| Ancient Egyptians wore charm bracelets to ward | | | | For the Italian designs, carefully soak in warm |
| off evil, designate their family line and as status | | | | soapy water and wipe with a dry soft cloth. |
| symbols. Other cultures also wore them for | | | | Sterling silver charm bracelets can be wiped with |
| superstitious reasons. Knights in the Middle Ages | | | | a soft cloth or one of the specially designed |
| didn't just rely on their ability and armor-they | | | | sterling silver wipes that take off the tarnish. |
| wore tokens for protection in battle. | | | | Gold pieces can be cleaned like any other gold |
| As Christianity spread, people began to associate | | | | jewelry, just be careful with the dangling pieces |
| pagan rituals with dark magic and witches. One | | | | and with any that are enameled. Harsh chemicals |
| belief was that rabbits were really witches in | | | | can ruin the finish of painted pieces. Otherwise, |
| disguise so as protection, so people would wear a | | | | regular jewelry cleaner can be used to remove |
| rabbit's foot as a guard against evil. | | | | the residue. |
| Eventually these superstitious beliefs dropped | | | | The phenomenon |
| away and people began wearing them simply as a | | | | What makes this unique bit of jewelry so popular? |
| fashion statement. Queen Victoria was famous | | | | In ancient times they were non-gender specific as |
| for her collection of charm bracelets. This jewelry | | | | men and women alike wore them as status |
| design has enjoyed a roller coaster of | | | | symbols and as protective amulets. As they have |
| popularity-seeing a boom in the 50s, decline in the | | | | become more of a fashion trend instead of for |
| 70s and back to the forefront of fashion in the | | | | good luck and protection, women and girls enjoy |
| new millennium. | | | | expressing their personalities through the tokens |
| A style for everyone | | | | they wear. Each addition is usually chosen carefully |
| The traditional style is a chain link charm bracelet. | | | | and because the object has some meaning to the |
| There are a series of loops through which the | | | | wearer. |
| charms are attached. The emblem, figure, picture | | | | They are also popular as a gift item, particularly |
| or whatever token dangles from the loop. Now, | | | | on milestone occasions such as a sweet 16. |
| not everyone likes or wants to have something | | | | Another bonus to giving a gold charm bracelet as |
| that dangles but still like the concept of | | | | a gift is that there is never a loss for gift ideas on |
| individualizing their jewelry. | | | | other occasions-just give new tokens. This piece |
| The Italian charm bracelet was designed in the | | | | of expressive jewelry is also a popular family |
| late 80s by Paolo Gensini. This unique design uses | | | | heirloom. Each charm holds a bit of family history |
| individual links that display the charm on the face. | | | | and a peek into the personality of the original |
| It is attached as a link to a stretchy bracelet. As | | | | owner. |
| unique tokens are chosen, the blank links are | | | | Of course, many women wear them simply |
| replaced. Another contemporary style uses a | | | | because they are fun. Today, there is a charm |
| rounded bracelet and the tokens clamp around it | | | | for everything-animals, sports, professions, |
| allowing them to move and spin around. | | | | numbers, letters, symbols, pictures and whatever |
| Caring for these pieces | | | | else the imagination can conceive. |