A charm bracelet represents a legacy; it is the story of a life, as told by the one who first wore it. Each charm represents a significant piece of a story. Although charms were collected and used as early as the Neolithic era it was during the age of the Egyptian Pharaohs that the charm bracelet was birthed. Known for their famous way of marking the afterlife the Egyptians created the charm bracelet for their afterlife journeys and each charm was used to help guide or id the status level of the one journeying. The next time the charm bracelet was seen in history was during the reign of Queen Victoria. The magnificence of the era can still be seen today as charm bracelets became decorative fashion jewelry, made of lockets, glass beads, and family crests. The charm bracelet was most popular though following WWII. During this time soldiers would buy the charms during their travels and bring them home to their family members as trinkets that marked the soldiers’ journeys and the special occasions of the ones they loved.

MATERIALS:

Charm bracelets have been made from many materials throughout history. During the Neolithic Era charms were made of stone and wood to ward off evil spirits. As time moved on and more resources were revealed and the purpose of the charm bracelets shifted from warding off evil spirits to an identification of social status and an expression of frivolity among the fashion world the materials changed. Vintage charm bracelets can be made of scrap metal (WWII), celluloid (1940), glass beads and lockets (Queen Victoria’s reign). The beauty of the charm bracelet lies not in the material in which it is made but in the story of each individual charm. Charm bracelets today are made of silver, gold, and beads made of colored glass or even expensive stones.

SYMBOLS:

Some of the earliest symbols used in charms are associated most frequently with the early Christian church. The early Christians created a charm with the fish on it to identify themselves to one another during persecution. The Jewish scholars wore charms that were able to hold inserts of paper on which they had inscribed the law and could wear it close to their heart. During the middle Ages the charms were symbols that were indicative of political standing, family origin, and profession. Today there are a variety of symbols used in the making of the charms. When shopping for a charm bracelet it is easiest to shop by category. Several sights divide their charms into categories of theme rather than materials. Some of the theme categories one can choose from when buying charms for the charm bracelet are animals, flowers, sports, fashion, shapes and design, and even romance and love.

VALUE:

Because of the legacy of the charm bracelet a vintage charm bracelet today auctions off for two to three thousand dollars. The story each individual charm tells on the charm bracelet is truly priceless. To the military couple who spends their first few years of marriage in Europe or some other foreign location these charms on the charm bracelet will tell the story to their first child of the early years of marriage and their travels. Each charm will reflect a part of the family’s history as well as the history of the military mission and the country they served. The heirloom potential of the charm bracelet is what continues to push the value of the charm bracelet throughout the years.

ETIQUETTE:

Charm bracelets today are not only storytellers they also serve as a fashion tree for necklace accessories. The holidays, anniversaries, children’s firsts, and so many other events provide wonderful opportunities for charm bracelets to be worn. Family gatherings are events created for storytelling and there is no better storyteller than the charm bracelet.

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