Foundrae has filed a lawsuit against Pandora, alleging the company copied its medallion designs for the Pandora “Talisman” collection. Pictured is a side-by-side comparison of two medallions that Foundrae said Pandora “copied nearly verbatim,” as per court documents.
New York—Foundrae is taking Pandora to court, accusing the jewelry giant of copying its designs for “Talisman,” Pandora’s first collection of medallions.
The New York-based jewelry brand filed a lawsuit against Pandora on Feb. 17 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, stating that styles from the collection infringe on Foundrae’s copyright-protected medallions.
Founded in 2015 by jewelry designer Beth Hutchens, Foundrae has become known for its personalized and symbolic medallions, garnering the attention of celebrity clientele in the process.
Celebrities who have been spotted wearing Foundrae include Taylor Swift, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Emily Ratajkowski.
Pandora’s Talisman collection debuted in August 2025 with 12 medallions, featuring popular symbols like a lion, a rose, arrows, and celestial motifs like the sun and moon.
This side-by-side comparison of medallions by Pandora (left) and Foundrae was included in the lawsuit Foundrae filed in federal court in February.
This collection is “so similar in look and feel to FoundRae’s signature pieces, and the marketing tactics promoting the collection so reminiscent of FoundRae’s aesthetic, that FoundRae found itself fielding inquiries from customers pointing out the similarities between Pandora’s Talisman collection and FoundRae’s medallions,” Foundrae stated in court documents.
Foundrae said the jewels not only “emulate the look, feel, and symbolism” of its medallions, but noted that two of Pandora’s designs, the “Crossing Arrows” and “Sun and Moon” medallions, copied “nearly verbatim the protected expression of the original designs.”
A side-by-side comparison of marketing by Foundrae (left) and Pandora
“Foundrae was built on the belief that jewelry should carry meaning. Every design we create is intentional, original, and deeply personal to who we are,” said Foundrae CEO Ruth Sommers in a statement emailed to National Jeweler.
“Originality isn't just an aesthetic choice for us; it is an expression of a philosophy we have spent years developing. We take the integrity of our creative work seriously, and we will always stand firmly in defense of it.”
Neither Pandora nor its attorneys responded to requests for comment on the lawsuit by press time.
While Foundrae specializes in fine jewelry, Pandora’s medallions, made in sterling silver with 14-karat gold plating, offer a similar look for a much lower price, the type of product that’s sometimes referred to as a “dupe.”
Foundrae’s medallions are 18-karat gold with natural diamonds, while Pandora’s are made using less expensive materials, sterling silver with 14-karat gold plating.
For example, Foundrae’s “Balance” medallion, featuring the sun and moon motif, starts at $3,600 for the “baby” size while Pandora’s sun and moon medallion retails for $70.
In addition to the allegedly similar designs, Foundrae accused Pandora of swiping its marketing aesthetic as well.
It alleges that the way Pandora has merchandised the Talisman medallions in-store mimics its collage-style, mood board approach.
Foundrae said it brought the matter to Pandora’s attention and filed its lawsuit only after Pandora continued to sell the collection.
Foundrae is requesting a trial by jury.
It is asking for a permanent injunction barring Pandora from creating these designs and for the designs to be recalled from Pandora’s stores and website.
