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