If you're the type of person who is incredibly sentimental, personalised jewellery and accessories are definitely a must-have in your collection, especially charm bracelets. But what is a charm bracelet exactly? One of the most versatile pieces of jewellery, the tradition of a charm bracelets has been around for centuries, and is still one of the most popular ways to accessorise your look today.
Charm bracelets have earned their place as a timeless and versatile wardrobe staple, adding a touch of personal style and sentimentality to any ensemble. The beauty of these bracelets is their adaptability which allows the wearer to curate a collection of meaningful charms that reflect their interests, milestones, and memories. Effortlessly transitioning from day-to-night, charm bracelets are not only a unique form of self-expression but a great piece for all occasions and outfits.
Don't believe us? Let us prove you wrong. Read on as we unpack all that there is to know about charm bracelets including, their history, origins and most importantly, how to style them.
Overview:
- What Is A Charm Bracelet?
- What Is The History & Meaning Of Charm Bracelets?
- What Types of Charms can I use?
- What Metals and Designs of Charm bracelets are there?
What Is A Charm Bracelet?
So, what is a charm bracelet?
Charms are small decorative trinkets that are symbolic and meaningful to the owner. These charms can symbolise milestones, people, and all sorts of meaningful aspects of one’s life. Nowadays, charm and trinket bracelets are highly sought after worldwide. Ever popular with young celebrities, charms have recently been used to promote charities, religion, good times, and just plain fun, as well as carrying the sentiment which comes with every one.
What is the History, Tradition, and Meaning of Charm bracelets?
Originally, the charm bracelet was an instrument that was believed to provide luck or protection to those who wore or held it. Good luck charms, also called amulets, were worn on wrist and with necklaces at least as far back as ancient Egypt, Rome, and other civilisations. The inhabitants of these ancient civilisations believed that there were special powers in the objects that they would attach to their these amulets, shields, and sheaths. However, the true origin of the charm bracelet can be traced back to Queen Victoria, who wore a gold chain on her wrist, attached to which were lockets containing the portraits of each member of her family. This transformed the meaning of the charm bracelet from that which provides luck and protection, to a statement of style, personal meaning, and expression.
The trend continued when the women in Victorian England copied the style, recreating it in their own way, by adding glass beads, lockets, and other trinkets to their chains. What added a lot of sentimental worth to these was when soldiers from the World War would travel through cities and bring back little jewellery charms as souvenirs for the women in their lives. It then became popular for all the teenage girls of the era to receive charms representing significant milestones in her life, from graduation, to marriage. These then went on to become heirlooms, and popular gifts to girls on their 16th or 18th birthdays.
What Types Of Charms Can I use?
Charm bracelets offer a diverse canvas for self expression, with a multitude of charm options to suit every taste and style. From classic symbols like hearts, stars, and initials to hobby-themed charms, such as animals, sports, and musical notes, the choices are endless.
Gemstone Charms
Also known as birthstone jewellery, these are small charms adorned with gemstones that signify a person's birth month. Whether it be the birth month of the wearer's, their partner or even their children's, gemstone jewellery is a great way to add a pop of colour and personal significance to your charm bracelet. Some will even adorn multiple gemstones as a way to represent each member of the wearer's family. Others will wear specific gemstones for their symbolism.
Sterling Silver Thomas Sabo Charm Club October Rose Quartz
$69.30
$99.00
Add this stunning Sterling Silver Thomas Sabo Charm Club October Rose Quartz to your charm collection. Rose quartz is the birthstone for October, making this a perfect gift for a birthday! This is a stunning stone that has beautiful tones… read more
Sterling Silver Thomas Sabo Charm Club March Aquamarine
$69.30
$99.00
Keep your birthstone close with this Sterling Silver Thomas Sabo Charm Club March Aquamarine. With the stone set in a subtle setting, the fresh aquamarine colour is on full display. The perfect way to liven your outfit and add a… read more
Symbols Of Luck
Symbols of luck are perhaps the most popular amulets you will find adorned on someone's charm bracelets as many believe that these help bring good fortune and can even help ward off bad energies. Charms like the wishbone, horseshoe and the four-leaf clover are immensely popular for this reason. Then there are cultural symbols such as the horn of plenty and evil eye jewellery which are used as a form of protection in Italian and Greek culture.
Sterling Silver Thomas Sabo Charm Club Nazar Amulet
$48.30
$69.00
Adorn yourself with this Sterling Silver Thomas Sabo Charm Club Nazar Amulet to ward off evil spirits and bring you good luck. The Nazar Amulet is famous in Turkey and has amazing historical origins. Not only is this a spiritual… read more
Sterling Silver Thomas Sabo Charm Club Horse Shoe
$34.30
$49.00
A great gift idea, this Sterling Silver Thomas Sabo Charm Club Horse Shoe is adorable. Crafted in quality sterling silver by Thomas Sabo, this charm has a shiny lustre with great reflections that look great paired with anything. Embellished with… read more
Token Charms
Token charms are a unique set of charms that represent anything from places to people and even special milestones. Coming in the form of everything from initial jewellery that represents the wearer or even a loved one and numbers that represent significant birthdays, to iconic landmarks and planes which represent special holidays or animal paw prints which help signify your love or a memory of a pet, a token charm is essentially anything that you want it to be.
Sterling Silver Thomas Sabo Charm Club Passport Enamel
$69.30
$99.00
The perfect charm for travellers, this Sterling Silver Thomas Sabo Charm Club Passport Enamel charm is stunning in its refined details. Add it to a charm bracelet or wear it as a pendant, this piece is a great gift idea… read more
Sterling Silver Thomas Sabo Charm Club Lucky 21
$69.00
This Sterling Silver Thomas Sabo Charm Club Lucky 21 is the perfect good luck charm. Set with a lucky horseshoe and one of the classic numbers of good luck, this piece is perfect for anyone with superstitions. The clean silver… read more
Relationships Charms
One of the most common uses for charm bracelets is to represent a relationship. Over exchanged between partners, many wearers will use charm bracelets as a way to highlight significant milestones in their relationship. Relationship charms are anything from hearts adorned with engravements featuring the wearer and their partner's initials or a special quote, two rings to signify marriage, a teddy bear or baby feet for the birth of a first child, a key or lock to highlight that they have the key to your heart and even the couple's initials.
Sterling Silver Thomas Sabo Charm Club Wedding Ring
$69.30
$99.00
This Sterling Silver Thomas Sabo Charm Club Wedding Ring set is a cute way to show off your love for someone special. Ideal as a gift, this charm is set with two small rings, one with a zirconia stone, and… read more
Sterling Silver Thomas Sabo Charm Club Silver Eternity
$31.50
$45.00
Add this gorgeous charm to your collection! Our Sterling Silver Thomas Sabo Charm Club Silver Eternity features the infinity symbol. This symbol signifies eternal and everlasting love, it is universal, meaning that you can give this charm to anyone, whether… read more
What Metals and Designs of Charm bracelets are there?
When picking and arranging your charm bracelet, it is highly advisable to pick the chain carefully. This is for an array of reasons. If picked responsibly, the metal of the bracelet won’t tarnish or discolour, and over time, its quality will remain intact. This also means that the bracelet will have a longer lifespan, allowing it to be able to have more charms added and subtracted over the years.
The next important step is to choose the design. One with links proves to be easier to add and subtract charms to, whereas the bangle-like bracelets might offer less of those options and might not even allow for certain charms to be replaced. You can also base your decision on the type of metal, to compliment your skin tone.
Read More: Which jewellery metal is best for my skin tone?
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