The Origins Of The Charm Bracelet

The historical custom of wearing charm braceletsreflecting hobbies and experiences. A charm
dates back millenia, and though the materials andbracelet can hold a tiny replica of a sports trophy,
designs on them have changed, the concept itselfa wedding bouquet, or even lockets holding family
has never gone out of style.photos.
This form of jewelry initially had a religousAs well, charms are popular gifts because of their
function, and dates back to the prehistoric era.affordable cost. An intricate silver charm can be
Based on data from Elizabeth Florence, presidentfound for less than 10 dollars, though it's possible
of the Jewelry Information Center, charmto spend 100s of dollars on a 18k gold charm set
bracelets were first worn by Assyrians,with gems.
Babylonians, Persians and Hittites from 500 to 400Italian charms, a genre in and of themselves, don't
B.C. Those charms were created from lapis lazuli,dangle from a chain like traditional charms. Instead,
rock crystal and other locally-available gems andeach pattern is soldered onto a flat link which
were inscribed with symbolic designs, like figuressnaps onto an extensible bracelet. The patterns
of gods, humans and animals. They were closelyconsist of letters, symbols, pictures, precious
associated with magical spiritual powers andgems, or even have enamel pictures painted on
served as protective talismans.them. Charms can be snapped on and off these
As time passed, charms diminished in religiousmodular bracelets to come up with new
significance and became fashion jewelry instead.configurations to match different moods and
The Victorians of the 1890's spurred aoutfits. These bracelets are traditionally
renaissance of charms, due to their love ofmanufactured of stainless steel, though the more
elaborate and intricate clothing and jewelry. Queenexpensive ones come in 18k gold. Each italian
Victoria helped fuel the craze by wearing a charmcharm is of a standard interchangeable size and
bracelet of tiny lockets holding family portraits.the resulting bracelet can be customized to any
A second revival of charm bracelets occured inwoman's wrist; the smallest size holds seventeen
America in the Second World War era, as soldiersor even less links, a medium eighteen, and a large
stationed abroad acquired charms as souvenirsnineteen or even even more.
from the European cities where they wereThere are different corporations which make
stationed and brought these trinkets home asItalian charms, however all brands are supposed
presents for wives and girlfriends. The fashionto be interchangable on the basic bracelet. The
trend continued well into the 1950's."starter" bracelet of blank links costs around 5
Charms have never entirely gone out of vogue,dollars, and on the average charms run 15 dollars
and are becoming increasingly popular today asand higher. Ironically, China also manufactures a
personal keepsakes in an increasinglygreat number of these "Italian" charms, and while
mass-produced jewelry market. Popular themesthey are popular due to their low price, a select
include horoscope signs, birthstone charms, travelfew consumers report occasional oddities like
souvenirs, and family keepsakes. Many womenreversed images and off-size fit on the standard
begin their charms collection when still in childhood,bracelet.
and the charm bracelet grows along with them,