| Charms can be said to have originated as early as | | | | special to the one receiving the charm bracelet. It |
| the Stone Age, with the simple process of our | | | | is also now a very common thing to teach |
| caveman ancestors picking up an oddly shaped | | | | children how to make these bracelets from found |
| rock off the ground and carrying it around with | | | | objects. Items as simple as some string with |
| him as a trinket against those who would do him | | | | cheap beads attached to it can come together to |
| harm. | | | | make a wonderful bracelet. |
| Later on, in places like ancient Egypt, these | | | | In 2002, a new trend appeared all across the |
| charms and bracelets came to have other | | | | world - customization. Since that turn in the road, |
| purposes. Like the cavemen had before them, | | | | you can customize your bracelets with |
| they used charms to enhance their luck. But the | | | | interchangeable parts to allow for more |
| Egyptians expanded on that theory, using them | | | | personalization. These many different charms |
| for various other magical and religious reasons as | | | | come in silver, gold, platinum, diamond, or special |
| well. One of which was something unique to | | | | glass. You can add your own choice of beads to |
| Egyptian culture. Their society's own take on the | | | | your bracelet and truly make it something that's |
| practical use of charms included wearing them to | | | | unique to you. This quickly became a popular way |
| establish identity in the afterlife, as they aided any | | | | to go. Who doesn't want their very own piece of |
| number of gods in the process of guiding the | | | | jewelry that no-one else in the world can wear? |
| bearer through the underworld. The last thing | | | | These charm bracelets can cover a wide range |
| anyone ever wanted to do is wind up in the | | | | of prices. Silver charm attachments can start |
| wrong place after death. How little things have | | | | from around $35 US, but for gold and diamond |
| changed in that respect. | | | | attachments, beads can go as high as $1000 US. |
| In European countries, during Medieval Times, we | | | | These beads are also made available to be used |
| can also find evidence that charms were used as | | | | as necklaces or other jewelry, such as rings and |
| amulets for keeping away dark and evil spirits. | | | | earrings to allow for matching sets. Biagi, Troll, |
| The common theory that seems to run through | | | | Pandora and Chamilia beads are some of the |
| most cultures of using them to dispel bad luck | | | | more popular brands offering these customizable |
| also came into play here. Brave but superstitious | | | | jewelry. Also some higher end couture brands |
| knights would wear charms in wars to protect | | | | have started offering their own charm bracelets |
| them from harm or death. | | | | like Louis Vuitton and Juicy Couture which can go |
| During more current times, they have become | | | | for hundreds of thousands of dollars. This latest |
| more of a fashion statement or simply objects | | | | development has tempted counterfeiters to |
| with sentimental value for the wearer. They | | | | create their own fakes to sell to the demanding |
| started being worn as a simple fashion trend that | | | | public for a much lower cost but also a far less |
| began in Europe. But people would also use them | | | | desirable quality, stealing from the strong branding |
| as gifts for their loved ones, as they could easily | | | | that has been created by famous couture |
| be personalized with names, places, dates or | | | | companies. What a long way that charms have |
| anything that would mean something specific and | | | | come over the centuries. |