| Create Heirlooms and Personalized Jewelry in | | | | a hobby or friendship building. Others pass on |
| Traditional or Italian Styles | | | | charm jewelry as part of family traditions. Charm |
| History of Charm Bracelets | | | | jewelry fashioned with lockets is most commonly |
| Charm bracelets have been popular from as early | | | | the type used for family heirlooms. Perhaps the |
| as 500 B.C., when Assyrians, Babylonians and | | | | best facet of charm gifts is that they can be |
| even Persians wore charms which they | | | | modified at any point in time to reflect a person's |
| associated with special powers. In recent years | | | | changing interests and style preferences. Bracelets |
| gold charms and silver charms are becoming | | | | or chains can even be upgraded over time |
| popular once again. | | | | without losing the original charms. |
| Charm jewelry was also very popular during | | | | Pricing |
| Victorian times in England, when charm bracelets | | | | Silver charms and gold charms may run |
| were standard attire among fashionable women | | | | anywhere from $2 all the way up to $2000 |
| seeking spiritual protection and trendy jewelry. | | | | depending on the materials the charm bracelets |
| Queen Victoria was known to wear charm | | | | are made from. You can purchase chains or |
| bracelets containing tiny pictures of family | | | | starter charm bracelets without any dangles for |
| members. | | | | the $20 or less price range in most cases. Less |
| Charm fashions did not become popular in the U.S. | | | | expensive versions crafted of sterling silver with |
| until the 1940s, when soldiers often collected gold | | | | one charm can be purchased. The more |
| and silver charms from cities they visited during | | | | expensive charms are usually gold charms crafted |
| the war. | | | | of 18k gold with diamonds and other precious |
| Today charm jewelry is most often purchased as | | | | gems embedded in the charm. |
| a keepsake; many charms are theme based, | | | | Italian charm bracelets $10 to $100 or more |
| while others are sentimental in nature, often | | | | depending on the quality and the charms included. |
| purchased as a souvenir of a trip or reminder of | | | | Their affordability makes them very popular |
| a special occasion. Charms are even passed down | | | | among younger consumers, who are interested in |
| from generation to generation as family heirlooms, | | | | investing in trendy jewelry that won't break the |
| often given to children when younger. | | | | bank. |
| Owners may add their own charms to bracelets | | | | Price will also vary depending on the number of |
| over time, including those representing favorite | | | | charms that come pre-fashioned with a particular |
| places, hobbies and interests. | | | | piece of jewelry. Keep in mind that with charm |
| Italian Charm Bracelets | | | | bracelets, you can start with as little as 1 charm |
| Italian charm bracelets are slightly different from | | | | or buy into a bracelet that has several charms |
| traditional silver charms or gold charms. Most | | | | pre-selected. The choices are literally endless |
| charm bracelets are fashioned with the charms | | | | when it comes to charm jewelry. |
| dangling from a chain; Italian charm bracelets | | | | Building a Unique Charm Bracelet |
| however, are made with the charms soldered to | | | | Anyone can create their own unique charm |
| flat links that can be removed from a stretch | | | | bracelet, whether Italian style or traditional. If you |
| bracelet. Charms can easily be switched on and | | | | can't find something that exactly fits your needs |
| off depending on the owners personal preference. | | | | and personality, why not create your own? |
| Italian charm bracelets are a unique and fun twist | | | | Crafting individualized charm jewelry is increasingly |
| on the standard charm bracelet because they are | | | | popular among jewelry fans young and old alike. |
| dynamic, fun to wear and trendy. Popular among | | | | You can even create your own personalized |
| the young and old alike, these link style charm | | | | family heirloom thanks to the versatility charm |
| bracelets are usually made of high quality, | | | | jewelry has to offer. |
| hypo-allergenic stainless steel. The actual charms | | | | Before you begin you'll need to decide whether |
| may be fashioned from a variety of different | | | | you want an Italian style or traditional bracelet; |
| materials including 14 or 18k gold. | | | | remember that the traditional style holds charms |
| Most charm bracelets come in standard sizes, | | | | that dangle, while the Italian version has charms |
| small-medium-large. For Italian charm bracelets | | | | that are embedded in chain links. |
| these sizes are categorized as follows: | | | | Once you decide this you can decide on a starter |
| - Small - includes 17 charm links | | | | chain bracelet. There are literally hundreds of |
| - Medium - contains 18 charm links | | | | different starter bracelets to choose from. |
| - Large - contains 19 charm links | | | | Consider your personal preferences. Do you |
| Traditional Charm Bracelets | | | | prefer the look of gold or silver? Perhaps you like |
| Traditional charm bracelets are made of a silver | | | | a combination of both? You'll also want to have an |
| or gold chain with charms dangling. There are | | | | idea of what size starter bracelet you need. |
| literally hundreds of different styles and themes | | | | Often you can tell this by measuring your wrist. |
| to choose from when purchasing traditional charm | | | | You can do this by taking your thumb and middle |
| jewelry. Some of the more common themes and | | | | finger and wrapping around your wrist. If your |
| styles of charm bracelets available include: | | | | two fingers just touch, you'll probably need a |
| - Beach lover themes | | | | medium. If they overlap, a small charm bracelet |
| - Victorian style charms | | | | will work best for you. If your fingers do not |
| - Vintage charm jewelry | | | | touch, then you'll likely need a large. |
| - Memoir or locket style charms | | | | Once you have decided on a type of chain and |
| - Silver charms | | | | sizing, you can begin selecting the perfect charms! |
| - Gold charms | | | | Consider a theme, charms that represent |
| - Gemstone charms | | | | personal interests, places you'd like to travel to, or |
| Traditional charm bracelets make superb gifts. | | | | hobbies. |
| You can literally find a charm to represent almost | | | | Remember that charm bracelets are a fun and |
| any interest, hobby or theme. Sports, animals, | | | | unique way of buying or making jewelry that |
| travel, landscapes... you name it! In the world of | | | | expresses your style and personality in a unique |
| charms, almost anything is possible. Many people | | | | way! |
| enjoy receiving and exchanging charms as part of | | | | |