| A charm bracelet can either be just a flashy piece | | | | the popularity of charms and charm bracelets. It |
| of jewelry or it can tell a story about its owner - | | | | was during Victorian times when charms became |
| a personal account of all the special occasions in | | | | chic and were used for decorative purposes. |
| that person's life. Each generation thinks it invents | | | | They were no longer just utilized to keep demons |
| its own fads and crazes but most fashion | | | | at bay. Immediately following World War II, |
| statements are rooted in the expression, "What's | | | | soldiers returning from battle brought home |
| old is new again." | | | | charms from other places as reminders of their |
| Charm bracelets were really in vogue during the | | | | service. Family members would also be given |
| 1950s and the 1960s. They were all the rage with | | | | charms of remembrance from other soldiers if |
| teenage girls. Every significant event in their lives, | | | | that family's loved one had made the ultimate |
| both at home and at school, was noted by an | | | | sacrifice. |
| appropriate charm. These bracelets, which were | | | | Over the years, charms have been made of |
| mostly sterling silver, became somewhat of a | | | | many different substances to include bakelite, |
| status symbol - who could have the most | | | | cheap metal, beads, sterling silver and gold. Today |
| charms. Some of these bracelets became so | | | | the variety of subject matters is endless. There |
| burdensome with content that it was almost | | | | are theme bracelets such as a mother's or a |
| impossible to wear them, but wear them they did. | | | | grandmother's bracelet, a bracelet that just |
| No matter how heavy or awkward the bracelet | | | | represents the milestones in someone's |
| was - no high school girl would think of leaving her | | | | professional career or a bracelet that represents |
| house in the morning without that bracelet. | | | | only travel-related souvenirs. |
| During the 1950s and 1960s, in addition to teenage | | | | Today, vintage charm bracelets are highly sought |
| girls, grown-up ladies had an interest in charm | | | | after collectibles that are becoming harder and |
| bracelets as well. For the most part, these were | | | | harder to find. It is somewhat sad to see what |
| made of gold. Many of the gold charms produced | | | | should be a family heirloom sold at auction, an |
| during this era were large, round elaborate disks | | | | antique show or a jewelry show. One has to |
| that depicted different holidays and events and | | | | wonder if the owner of such wonderful memories |
| usually showcased either semi-precious or | | | | had no one to leave it to or if the family |
| precious stones. Charm bracelets are an example | | | | members just do not realize what they are giving |
| of one of the few times when the grown-up | | | | up. Perhaps some of the bracelets we see for |
| ladies were not going to be outdone by their | | | | sale today belong to women who just loose |
| daughters. They too became part of the in-crowd. | | | | interest in them over the years - their high school |
| Charms and charm bracelets might have been in | | | | days a thing of the past. |
| style in the 50s and 60s but they date back to | | | | Some people are lucky enough to have a |
| the Neolithic era and really came into their own | | | | Grandpa or an Uncle Bob who is a really good |
| during the rein of the Pharaohs in Egypt. Such | | | | storyteller. However, there are some great charm |
| tokens were instrumental in the Egyptians pursuit | | | | bracelets out there that could give Grandpa or |
| of their rightful place in the afterlife. | | | | Uncle Bob a real run for their money when it |
| Other periods in our history also saw a rebirth in | | | | comes to telling a story. |