| You have heard of a regular charm bracelet, | | | | A "starter" bracelet typically consists of blank |
| right? These delightful little bracelets have been | | | | links, meaning "place holder" links which do not |
| around for years, but in the 1990's another type | | | | have a design or an image. In order to personalize |
| of bracelet showed up on the doorsteps of the | | | | this bracelet, each link is replaced with an |
| United States. The Italian charm bracelet is its | | | | individually designed Italian charm. |
| name, have you heard of it? Do you know in | | | | How is it possible that all these charm link |
| what ways these two types of bracelets differ? | | | | together? This is because there is a standard |
| What exactly do these bracelet charms look like | | | | sizing across every brand of Italian charm. They |
| anyway? Welcome to the world of this wonderful | | | | are all compatible with each other and |
| little bracelet. We hope you like this overview... | | | | interchangeable as well. Links can be taken out, |
| Italy started the craze for these delightful little | | | | and others put back into place, to portray the |
| pieces of jewelry. From a humble beginning the | | | | statement you would like to state, or suit your |
| popularity grew and grew until even soccer stars | | | | particular mood. |
| got into the act. They started to wear these | | | | Since these bracelets are so flexible, charms can |
| bracelets with charms depicting the Italian flag. | | | | be grouped together to portray various themes. |
| When American tourists spotted these on the | | | | Themes vary, but some of the more popular |
| streets of Italy, they bought them, and brought | | | | ones are: hobby, flowers, career, animals, travel, |
| them back to the United States. Their popularity | | | | special events, or even specific colors. To make |
| has caught on here as well. | | | | up these various groupings you can choose from |
| The links of these bracelets are made from a | | | | photo charms, authentic licensed charms, deluxe |
| charm face soldered onto an Italian charm link. | | | | charms, hand-painted charms, laser charms, and |
| These faces are usually comprised of either a | | | | dangle charms. |
| design or an image. They differ from a regular | | | | Stainless steel backing is the most popular choice |
| charm bracelet charm in that they are flat and | | | | of materials for Italian charms. They will then |
| modular and hook together nicely. There are over | | | | have either a gold-plated or 18-karat gold charm |
| 5000 different designs of these charms on sale | | | | face. Solder or glue joins the face of the charm |
| today, and they range in price from a low of | | | | to the stainless steel link. Sometimes a gemstone |
| about $3 to $50 per charm. | | | | is added to the design of the charm. |
| The bracelet's size will determine on the size of | | | | That's it for our little story of Italian charm |
| the wrist it will be worn upon. Simple enough. | | | | bracelet charms and their associated bracelets as |
| Children, who usually have the smallest wrists, will | | | | well. We hope that it was informative for you, |
| require between 13 to 15 links. Women will usually | | | | and you enjoyed it. These beautiful little pieces of |
| need 16 to 19 links. Men with large wrists may | | | | jewelry made their debut in the United States in |
| require 20 or more links of charms. | | | | the 1990's, and are still growing strong. |