| The wearing of charms dates back to 400 or | | | | The charms slide onto the leather or plastic |
| 500 BC, when they were believed to hold | | | | bracelet, which comes in a variety of |
| special powers -- particularly the power of | | | | fashionable colors. These charms usually take |
| protection. By the 1890's charms had evolved | | | | the form of letters, numbers, and popular |
| into a fashion statement and a popular | | | | symbols like hearts or butterflies. Like the |
| keepsake. | | | | traditional kind, they can spell out a |
| | | | message or a name, or advertise the wearer's |
| Now, as then, charms are often given by | | | | interests or sentiments. |
| mothers to their daughters as gifts or family | | | | |
| heirlooms. Many women start collecting them | | | | Ready to coordinate? For the woman who thinks |
| as pre-teens and continue adding to the | | | | of her dog as a furry child (or, heaven |
| collection as they mature. Charm bracelets | | | | forbid, an accessory) mother-and-dog can now |
| make an ideal gift because of their broad | | | | coordinate their look with leather charm |
| appeal. | | | | collars for the dog! Picture "mom" wearing |
| | | | her leather charm bracelet, rhinestone charms |
| Italian charms are the hottest trend right | | | | spelling out "I Love my Dog". Picture her |
| now and show no signs of slowing down. | | | | four legged companion alongside her, wearing |
| Silver, gold, and non-precious charms snap | | | | a matching leather collar and charms of his |
| into place onto a bracelet similar to a watch | | | | very own. Bowser can headlight his name in |
| band. The charms are like the "links" on the | | | | rhinestones. Or maybe his collar will spell |
| band. They're decorated with pictures, | | | | out how much his mommy loves him. |
| letters, symbols and designs that can be | | | | |
| combined to create a message or theme. Which | | | | There's yet another type of charm that can be |
| reminds me of a great thing about charm | | | | shared between man and dog -- or woman and |
| bracelets -- you can add to them. That means | | | | dog, as the case may be. |
| future gift giving opportunities! | | | | |
| | | | To symbolize the prayer for protection, or |
| Another growing trend in modern jewelry is | | | | the golden bond between owner and dog (or dog |
| "theme" bracelets. If you're looking for the | | | | and dog), gold Protection Medallions and Bond |
| ideal dog jewelry gift, a dog-themed charm | | | | Charms are the answer. The 14K hearts can be |
| bracelet could be your answer and a dog | | | | separated so that each owner wears half. For |
| themed Italian charm bracelet might just be a | | | | dogs who are best friends, or people who are |
| slam dunk! Want to coordinate your | | | | best friends with their dogs, this is a gift |
| accessories with your dog's? Buy her a | | | | of dog jewelry that says it all. Should your |
| branklet(R), the doggie version of a bracelet | | | | pal ever wander off, you'll have no problem |
| or anklet. | | | | proving that the two of you are a pair! |
| | | | |
| As Italian charms have grown ever more | | | | It's safe to say that charms have gone to the |
| popular, variations have come on the scene, | | | | dogs, but in a very positive way! What a |
| one of which is a plastic or leather version. | | | | great time it is to be a dog. |