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
Deep Research
Pearls as a symbol of rebellious luxury
- The Balbina pendant belongs to the same orb-jewellery family that became a breakout Gen-Z trend thanks to the manga Nana, whose author Ai Yazawa filled the series with VW references and sparked a decades-long fan craze for the brand's pearl and orb pieces — giving this necklace a cultural plotline that extends beyond fashion into Japanese pop culture and explaining why the style feels simultaneously vintage and of-the-moment.
- The pendant's orb shape merges a royal sceptre with a planetary ring — a motif Westwood created for her Spring 1991 collection by adding Saturn's ring to the Sovereign's Orb, a design that has appeared in every collection since and represents the brand's ethos of launching the past into the future; the Balbina pearl sits literally at the centre of that ongoing dialogue between heritage and rebellion.
The orb motif and its classic reinterpretation
- The orb logo closely resembles the Harris Tweed trademark, but because Westwood's use of the fabric single-handedly revived its industry, the Scottish textile house welcomed the coincidence; this backstory ties the Balbina pendant to a narrative of British craftsmanship and design disruption.
- The orb first appeared as a pendant in the Autumn/Winter 1987–88 Harris Tweed show, establishing the piece of jewelry that the Balbina pendant continues; knowing the necklace inherits a runway lineage that began over three decades ago elevates it beyond a simple logo necklace.
- The orb was recognized as the ideal brand logo by Carlo D'Amario, Vivienne Westwood's future business manager, when he saw it on a jumper design for a hypothetical Prince Charles, transforming a one-off garment detail into the emblem that now anchors the Balbina pendant and the entire accessories line.
- The orb was born on a knit jumper design imagined for Prince Charles, adorned with heraldic symbols and the phrase 'Deep Sky' alongside radar dishes — a punk-inflected take on monarchy that the Balbina pendant echoes by presenting the orb as a refined, wearable jewel rather than a streetwear provocation.
- While the original orb design incorporated complex heraldic and celestial details, the Balbina pendant reduces the emblem to a polished sterling silver frame around a single glass bead, distilling the logo into a minimalist talisman that serves as an everyday entry point into Westwood's design universe.
- The Vivienne Westwood orb was created in 1985–86 during a collaboration with Fiorucci in Italy, combining the British Crown Jewels' orb with a Saturn-like satellite ring to embody the designer's concept of 'taking tradition into the future' — a philosophy that the Balbina pendant directly inherits as a classic style.
- The Saturn ring circling the orb was directly inspired by astronomy images in magazines lent to Vivienne by her son Ben, who recalls showing her photos of Saturn's rings and deep-sky photography; this cosmic reference adds a personal, sci-fi dimension to the Balbina pendant's recognizable silhouette.
Handmade in Great Britain
- This Balbina pendant is explicitly sold as handmade in the UK, a rare designation in Vivienne Westwood’s mostly globally produced jewelry line that points to a small-batch production run and gives the piece a direct link to British manufacturing tradition.
- While the Vivienne Westwood official site sells a brass-composition Balbina, this retailer-exclusive version uses solid sterling silver, lifting the necklace from costume jewelry into fine–jewelry territory and making the ‘handmade in Britain’ claim a genuine material investment rather than a marketing line.
How the adjustable chain wears day to day
- An embossed tag detail — a small branded plaque — hangs at the end of the extender chain, so when the necklace is worn at its shortest length the tag becomes a visible design accent near the clasp, turning what could be a utilitarian component into a curated detail.
- With a base length of 40cm (15.7 inches) and extender links that can be fastened at 44cm (17.3 inches), the chain spans from a high choker to a standard princess length — so it sits close to the neck for turtlenecks and crew necks, and drops to collarbone level for scoop and V-necks.
- The extender terminates in a lobster clasp, which clips securely onto any link of the extender — compared to a spring ring, a lobster clasp is easier to operate one-handed and can be connected to any link, making adjustment quick and reliable for daily wear.
- The extender chain consists of multiple links rather than a single jump ring, so the lobster clasp can be hooked at intermediate points between 40cm and 44cm — this lets the wearer fine-tune the drop of the 0.9cm-tall orb pendant to match the exact neckline of a particular top, rather than being limited to just two lengths.
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
Q&A
7 answered- Is the pendant and chain made of solid sterling silver as listed, or is it silver-plated brass as commonly reported for Vivienne Westwood jewelry?
- The pendant and chain are made of solid sterling silver as listed in the product details.
- What type of clasp does the necklace use (e.g., lobster, spring ring) and is it secure enough for daily wear?
- The necklace uses a lobster clasp, typical for this style of pendant chain. The clasp is secure for daily wear, but we recommend handling the delicate sterling silver and glass bead with care.
- Does the 'White' color variant refer to a white glass bead or a white metal finish on the pendant?
- The 'White' color variant refers to a white glass bead in the pendant. The metal finish is polished sterling silver.
- Can the glass bead be submerged in water or exposed to chemicals (perfume, lotions), or does it require special care?
- The glass bead itself is durable, but the sterling silver setting and chain are delicate. We recommend avoiding submersion in water and contact with perfumes and lotions to maintain the finish and prevent damage to the bead setting.
- Is Vivienne Westwood jewelry worth the price?
- Generally no, as it is made of low-cost materials like brass and glass pearls; you are paying for the brand name and design rather than quality.
- How do I take care of VW brass jewelry to make it last?
- Avoid all contact with water, sweat, perfumes, and lotions; store in a dust bag or box when not worn; wipe clean after each use; consider replating when necessary.
- Does Vivienne Westwood jewelry tarnish quickly?
- Yes, especially the brass pieces with plating; many users report tarnishing, discoloration, and loss of plating within weeks or months of regular wear.
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 →