Charm Bracelets
A charm bracelet is an item of jewelry worn around the wrist. Attached by a link or a clasp are charms: decorative pendants or trinkets which can signify important things in the wearer’s life or sometimes just simple items that the wearer finds attractive, interesting or fun. The wearing of charms may have begun as a form of amulet to ward off evil spirits or bad luck. During the pre-historic period, jewelry charms would be made from shells, animal-bones and clay.
There is evidence found in Africa that shells where used for adornments around 75,000 years ago. Also, in Germany, intricately carved mammoth tusk charms have been found from around 30,000 years ago. In ancient Egypt charms were used for identification and as symbols of faith and luck. Charms also served to identify an individual to the gods in the afterlife. During the Roman Empire, Christians would use tiny fish charms hidden in their clothing to identify themselves to other Christians. Jewish scholars of the same period would write tiny passages of Jewish law and put them in amulets round their necks to keep the law close to their heart at all times. Medieval knights wore charms for protection in battle. Charms also were worn in the Dark Ages to represent family origin, religious and political convictions. So, there have been many types of ‘charms’ through the ages.
Charm bracelets have been the center of many fashion trends. For example, Queen Victoria wore charm bracelets that started a new style among the European noble classes. Also, soldiers returning home after World War II brought home trinkets made by craftsmen local to the area where they were fighting to give to loved ones. American teenagers in the 1950s and early 1960s collected charms to record the events in their lives. Although interest and production diminished a bit through the latter part of the 20th century, there has been a resurgence of popularity in the new millennium and collectors eagerly sought out vintage charms. Inspired by to the movie Pirates of the Caribbean, bracelets with little charms of swords, crosses and skulls were introduced as a fashion trend during Winter 2006.
Since 2002, a new trend for European charm bracelets has emerged in both Europe and North America. These modular bracelets consist of a chain onto which different beads or ‘charms’ can be put. The charms are made from gold, silver or Murano glass and are interchangeable to allow the wearer to create their own look.
It doesn’t take a lot of searching nowadays to find so many interesting charms and bracelets on the internet. You’ll find seasonal items like a miniature Santa Claus and religious items like a Cross or a Star of David. There are all types of items to satisfy all types of interests. Some for the younger crowd and some for the teens and older. There is no age limit for a charm bracelet as there is no limit to the fascinating charms you can attach to them. Take a look for yourself and see.
