| Most people would be hard pressed to think of a | | | | scripture into amulets worn about the neck, similar |
| more versatile piece of jewelry than charms. | | | | to charms or lockets of today. |
| These delicate yet often very elaborate miniature | | | | During the Middle Ages and Renaissance times |
| pieces can be used on charm bracelets, added to | | | | charms were used mostly to ward off evil or to |
| hoop earrings or even attached to necklaces as | | | | attract good luck to the wearer. Different |
| pendants. Silver charms and gold charms alike are | | | | symbols were worn for different types of |
| popular either as unique additions to a bracelet or | | | | protection and some where very ornate and |
| chain or as part of a collection of charms. | | | | highly intricate. |
| There are very few rules when it comes to using | | | | Queen Victoria of England again revitalized the |
| charms on a bracelet or with other pieces of | | | | charm bracelet and the use of charms as a |
| jewelry. While some people prefer to keep their | | | | fashion accessory in the early 20th century. |
| charm bracelets all one type of metal, others | | | | Charms that included family crests, flags and |
| prefer to mix and match. This combination of | | | | landmarks from different countries became very |
| silver and gold on the bracelet can be very | | | | popular. |
| striking and can also make matching your charm | | | | The first and second World Wars also contributed |
| bracelet to other jewelry very easy. | | | | to the fashion trend of wearing silver and gold |
| Charms actually date back to some of the | | | | charms. Soldiers visiting foreign countries wanted |
| earliest forms of jewelry. The first recognizable | | | | to bring home small, easy to carry and pack |
| use of the charm bracelet goes back to the type | | | | items, so local jewelry makers fashioned small |
| of Egyptian Pharaohs. The precious metals were | | | | mementos of the landmarks and objects found |
| shaped into symbols that were of importance to | | | | within their country. Wives and girlfriends and |
| the wearer of the bracelet as well as the gods. | | | | family members then placed these charms on |
| People were buried with their charm bracelets on | | | | bracelets in larger collections, more like the charm |
| as a way to provide information that would go | | | | bracelets we know. |
| with them to the afterlife. | | | | Charms are now more than just silver charms |
| Later on in Roman times, charms were used by | | | | and gold charms. They can be plastic, cut glass, |
| early Christians as a way to secretly identify each | | | | precious or semi-precious stones, amulets, or |
| other. The symbol was, as it still is today, the | | | | even beads. They continue to be very popular |
| simple fish outline. Those that studied Jewish law | | | | with young and old alike, making them a jewelry |
| would insert small rolls of parchment containing | | | | fashion staple. |