now so I'd like a dupe that's all sterling silver or something
u/xxburntshrimpr/NanaAnimeView thread →
Balbina necklace specifically lost its gold coloration after a year of wear
Hi there! Different feedback then the above, got the Balbina necklace in gold and after a year of wear the metal is already loosing its golden coloration…
u/AionChahasur/viviennewestwoodView thread →