| If you enjoy collecting jewelry withpersonal | | | | NOT stainless steel... so use caution. |
| significance or giving it as gifts, consider Italian | | | | * Make sure the site you're ordering fromhas a |
| charms! They are the most affordable way to | | | | money-back guarantee and check any customer |
| create apersonalized bracelets with unique | | | | comments posted on there. |
| meaning. | | | | * It's important to order charms that arecovered |
| And, there is an amazing variety to choose from. | | | | with protective epoxy. Otherwisethey'll rub off! If |
| Whether you love dogs, cats, or wantsomething | | | | the site doesn'tstate whether they are or not, |
| signifying your family or hobby, it's all there! And, | | | | ask them. |
| unlike their classic danglingcounterparts, Italian | | | | * You'll find that many site sell |
| charms link together to form a flat bracelet; for a | | | | "18kt gold" Italian charms. |
| moresophisticated look enjoyed by women of all | | | | Well, with very few exceptions, it's a gold-tone |
| ages. | | | | and not sold 18kt gold. Just make sure that if |
| It's no surprise, then, that tens ofthousands of | | | | you're paying 18ktgold prices ($18+ per charm) |
| women each year collect Italian charms and give | | | | that you indeed getting 18kt gold. Again, nearly all |
| them asgifts. How to get started? | | | | sites sell 18kt gold-tone |
| Easy! | | | | (or gold accented) charms. Why pay $18for the |
| Whenever buying for yourself or as a gift, the | | | | same product if you could get for under $3... and |
| first thing you need todo is get a "starter | | | | even for $2, andsometimes $1/charm? |
| bracelet" containing blank links. Then, get an | | | | * A note about care: Even stainless steel charms |
| additional 4-5 charms to startthe bracelet. The | | | | can change colorwhen exposed to chemicals, |
| recipient can easilyreplace blank links on the | | | | cleaning solutions, and solvents. Avoid chlorine and |
| starter bracelets with the charms you give them | | | | any harsh chemicals. |
| --and any others they get in the future -- to | | | | What about the Chinese-Made Italian Charms? |
| develop a unique bracelet overtime. | | | | Yes, a lot of people ask thatquestion. Very few |
| The Secret to Selecting Quality Italian | | | | merchants admit it...but, nearly all Italian charms |
| Charms | | | | sold on the Internet are manufactured in China. |
| When looking to buy Italian charms, it'simportant | | | | Now, what about charms that say |
| to consider quality. Indeed,there are so many | | | | "imported from Italy?" Well, that's nice, but did |
| places selling these things that sometimes it's | | | | you know that manyof these places simply buy |
| difficult toseparate the good from the bad. | | | | Chinese-made Italian charms through an |
| Here are some things to watch out for: | | | | importcompany in Italy. So, yes, they're "imported |
| * Make sure they are made of stainlesssteel (the | | | | from Italy" butif you think you're getting a |
| place where you buy them should say that.) If | | | | handcrafted Italian product... think again! They're |
| you really want to get technical, ask themwhat | | | | still manufactured in one of thethree main |
| grade of stainless steel their charms are. | | | | factories in China. |
| They should know, especially if they claim to sell | | | | Which Charms are Great For Gifts? |
| "direct",because on the manufacturing end | | | | Well... really, all of them! Charms that are especially |
| stainless steel has exact grades. Usually, it's a | | | | popular are, in noparticular order: 1) Heart charms, |
| number (like 304) followed bya letter. You'd see | | | | 2) Ribbon (esp. pink ribbon) charms, 3) |
| them labeled as 304Lor 316. | | | | American flag, 4) Flowers, 5) Family and I love |
| * Charms marked with a logo or brand-nameon | | | | my kids-type charms, 6) |
| the back are considered higher quality. | | | | Birthstones, 7) Various words and phrases... like |
| You never know, but generally avoid links that are | | | | "DREAM", "Familyof 5", "Child of GOD", etc. |
| "blank" /have no logo on the back. What | | | | 8) Religious charms, like crosses, etc. |
| aboutcharms that say "Stainless Steel" on the | | | | As you can see, the possibilities are onlylimited by |
| back? Well, I've seen a few that were definitely | | | | your imagination! |