You’re Never Too Old for a Charm Bracelet

Charm bracelets were the mainstay of every young woman’s jewelry collection growing up. But after awhile, they fell out of favor, and were rarely seen again. Recently, though, thanks to the "retro" movement and involvement of some big name jewelry designers, the charm bracelet is making a comeback, and it isn’t just for little girls anymore.



Charm bracelets have taken on a new persona, and are as much about making a personal statement as they are about wearing fashion jewelry. Metal charms are still available and still popular, but the intricacy level has gone up dramatically thanks to laser etching. Charms come enameled, made from glass beads, or metal blocks with the "charm" drawn on the side. Depending on the metal, intricacy, and size, you can spend from tens of dollars to hundreds of dollars on a single charm. If you think you’d like to revisit your youth or jump into modern-day style with a charm bracelet, here are few things to consider.



First, think in advance about how you want your charm bracelet to look as a jewelry item and what you want it to say about you. Will it be a continuously-evolving piece, or a collection of the things you loved growing up? Will it be modern and stylish with large metal or wood blocks and glass beads to symbolize events, or will it be traditional with small metal figures hung around it? Is it a jewelry store bonanza piece, or a nostalgic this-and-that bracelet?



Once you’ve selected your theme, it will be much easier to find the bracelet you want to start it on. Usually, if you’re going for a designer-style bracelet, there is usually already an assortment of chains and ropes to choose from to fit the charms. If you’re starting from scratch though, you’ll need to pay a little more attention. Know what it’s made from. Cheap metal may be stronger, but it may also turn your wrist green. Something too dainty or too soft (like 18K gold) may not stand up to the rigors of your daily life. Determine how you will add charms to the bracelet. Also important is to make sure the clasp is solid and reliable.



Now the fun part begins. Selecting and hanging your charms. You can buy a bunch at once, or start out with a couple and add as you can afford to. You can find a jewelry store that has a wide selection of charms and buy them all from one store so your charm bracelet looks uniform, or you can mix it up and buy charms of different sizes, shapes, and materials. Most importantly, you want your charm bracelet to reflect you. Regardless of the style or type of bracelet, or what’s hanging from it, each charm should mean something special to you, and evoke a feeling in you that carries you back to that special event. Otherwise, it’s just a dangly piece of jewelry.



You can find the full article about choosing the best charm bracelets and much more jewelry advice and information at Jewelrista.com