| The wearing of charms may have begun as | | | | Italian charm link. |
| a form of amulet to ward off evil | | | | History |
| spirits or bad luck. | | | | Designed in Italy, the Italian charm |
| In ancient Egypt charms were used for | | | | craze caught on and even soccer players |
| identification and as symbols of faith | | | | wore these bracelets featuring their |
| and luck. Charms also served to identify | | | | country flag. In the 1990s, American |
| an individual to the gods in the | | | | tourists noticed the style and brought |
| afterlife. Medieval knights wore charms | | | | it back to the United States where the |
| for protection in battle. Charms also | | | | fashion caught on and has remained |
| were worn in the dark ages to represent | | | | popular.[citation needed] |
| family origin, religious and political | | | | How they work |
| convictions. | | | | A starter Italian charm bracelet |
| Charm bracelets have been the subject of | | | | consists of eighteen blank links. In |
| several waves of trends. Queen Victoria | | | | order to create a personalized Italian |
| wore charm bracelets that started a | | | | charm bracelet, these blank links are |
| fashion among the European noble | | | | replaced with individually designed |
| classes. Soldiers returning home after | | | | Italian charms. Italian charms are flat, |
| World War II brought home trinkets made | | | | modular links that hook together. While |
| by craftsmen local to the area where | | | | traditional charms dangle, Italian |
| they were fighting to give to loved | | | | charms feature individual pieces |
| ones, American teenagers in the 1950s | | | | soldered flat onto the surface of the |
| collected charms to record the events in | | | | link. |
| their lives. Although interest and | | | | Italian Charms are compatible across |
| production waned through the latter part | | | | brands due to standardized sizing. The |
| of the 20th century, collectors eagerly | | | | modular design means that the charms on |
| sought out vintage charms. Due to the | | | | an Italian charm bracelet are |
| movie Pirate Of The Caribbean, the | | | | interchangeable. An individual Italian |
| fashion in winter 2006 is bracelets with | | | | charm can be switched out for a new look |
| little charms of swords, crosses and | | | | or to better suit the mood or changing |
| skulls. | | | | interests of an individual. |
| Italian charm bracelets | | | | Styles |
| In 2001, a new fashion was launched for | | | | An Italian charm bracelet can be |
| Italian charm bracelets, in which the | | | | assembled in many styles. Italian Charms |
| charms are snapped onto the body of the | | | | can be grouped to follow a theme such as |
| bracelet rather than dangled from it. | | | | family, a specific color, career or |
| Italian charms are flat, modular links | | | | hobby. Also, since there are many types |
| that hook together to form an Italian | | | | of Italian charms, an Italian charm |
| charm bracelet, keychain, or other | | | | bracelet can feature a combination of |
| accessories. While traditional charms | | | | styles. This may include laser Italian |
| dangle, Italian charms feature | | | | charms, photo Italian charms, |
| individual pieces soldered flat onto the | | | | hand-painted Italian charms, authentic |
| surface of the link. Some high fashion | | | | licensed Italian charms, deluxe-link |
| names such as Louis Vuitton and Juicy | | | | Italian charms and dangle Italian charms |
| Couture have begun issuing their own | | | | among others. |
| collectible Italian charms. | | | | Materials |
| n Italian Charm bracelet is a series of | | | | Italian charms are most often crafted |
| individual modular links hooked together | | | | using stainless steel backing and a |
| on a stretchy band to form a single | | | | gold-plated or 18 karat gold charm face. |
| Italian charm bracelet. A typical | | | | The face of the charm (which features |
| Italian charm bracelet is comprised of | | | | the design) is soldered or glued to the |
| eighteen Italian charm links. Each link | | | | stainless steel link. The charm itself |
| features an Italian charm face (design | | | | may feature synthetic or genuine |
| or image) soldered onto the actual | | | | gemstones as part of its design. |