What’s the real story behind the Pura Vida bracelet brand?

You’ve probably seen their ads on social media, or your favorite celebrities and influencers promoting these colorful bracelets on their Instagram account and wondered what they were all about.

After all, how could a bracelet company rack up close to 2 million Facebook followers?

And are they just a bracelet brand, or do they sell other jewelry?

If questions like these have come up for you, today’s quick guide can help.

We’ll give you a rundown of everything you need to know about Pura Vida jewelry, including how it compares to Blush and Bar.

To start, we’ll dive into:

The Pura Vida brand story began when Griffin Thall and Paul Goodman, two college friends, took a trip to Costa Rica to celebrate their graduation.

The tropical flowers, sun-kissed surf, and unique style of the locals caught their attention and captured their hearts. 

Then they came across Jorge and Joaquin, two artisans making and selling colorful string bracelets to any customer happening to pass by.

Griffin and Paul learned that Jorge and Joaquin were struggling to survive and support their families on their artisan wages, despite their talent and beautiful jewelry selling well.

So they decided to partner up and take their business venture to the next level. George and Paul asked Jorge and Joaquin to make 400 bracelets so they could bring them back to the US.

As soon as George and Paul returned, they brought their simple string bracelets to a local boutique, and they sold out within a few days.

It was then that they realized they had a lifestyle brand slowly forming, according to the Pura Vida website.

George and Paul named their bracelets Pura Vida, which literally translates to “pure life” in Spanish.

In Costa Rican philosophy, Pura Vida is not just a saying: it’s a lifestyle. 

This way of living celebrates the simple things and encourages people to slow down, enjoy life’s pleasures, and live life to the fullest.

Today, this sentiment is carried throughout the brand, its artisans, and its brand ambassador program.

Pura Vida has since expanded to include 800 local artisans from Costa Rica, El Salvador, India, and more.

As their website mentions, these artisans can count on the steady income and positive work environment cultivated by Pura Vida’s founders.

Though the Pura Vida jewelry line started with the colorful bracelets Joaquin and Jorge created, they’ve branched out to sell rings, necklaces, earrings, anklets, toe rings, and more.

Let’s go over their iconic bracelets before diving into the rest of what you can shop for:

These woven bracelets come in a variety of colors and styles. 

You can wear one Pura Vida bracelet on its own, or combine your favorites for a customized bracelet set. 

Certain bracelets even feature different charms. Each charm represents something unique to help customers show off their personalities and sense of style.

Pura Vida also sells “packs” of bracelets that come with two to three complementary bracelets so you don’t have to come up with your own color combinations.

They’ve even started a bracelet club where you can get up to three exclusive bracelets each month for a recurring monthly membership.

The founders of Pura Vida wanted to pass on their good fortune and give back to worthy causes. 

So they created their Charity Collection of jewelry, which contains specific bracelets that donate a portion of their proceeds to humanitarian causes, health awareness, animal conservation, and more.

Now each customer can support a cause or movement they believe in. And every person receiving a charity bracelet gift can spread awareness further.

Since opening its doors, Pura Vida has donated close to $2.4 million to over 175 charities worldwide.

Pura Vida wanted to be known as more than just a beautiful bracelet brand. So on top of selling these, they’ve recently expanded their line to include other jewelry, such as rings, necklaces, earrings, and toe rings.

The company sells jewelry sets, like the one above, that comes with a choker, sun ring, and ear cuff too

Pura Vida also offersNesting Rings andrings with stones to provide a more “high end” feel to their casual brand’s style.

You can choose this Nesting Ring in either silver plating over brass with a chalcedony stone, or a rose gold finish with a moonstone. Each is surrounded by cubic zirconia for extra sparkle.

Or pick up this Moonstone Double Stone ring crafted with sterling silver and covered in rose gold plating.

Like a bit of surprise? You can purchase a mystery bracelet or mystery ring for the ultimate unboxing event. You won’t know what you’ll get until it arrives at your doorstep.

Fans of the Pura Vida brand can also subscribe to their jewelry club (similar to their bracelet club). You’ll receive a new piece of jewelry every month, six months, or annually, depending on the membership level you choose.

Both Pura Vida and Blush and Bar offer affordable jewelry options that fit your budget.

However, Pura Vida’s casual jewelry line is slightly cheaper than Blush and Bar’s. And that price savings comes with a major drawback.

The biggest issue with Pura Vida jewelry is that its rhodium or another plating over brass.

Unfortunately, jewelry made with brass and coated in less expensive finishes means the jewelry has a higher chance of discoloration over time and with continued wear.

So while a ring may only cost you $20, you may find yourself needing to replace it sooner than expected.

On the other hand, all the jewelry at Blush and Bar is made out of stamped 925 Sterling Silver and then layered with a thick coating of 18k gold. This makes our pieces both beautiful and durable. Your jewelry will never tarnish, and your skin won’t turn green. 

We believe in our jewelry so much that each piece comes with a 100-year warranty. We’ll replace your piece free of charge if it ever turns in your lifetime. 

Pura Vida can’t say the same.

Blush and Bar’s rings start at $59 each, which is higher than Pura Vida’s $14-$20 entry price range.

But you can save money at Blush and Bar the more you buy.

You’ll only need to buy your Blush and Bar rings once to fall in love with them forever. But you’ll need to continually spend money replacing the Pura Vida ones you may grow attached to.

Blush and Bar’s rings start at $59 each, which is higher than Pura Vida’s $14-$20 entry price range.

But you can save money at Blush and Bar the more you buy.

You’ll only need to buy your Blush and Bar rings once to fall in love with them forever. But you’ll need to continually spend money replacing the Pura Vida ones you may grow attached to.

Both Pura Vida and Blush and Bar believe in supporting local artisans. Pura Vida and Blush and Bar each have artisans working and sourcing materials across the globe.

Yet Blush and Bar specifically support artisans in the United States.

Blush and Bar’s jewelry is designed in New York City and then assembled and shipped from Lafayette, Indiana. Our team of artisans handles everything from stone-setting to polishing finished products to ensure the highest quality standards are kept throughout each stage.

Blush and Bar’s gems are also conflict-free and ethically sourced. We only work with suppliers who can guarantee this along with fair pricing.

Now that you know more about Pura Vida and how their jewelry compares to Blush and Bar’s, you may decide to go in a different direction.

Ultimately, while you may save more money upfront, your Pura Vida jewelry may not last as long and may need to be replaced sooner. And no one wants to fall in love with a piece just to watch its beauty slowly fade away.

At Blush and Bar, you’ll capture that effortless, chic, high-end jewelry feel without the expensive price tag. 

And your piece will be just as stunning on day one as it will be on day 100. That’s why our jewelry is the perfect gift for yourself, a loved one, or a friend.

So if you haven’t checked out Blush and Bar’s jewelry collection,

visit this page now to find the next piece you can’t live without.