| When I was sweet sixteen, XX years ago, the | | | | way into popular culture. |
| most fashionable jewelry to have, the first "real" | | | | And then they didn't. After the 1960s charm |
| jewelry, was a 14 karat gold charm bracelet. My | | | | bracelets fell out of fashion, and were relegated |
| parents gave me the gold link bracelet and my | | | | to the bottom of the jewelry box. In gold, or |
| first charm, a gold "16? surrounded with pearls. | | | | silver, they were too valuable to be discarded, but |
| Grandma gave me a January calendar page | | | | they were no longer fashionable, and nobody |
| charm with a tiny garnet for the number 7. Aunt | | | | wore them. |
| Ruth gave me a golden ballerina. That was the | | | | Fast forward to recent years. Here came the old |
| start of the charm bracelet that one of my | | | | charm bracelets from Mom's or Grandma's |
| grown daughters now wears. | | | | jewelry box, and charm bracelets were hot once |
| For every birthday after that, a new charm was | | | | again. Wearing a piece of family nostalgia, or |
| added. Mom had a charm bracelet, Grandma had | | | | creating your own personal charm story is the |
| one too, so now all three of my daughters have | | | | "new" style of self expression. |
| a family heirloom to wear. | | | | Your gold or silver charms should receive tender |
| Charms have been worn for millenia -- from the | | | | loving care. Keep silver bracelets in a tarnish-proof |
| time of ancient Egypt, they have been worn as | | | | flannel cloth bag. Never spray perfume or hair |
| amulets, good luck charms, and, in modern times, | | | | spray near a charm bracelet, and be particularly |
| as mementos of life's experiences and passages. | | | | careful if there are pearls, enamel or gemstones. |
| Charms come in every design the human | | | | Valuable charm bracelets should be photographed, |
| imagination can create. Collectors search for | | | | insured, and kept in safes or safe deposit boxes. |
| charms relating to their passion, hobbies or | | | | Check the clasp and safety chain on the bracelet, |
| experiences. | | | | and be sure the loops of the bracelet and the |
| In the 1960s there were charms featuring the | | | | loops holding the charms are secure. |
| Beatles. Some had photos of TV and movie stars. | | | | Above all, enjoy your charm bracelet. Add |
| Charms could be personalized, with names, dates, | | | | charms to it whenever you find a meaningful one, |
| occasions, and sentimental sayings. Souvenirs of | | | | and have fun with it. If you're lucky enough to |
| vacation travel, tennis racquets and softballs, baby | | | | have one that was your mother's or |
| shoes and hearts - whatever the theme, there | | | | grandmother's, wear it and pass it along to your |
| was always at least one charm to represent it. | | | | own daughter, as I did. She treasures it and |
| Whether for fashion, sentiment, romance, or just | | | | wears it often. |
| for fun, charm bracelets jingled and jangled their | | | | |