Italian Charms & Italian Charm Bracelets

Create Heirlooms and Personalized Jewelry in Traditional or Italian Styles

History of Charm Bracelets

Charm bracelets have been popular from as early as 500 B.C., when Assyrians, Babylonians and even Persians wore charms which they associated with special powers. In recent years gold charms and silver charms are becoming popular once again.

Charm jewelry was also very popular during Victorian times in England, when charm bracelets were standard attire among fashionable women seeking spiritual protection and trendy jewelry. Queen Victoria was known to wear charm bracelets containing tiny pictures of family members.

Charm fashions did not become popular in the U.S. until the 1940s, when soldiers often collected gold and silver charms from cities they visited during the war.

Today charm jewelry is most often purchased as a keepsake; many charms are theme based, while others are sentimental in nature, often purchased as a souvenir of a trip or reminder of a special occasion. Charms are even passed down from generation to generation as family heirlooms, often given to children when younger.

Owners may add their own charms to bracelets over time, including those representing favorite places, hobbies and interests.

Italian Charm Bracelets

Italian charm bracelets are slightly different from traditional silver charms or gold charms. Most charm bracelets are fashioned with the charms dangling from a chain; Italian charm bracelets however, are made with the charms soldered to flat links that can be removed from a stretch bracelet. Charms can easily be switched on and off depending on the owners personal preference. Italian charm bracelets are a unique and fun twist on the standard charm bracelet because they are dynamic, fun to wear and trendy. Popular among the young and old alike, these link style charm bracelets are usually made of high quality, hypo-allergenic stainless steel. The actual charms may be fashioned from a variety of different materials including 14 or 18k gold.

Most charm bracelets come in standard sizes, small-medium-large. For Italian charm bracelets these sizes are categorized as follows:

• Small – includes 17 charm links
• Medium – contains 18 charm links
• Large – contains 19 charm links

Traditional Charm Bracelets

Traditional charm bracelets are made of a silver or gold chain with charms dangling. There are literally hundreds of different styles and themes to choose from when purchasing traditional charm jewelry. Some of the more common themes and styles of charm bracelets available include:

• Beach lover themes
• Victorian style charms
• Vintage charm jewelry
• Memoir or locket style charms
• Silver charms
• Gold charms
• Gemstone charms

Traditional charm bracelets make superb gifts. You can literally find a charm to represent almost any interest, hobby or theme. Sports, animals, travel, landscapes… you name it! In the world of charms, almost anything is possible. Many people enjoy receiving and exchanging charms as part of a hobby or friendship building. Others pass on charm jewelry as part of family traditions. Charm jewelry fashioned with lockets is most commonly the type used for family heirlooms. Perhaps the best facet of charm gifts is that they can be modified at any point in time to reflect a person’s changing interests and style preferences. Bracelets or chains can even be upgraded over time without losing the original charms.

Pricing

Silver charms and gold charms may run anywhere from $2 all the way up to $2000 depending on the materials the charm bracelets are made from. You can purchase chains or starter charm bracelets without any dangles for the $20 or less price range in most cases. Less expensive versions crafted of sterling silver with one charm can be purchased. The more expensive charms are usually gold charms crafted of 18k gold with diamonds and other precious gems embedded in the charm.

Italian charm bracelets $10 to $100 or more depending on the quality and the charms included. Their affordability makes them very popular among younger consumers, who are interested in investing in trendy jewelry that won’t break the bank.

Price will also vary depending on the number of charms that come pre-fashioned with a particular piece of jewelry. Keep in mind that with charm bracelets, you can start with as little as 1 charm or buy into a bracelet that has several charms pre-selected. The choices are literally endless when it comes to charm jewelry.

Building a Unique Charm Bracelet

Anyone can create their own unique charm bracelet, whether Italian style or traditional. If you can’t find something that exactly fits your needs and personality, why not create your own? Crafting individualized charm jewelry is increasingly popular among jewelry fans young and old alike. You can even create your own personalized family heirloom thanks to the versatility charm jewelry has to offer.

Before you begin you’ll need to decide whether you want an Italian style or traditional bracelet; remember that the traditional style holds charms that dangle, while the Italian version has charms that are embedded in chain links.

Once you decide this you can decide on a starter chain bracelet. There are literally hundreds of different starter bracelets to choose from. Consider your personal preferences. Do you prefer the look of gold or silver? Perhaps you like a combination of both? You’ll also want to have an idea of what size starter bracelet you need. Often you can tell this by measuring your wrist. You can do this by taking your thumb and middle finger and wrapping around your wrist. If your two fingers just touch, you’ll probably need a medium. If they overlap, a small charm bracelet will work best for you. If your fingers do not touch, then you’ll likely need a large.

Once you have decided on a type of chain and sizing, you can begin selecting the perfect charms! Consider a theme, charms that represent personal interests, places you’d like to travel to, or hobbies.

Remember that charm bracelets are a fun and unique way of buying or making jewelry that expresses your style and personality in a unique way!

Create Heirlooms and Personalized Jewelry in Traditional or Italian Styles

History of Charm Bracelets

Charm bracelets have been popular from as early as 500 B.C., when Assyrians, Babylonians and even Persians wore charms which they associated with special powers. In recent years gold charms and silver charms are becoming popular once again.

Charm jewelry was also very popular during Victorian times in England, when charm bracelets were standard attire among fashionable women seeking spiritual protection and trendy jewelry. Queen Victoria was known to wear charm bracelets containing tiny pictures of family members.

Charm fashions did not become popular in the U.S. until the 1940s, when soldiers often collected gold and silver charms from cities they visited during the war.

Today charm jewelry is most often purchased as a keepsake; many charms are theme based, while others are sentimental in nature, often purchased as a souvenir of a trip or reminder of a special occasion. Charms are even passed down from generation to generation as family heirlooms, often given to children when younger.

Owners may add their own charms to bracelets over time, including those representing favorite places, hobbies and interests.

Italian Charm Bracelets

Italian charm bracelets are slightly different from traditional silver charms or gold charms. Most charm bracelets are fashioned with the charms dangling from a chain; Italian charm bracelets however, are made with the charms soldered to flat links that can be removed from a stretch bracelet. Charms can easily be switched on and off depending on the owners personal preference. Italian charm bracelets are a unique and fun twist on the standard charm bracelet because they are dynamic, fun to wear and trendy. Popular among the young and old alike, these link style charm bracelets are usually made of high quality, hypo-allergenic stainless steel. The actual charms may be fashioned from a variety of different materials including 14 or 18k gold.

Most charm bracelets come in standard sizes, small-medium-large. For Italian charm bracelets these sizes are categorized as follows:

• Small – includes 17 charm links
• Medium – contains 18 charm links
• Large – contains 19 charm links

Traditional Charm Bracelets

Traditional charm bracelets are made of a silver or gold chain with charms dangling. There are literally hundreds of different styles and themes to choose from when purchasing traditional charm jewelry. Some of the more common themes and styles of charm bracelets available include:

• Beach lover themes
• Victorian style charms
• Vintage charm jewelry
• Memoir or locket style charms
• Silver charms
• Gold charms
• Gemstone charms

Traditional charm bracelets make superb gifts. You can literally find a charm to represent almost any interest, hobby or theme. Sports, animals, travel, landscapes… you name it! In the world of charms, almost anything is possible. Many people enjoy receiving and exchanging charms as part of a hobby or friendship building. Others pass on charm jewelry as part of family traditions. Charm jewelry fashioned with lockets is most commonly the type used for family heirlooms. Perhaps the best facet of charm gifts is that they can be modified at any point in time to reflect a person’s changing interests and style preferences. Bracelets or chains can even be upgraded over time without losing the original charms.

Pricing

Silver charms and gold charms may run anywhere from $2 all the way up to $2000 depending on the materials the charm bracelets are made from. You can purchase chains or starter charm bracelets without any dangles for the $20 or less price range in most cases. Less expensive versions crafted of sterling silver with one charm can be purchased. The more expensive charms are usually gold charms crafted of 18k gold with diamonds and other precious gems embedded in the charm.

Italian charm bracelets $10 to $100 or more depending on the quality and the charms included. Their affordability makes them very popular among younger consumers, who are interested in investing in trendy jewelry that won’t break the bank.

Price will also vary depending on the number of charms that come pre-fashioned with a particular piece of jewelry. Keep in mind that with charm bracelets, you can start with as little as 1 charm or buy into a bracelet that has several charms pre-selected. The choices are literally endless when it comes to charm jewelry.

Building a Unique Charm Bracelet

Anyone can create their own unique charm bracelet, whether Italian style or traditional. If you can’t find something that exactly fits your needs and personality, why not create your own? Crafting individualized charm jewelry is increasingly popular among jewelry fans young and old alike. You can even create your own personalized family heirloom thanks to the versatility charm jewelry has to offer.

Before you begin you’ll need to decide whether you want an Italian style or traditional bracelet; remember that the traditional style holds charms that dangle, while the Italian version has charms that are embedded in chain links.

Once you decide this you can decide on a starter chain bracelet. There are literally hundreds of different starter bracelets to choose from. Consider your personal preferences. Do you prefer the look of gold or silver? Perhaps you like a combination of both? You’ll also want to have an idea of what size starter bracelet you need. Often you can tell this by measuring your wrist. You can do this by taking your thumb and middle finger and wrapping around your wrist. If your two fingers just touch, you’ll probably need a medium. If they overlap, a small charm bracelet will work best for you. If your fingers do not touch, then you’ll likely need a large.

Once you have decided on a type of chain and sizing, you can begin selecting the perfect charms! Consider a theme, charms that represent personal interests, places you’d like to travel to, or hobbies.

Remember that charm bracelets are a fun and unique way of buying or making jewelry that expresses your style and personality in a unique way!

Charm bracelets have always been popular. Pandora bracelets are an interesting niche in this area.

Pandora Charm Bracelets

There are many different types of charm bracelets available for collectors. From the classic charm bracelet, which uses dangling charms hooked onto an open-weave chain, to the newer Italian modular charm bracelets, there are both charms and styles to suit any age group, taste, or budget. The materials for these bracelets are nearly as varied as the types: charm bracelets can be made in inexpensive stainless steel, or pricey 18K gold. One of the newest types are the Pandora charm bracelets.

Pandora charm bracelets use a new sort of technology to add a different twist to the charm bracelet. Instead of using dangling charms like a traditional bracelet, or interlocking stainless steel square charms like an Italian bracelet, Pandora bracelets are different. The charms on a Pandora bracelet come in the form of beads, round charms that can be made in many different patterns and use different gemstones to accent your bracelet. What makes these bracelets especially unique is how the charms are attached to the bracelet base.

Pandora charm bracelets have three segments of threading on each bracelet. The beads, or charms, are actually screwed onto the bracelet in whatever pattern you wish. Each bead moves freely and rotates on its own as you move your wrist, so they definitely catch your eye. The different metals that make up Pandora bracelets range from the inexpensive sterling silver model (starting at $21 for the base bracelet) all the way up to the gold model (at around $500 for solid 14K gold). The beads also range in price depending on the type of metal used, from around $16.50 up to $750 for a single bead.

New Pandora bracelets are developed each year with new charm designs being released four times a year. Pandora bracelets originated in northern Europe and started their road to success in the United States in the year 2002. The many different types of Pandora beads include solid sterling silver and gold styles, Murano glass beads, genuine gemstones and initial beads with a combination of silver and gold. Matching rings (matching to the beads) are also available.

The popularity of charm bracelets continues to grow in the US. More and more women are searching for a new type of charm bracelet to express their tastes and interests. The Pandora charm bracelets are perfect for collectors of any age.

What is Italian charm? The first time I heard this, I thought we were talking about smooth foreign charmers from Italy. No. It’s a new charm bracelet trend!

In the spirit of those old-fashioned charm bracelets our grandmothers wore and gave to us for our birthdays, Italian charm bracelets allow you to express yourself and your interests with your choice of literally hundreds of different types of charms. Unlike the charm bracelets of yore, these charms do not dangle and get caught on everything you touch. These charms are flat and they snap together on a band that hugs your wrist snugly, more like a watch.

Charms can be just about anything. You can find charms with your birthstone, your sun sign, flags and personal messages. There are charms with single letters so you can spell out words on your bracelet. You can get charms showing colored ribbons to support your favorite cause. Choose a charm that shows your school spirit or your favorite cartoon. Foods, holidays and movie stars are available on charms. You can even have custom charms made just for you with almost any message or design you like.

Search jjkent.com or ItalyCharms.com or www.italycharmcompany.com to begin to build your own charm bracelet. There are so many charms to choose from. You can easily build several different bracelets. One of my favorite sites, www.about.com gives a whole buyers guide on Italian charms at this link: http://jewelry.about.com/cs/italiancharms/a/buyers_guide.htm. It’s nice to get opinions about what you’re buying.

You can rearrange and change the charms anytime. Wear it one way to work and another way to go out at night! Change it out completely to match different moods and different outfits. This is the kind of jewelry you can really personalize so that your design is all your own.

Leather wristbands & bracelets started to come into popularity about 3 or 4 years ago. Celebrities started to wear them. Slowly, the general population started to wear them a little. Soon, they become no longer an accessory that was gothic or extreme, the more conservative leather wristbands and bracelets were becoming common among people with many different fashion tastes.

Leather cuff watches are a related accessory to leather wristbands. Cuff watches are leather band watches with wide leather bands, usually about 1.5-3 inches wide. About 3 years ago, there were about 100 cuff watches available for sale on ebay. As their popularity increased over the last 3 years, there are now over 3500 cuff watches available for sale on ebay.

Leather wristbands, cuffs and cuff watch bands have become a fashion necessity these days. Nowadays, there are many celebrities with all kinds of different fashion tastes who wear them. Leather bands is an accessory that has gone from having an extreme or punk stigma, to being completely necessary to mainstream fashion.

Leather wrist accessories are no longer popular with just men. Women are wearing them almost as much as the men now. There are women’s leather cuff watches and leather bracelets available in most clothing stores now.

There are many different kinds of leather bands available in stores now. For women, colored leather or suede bracelets and watch bands are popular. For men, it is popular for the bands to be a little wider, 2 inches or more. With a leather wristband or cuff watch band, it is popular now for the band to have a lot of texture, layers of leather, stitching or weaving.

Also, it has become quite popular for people to have their initials, name or a phrase engraved into the leather. There are many places available online that can do that now.

Three years ago, leather wrist accessories became available online with a much better selection than what was available in most retail stores. The retail stores had quite a delay before they figured out what people really wanted in a leather band.

I spotted the leather wristband and cuff trend about 3 years ago and could see the online selections keeping pace with the demand, but it took about another year or two before the retail stores started to come out with what the customers were really looking for in a leather band. In my opinion, most retail stores are still working on figuring out what is popular. I don’t think they have quite figured it out yet. I think the selection for leather bands is much better online than what is available in retail stores.

I see this leather wristband, cuff and cuff watch band trend as being one that will not die anytime soon. I see the styles evolving and changing, even now. I think the styles will continue to change over the years, but, I think the popularity of leather wristbands & wide leather cuffs is here to stay, at least for the next decade or two.

Italian charms have become one of the hottest jewelry items on the market. As their demand continues to grow, so does the requirement for making bulk purchases by retailers. The Internet is the best place to find wholesalers of Italian charms. There are countless merchants and suppliers of Italian charms, most of them available online. One can sift through various web sites to find out more about the designs, material and prices of these items.

Most of the wholesalers offer heavy discounts for bulk purchasing. In some cases this discount can go up to 60 percent. If a wholesaler is selling only one particular design of Italian charm, you can always press for more discounts. In many cases the wholesalers are also the manufacturers. In such cases one can get a better deal, as the manufacturer would be ready to forego a commission as a wholesaler to develop a long-term business relationship.

Before purchasing Italian charms wholesale, it is important to check out the terms and conditions mentioned in the purchase agreement, in regards to faulty items. Some wholesalers take them back, while others don’t. Most of those who take them back stipulate a time limit for returning the faulty items.

If you are a retailer, you should explore the possibility of getting some “”credit”" from your wholesale supplier. If you are a consumer, planning to go for bulk purchase for a group of friends and relatives, it is better to buy them from a local store. If you are making purchases online, it is always safer to deal with an online store which has been in business for a few years.

At times, one can get a good deal on an auction web site, also. However, one should be doubly careful while making such purchases online, as the payments have to be made in advance and there are a number of fly-by-night operators that could vanish after accepting the payments without making any deliveries.

Feet are among the most the most beautiful parts of a woman’s body. This fact is often overshadowed by modern media, which highlights women’s faces and torsos, and little else. Yet throughout history, the delicate shape of women’s feet have been paid great respect and attention, as proven by classical literary works by D.H. Lawrence and Lord Byron, to name only a few. In “Double Indemnity,” the hero Walter is so entranced by the ankle bracelet worn by a woman named Phyllis, that he mentions it several times in the course of the movie.

In ancient China, it was such a big deal that women had small, delicate “moon-shaped” feet (that is, with deep insteps) that an entire custom dedicated to foot-binding was developed. This was extremely painful for the women, but the standards for lovely feet back then helped greatly in setting standards of overall attractiveness; women with small feet were considered noble and aristocratic.

Nowadays we have done away with painful practices, knowing that women’s feet are beautiful naturally. The sensuous instep and curve of the ankles call for accentuating jewelry. This is part of why ankle bracelets are increasingly in demand.

Ankle bracelets — “anklets,” for short — are lightweight and fancy decorations for the feet. Many come with tiny charms, which usually include variants of a favorite symbol, like cats, hearts, stars, and bells — the variety is endless. Bracelets worn on the feet are in fact very similar in make to bracelets worn on the wrists, which is why for many, bracelets and anklets are interchangeable.

For the most part, ankle bracelets are casual accessories: they are best worn on an ordinary day out having fun. Multicolored anklets woven from fibers or threads look great with casual sandals or flip-flops. However, ankle bracelets made of fine-spun gold and silver make a beautiful tandem with fashion shoes, and look great for formal events.

My order from Jen-Els Boutique was completed quickly, and the Mother’s Bracelet arrived in just a short week. I immediately fell in love with the beautiful bracelet, more so because it had both my children’s names on it.

The bracelet itself wraps around my wrist twice, showing the names of both my children (one on top of the other). On either side of each name is a bead in the color of their birth stone. Emerald green for my son, and pink for my daughter. (May & October) When worn, both names can be seen at the top of my wrist with the dangling gem stones at the bottom.

No clasps are needed because it wraps around my wrist twice (and actually ends overlap again) . No fumbling around trying to get it on or worrying about losing the bracelet. I prefer this type of bracelet to those with claps, since they are easier to get on and off, yet will not fall off or come loose.

While my style of bracelet was the “Memory Wire”, there are several other styles available that do include clasps. Jen-Els Boutique also offers other types of handmade jewelry, including Bridal Jewelry and Children’s Jewelry. For details visit: http://www.janelsboutique.com

Bracelet popularity dates back to the Roman times and continues today.

Roman bracelets shared many of the design patterns of necklaces and earrings from that era. The ever popular ball earrings from that era were nicely matched with a ball style bracelet. Engraved bangles and snake bracelets were very popular during Roman times.

Bracelets made of twisted coil with lion head ends were common place, as were the two part bracelets ending with a pair of lion heads. The Heracles knot bracelet is recognized as a Roman era piece.

The Roman’s were very creative in the designing of their jewelry. However they still borrowed from Greek motifs. Palmettos, fleeing dogs and acanthus leaves, all of Greek origin, were often seen in the designing of Roman jewelry.

Stones and glass were often used in Roman bracelets. . Gem stones were commonly found set in eyes. Open bands were cut to represent a row of ivy and entwined with pearls.

Many of the leaf and berry bracelets were heavily adorned with decorative glass. The wealthier women could be seen wearing bracelets layered in bezel set emeralds.

During the Gerogiian times bracelets remained popular. Paris jewelers were known for their gold bracelets set with pearl edging. After the 1820s coral became the “in” fashion statement, so bracelets and other jewelry were heavily set with coral.

During the Gerogiian time it was very fashionable to wear many bracelets at once, including wide ribbon gold mesh bracelets, and silk ribbon bracelets. Gem and Diamond bracelets were designed in geometric patterns. Gold was heavily used during this era.

The Victorian era brought changes to the fashions of women, including jewelry styles. Earrings grew long and dangled, bracelets became rigid and were normally worn in pairs. The buckle bracelet became very fashionable.

The jewelry of the Victorian era expressed sentiment, and bracelets were no exception. Bracelets would contain lockets or charms with pictures or hair of a loved one, and engravings were common

Early Victorian jewelry enjoyed some mystic with hidden meanings being popular. The acrostic bracelets where the first letter of each gemstone spelled a word of friendship were very popular. For example a bracelet set with Lapis, Opal, Vermeil [hessonite garnet] and Emerald would spell Love.

The Art Nouveau period once again saw changes to fashion and jewelry. Chameleons and serpents entwined themselves around bracelets. The mystical Egyptian scarab was found on bracelets and rings.

Other popular creatures included dragonflies, butterflies, bees, peacocks, swans, and even bats. This was a very figural period attached to nature. If jewelry did not depict creatures it depicted flower blossoms or flower buds.

From 1910 to 1939 women’s fashions saw sleeveless or short sleeve dresses appear. The result was flexible bracelets and bangles worn on the upper arm. These arm bracelets were often adorned with gemstones or diamonds.

From 1940 to 1949 US designers were greatly influenced by the designs from the French house of Van Cleef & Arpels. Bracelets with ribbon of hexagon lines centered on fine gemstones fastened with heavy clasps became very vogue.

From 1950 to 1960 daytime saw simpler lines for not only gold bracelets but necklaces as well. Gold mesh or twisted wire bracelets were very popular.

From 1960 to 1970 bracelets became more flexible and were often set with gems. Bangles on the other hand became more rigid and were often seen set with random diamond placements.

From 1970 to 1979 bracelets were flexible and often set with tiny baguettes. Delicate and dainty bracelets were vogue.

From the 1980s to now bracelet fashions have been mixed and varied. Bracelet styles have become more of an individual fashion statement than a trend.

Gold has always remained popular as have gems, however sterling silver has become very popular and recognized for its versatility and wearability at affordable pricing. In the last few years we’ve also seen an increase in demand for titanium bracelets.

Today a women’s fashion statement is about her! What she likes, what she feels good in. So your bracelet wardrobe can be what ever you want. Wear a dainty gem set gold bracelet or an armful of clunky bracelets, which is very vogue this season.

Your fashion statement is about who you are, so feel free to be you!

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