| If you enjoy collecting jewelry with personal | | | | ask them. |
| significance or giving it as gifts, consider Italian | | | | * You'll find that many site sell "18kt gold" Italian |
| charms! They are the most affordable way to | | | | charms. Well, with very few exceptions, it's a |
| create a personalized bracelets with unique | | | | gold-tone and not sold 18kt gold. Just make sure |
| meaning. And, there is an amazing variety to | | | | that if you're paying 18kt gold prices ($18+ per |
| choose from. | | | | charm) that you indeed getting 18kt gold. Again, |
| Whether you love dogs, cats, or want something | | | | nearly all sites sell 18kt gold-tone (or gold |
| signifying your family or hobby, it's all there! And, | | | | accented) charms. Why pay $18 for the same |
| unlike their classic dangling counterparts, Italian | | | | product if you could get for under $3… |
| charms link together to form a flat bracelet; for a | | | | and even for $2, and sometimes $1/charm? |
| more sophisticated look enjoyed by women of all | | | | * A note about care: Even stainless steel charms |
| ages. | | | | can change color when exposed to chemicals, |
| It's no surprise, then, that tens of thousands of | | | | cleaning solutions, and solvents. Avoid chlorine and |
| women each year collect Italian charms and give | | | | any harsh chemicals. |
| them as gifts. How to get started? | | | | What about the Chinese-Made Italian Charms? |
| Easy! Whenever buying for yourself or as a gift, | | | | Yes, a lot of people ask that question. Very few |
| the first thing you need to do is get a "starter | | | | merchants admit it… but, nearly all Italian |
| bracelet" containing blank links. Then, get an | | | | charms sold on the Internet are manufactured in |
| additional 4-5 charms to start the bracelet. The | | | | China. |
| recipient can easily replace blank links on the | | | | Now, what about charms that say "imported |
| starter bracelets with the charms you give them | | | | from Italy?" Well, that's nice, but did you know |
| -- and any others they get in the future -- to | | | | that many of these places simply buy |
| develop a unique bracelet over time. | | | | Chinese-made Italian charms through an import |
| The Secret to Selecting Quality Italian Charms | | | | company in Italy. So, yes, they're "imported from |
| When looking to buy Italian charms, it's important | | | | Italy" but if you think you're getting a handcrafted |
| to consider quality. Indeed, there are so many | | | | Italian product… think again! They're still |
| places selling these things that sometimes it's | | | | manufactured in one of the three main factories |
| difficult to separate the good from the bad. | | | | in China. |
| Here are some things to watch out for: | | | | Which Charms are Great For Gifts? |
| * Make sure they are made of stainless steel (the | | | | Well… really, all of them! Charms that are |
| place where you buy them should say that.) If | | | | especially popular are, in no particular order: 1) |
| you really want to get technical, ask them what | | | | Heart charms, 2) Ribbon (esp. pink ribbon) charms, |
| grade of stainless steel their charms are. They | | | | 3) American flag, 4) Flowers, 5) Family and I love |
| should know, especially if they claim to sell | | | | my kids-type charms, 6) Birthstones, 7) Various |
| "direct", because on the manufacturing end | | | | words and phrases… like "DREAM", "Family |
| stainless steel has exact grades. Usually, it's a | | | | of 5", "Child of GOD", etc. 8) Religious charms, like |
| number (like 304) followed by a letter. You'd see | | | | crosses, etc. |
| them labeled as 304L or 316. | | | | As you can see, the possibilities are only limited |
| * Charms marked with a logo or brand-name on | | | | by your imagination! |
| the back are considered higher quality. You never | | | | Summary: Discover why Italian charms make a |
| know, but generally avoid links that are "blank" / | | | | great personalized gift and to look for when |
| have no logo on the back. What about charms | | | | buying Italian charms. Learn how to distinguish |
| that say "Stainless Steel" on the back? Well, I've | | | | quality product from the rest. Also, see which |
| seen a few that were definitely NOT stainless | | | | Italian charm styles are popular among women. |
| steel… so use caution. | | | | About author: Paul Giovanni is a customer |
| * Make sure the site you're ordering from has a | | | | manager and merchandising specialist in the area |
| money-back guarantee and check any customer | | | | of discount jewelry and health & wellness |
| comments posted on there. | | | | products. For a wide selection of Italian charms |
| * It's important to order charms that are covered | | | | and additional information visit our Italian charms |
| with protective epoxy. Otherwise they'll rub off! If | | | | store; or click here for Italian charm bracelets. |
| the site doesn't state whether they are or not, | | | | |