A bracelet that’s constructed to display charms or trinkets significant to it’s wearer is commonly known as a charm bracelet. Charm bracelets are extremely popular because of their versatility and extremely personal nature. The tradition of wearing a charm bracelet is widely debated – the seeds of these unique gifts were sewn as long ago as the Neolithic era. Some say they were popularised by Queen Victoria; others claim that the trend is far more modern, stemming from the small gifts soldiers returning from WWII brought their spouses and significant family members.
In any case, the charm bracelet industry is booming. This is largely due to the relatively recent release of a new variety – the Italian charm bracelet. The traditional form for a charm bracelet is a chunky chain which tiny charms can be attached to over time. The new, Italian charm bracelet is a more fixed bracelet, designed so that charms attach directly to the links rather than dangling from them.
Charms for the bracelets are highly collectable – charms that were relatively cheap in the 1950s, for example, can now change hands for upwards of $100 on the vintage jewellery circuit. The charms themselves are often assigned specific spiritual, religious or cultural significance, so it’s a good idea to do some research if you’re buying a charm bracelet for a relative far away – what seems a harmless cat to you might be seen as a curse elsewhere.
When purchasing a charm bracelet, it’s important to get the wrist size right – however, the nature of charm bracelets often means it is possible to purchase one that will expand as the owner grows up, or collects more charms. Investigate the compatibility of the bracelet with charms available from the wider marketplace – sometimes, custom bracelets can only take unique charms by the same manufacturer.
© Jewellery Box.org.uk 2006.
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