Since the year 2000, charm bracelets have seen a surge in popularity, especially the sterling silver charm bracelet. Often these bracelets consist of a collection of charms that represent important events and periods in a person’s life. But with all the charms that are available nowadays, a charm bracelet can also reflect the wearer’s interests, feelings, and individuality.
The wearing of charms has been around since the earliest times. Originally they were worn to ward off evil spirits or to bring the wearer luck. Over the centuries they have been used as a form of identification. In Ancient Egypt, they were worn to identify the individual to the gods in the afterlife. During the time of the Roman Empire, Christians had fish charms hidden in their clothing to identify themselves to other Christians and in the Dark Ages, they were worn to symbolize religion, family and political persuasions. In more modern times Queen Victoria is said to have popularized the trend for wearing of charm bracelets and this trend has continued to a greater or lesser extent up to the present day.
Traditional charm bracelets consist of a double link chain bracelet on which charms dangle. Charm bracelets with a selection of charms attached are available from the mall jewelers or from Internet retailers. If you prefer a more personalized version then buying a suitable chain bracelet and your choice of charms is the way to go. This way you can start off with one or two charms and add more over time. It is usually best to have a jeweler attach the charms to the chain to make sure that they are secure on the chain.
If you prefer to be able to change the theme of the charms on your bracelet, to match the time of year or a particular outfit, then as I have mentioned in a previous posting try to collect charms with lobster claw clasps. This will enable you to change your charms without the expense of buying a new bracelet or the cost of having a jeweler change them for you. If you cannot find charms with this kind of clasps you can always buy the clasps separately at a craft store or online.
Perhaps because traditional dangling charm bracelets are not suitable for everyday wear there is growing popularity for two other versions of the charm bracelet, both of which originated in Europe. And just as there is a huge choice of charms for the more conventional bracelet, there is an equally large selection for these two designs.
The Italian charm bracelet is an expansion band on which interconnecting charms lie flat against the wrist. This means that there are no dangling charms to get caught in clothing or to catch on other objects, making it more suitable for wearing every day. Another huge benefit of this bracelet is that the charms are easily changed with a charming link connecting tool or even with your fingers.
Although you can get the same categories of charms that are available for the hanging-type charms, there are far more personalized charms on offer. For instance, you can get photo charms that you can have a picture of your son, daughter, husband, boyfriend or pet put on. Then there are laser charms that enable you to have your own personal message laser cut into it. There are so many colorful and unusual ideas to choose from that you can guarantee that you will have a truly unique piece of jewelry.
The other style of a charm bracelet is the European charm bracelet. This kind of bracelet has a thicker starter chain onto which bead charms are threaded. These beads tend to be chunkier than traditional charms and although usually made of sterling silver, gold or Murano glass they can also be encrusted with precious stones such as diamonds.
This kind of bracelet appeals to a diverse group because of the different range of beads on offer, thus allowing the wearer to create their individual fashion statement. Some choose to have a bracelet consisting of a selection of colorful glass beads, a look that is suitable for many events whether casual or formal. Yet others choose to make a bracelet with a selection of silver or gold themed beads with spacers or a combination of glass and metal beads.
Even though these three styles of charm bracelets are very different they do have some one thing in common. They are a very versatile item of jewelry and can provide the wearer with lots of different looks, whether they choose to wear a heart charm bracelet to go with their other heart jewelry for a romantic date or change it for one with flip-flops and shells on for their summer vacation.
Over the years the charm bracelet has gone through many changes and styles. While charms are no longer only worn as an amulet to ward of evil and bring the wearer good luck, in many ways they are still an indication of identity and individuality.
A Silver Charm Bracelet
Do you need a graduation gift for your daughter or another female graduate? If so, buy her a gift that is from your heart. It should also be something that will last many years. A dozen roses are beautiful, but they die within a week. A box of candy is nice, but it will be gone in a few days. If you want to give a gift that will make any graduate smile, give her a silver charm bracelet. A silver bracelet is as beautiful as a gold bracelet, but it doesn’t cost as much. Since it is affordable you can give her more than one charm since they are reasonably priced.
Give a bracelet for graduation and then you will have gift ideas for years to come. You can give her a charm for her birthday in the shape of a cake. If she plays an instrument, you can find charms in the shape of a piano, a flute or whatever her instrument is. If she is going to college you can get her charms to represent the courses she will be taking and of course another graduation charm when that time comes.
Does she love cats or dogs? If so, there are charms of those pets for her bracelet. If the bracelet is for your daughter, there are silver charms that say ‘#1 daughter’ or something similar. There are silver charms with diamonds and other jewels, including pearls. You will never run out of gift ideas when you first give the gift of a silver charm bracelet. If the recipient is a younger girl, you may need to have some of the links removed from the silver charm bracelet so that it will fit her better. Give her the extra links. She can have them put back in when necessary.
Put a big smile on your graduate’s face by presenting her with a wonderful bracelet and some charms. She will love it.
About Sterling Silver Charm Bracelet