The history of charm bracelets is long and this jewelry has come a long way over time. Today, companies like Gnoce provide this kind of jewelry which has seemingly endless options to alter your look. Nevertheless, each piece can have a meaning for the wearer. Read to learn about the background of this jewelry.
- What Is the Origin of Charms?
- Charms Served to Convey a Message about The Wearer’s Life
- When Did the First Charm Bracelets Come up?
- When Did Charm Bracelets Became Popular?
- The Millennium Brought a Modern Look to an Old Favorite
- Today’s Charm Bracelets Express Personal Style with Well Edited Collections
- References
Disclosure: Sponsored post.
What Is the Origin of Charms?
The origin of charms has resulted originally from superstitions. Archeological finds suggest that wearing charms dates back to at least Neolithic times. Some charms suggest that they should protect the wearer from bad luck. Hunters probably carried them for good luck. Later during war, men often carried a lock of their wife’s hair for good fortune.
Charms Served to Convey a Message about the Wearer’s Life
In the Romain Empire, charms symbolized personal believes. The first Christians, for instance, wore small fish-shaped charms to let other Christians know their religion. The reason for using a fish charm goes back to the Greek word for fish (“ichthys”). It served as an acronym for “Ἰησοῦς Χριστός, Θεοῦ Υἱός, Σωτήρ” (Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saver).
When Did the First Charm Bracelets Come up?
The oldest finds of charm bracelets, date back to the Egyptian Age. Archeologists found elaborated pieces in the tombs of the old Pharaohs among other jewelry.
Queen Victoria made charm bracelets a popular accessory in the fashion of the Victorian Era. They became luxurious Must-have fashion items among the Aristocrats and Richs.
The bracelets became again popular in the US after WWII when American soldiers brought them back for their sweethearts, wives, mothers, and daughters.
Charms of the 1950s to 1970s hung as pendants on a chain. Collecting little municipal coats of arms as souvenirs was very popular in Europe. In the Americas, girls collected Sterling silver animals, flowers, sport and hobby related pieces. People bought the charms and had them added by a jeweler. Consequently, the pieces had a permanent order on the chain.
The Millenium Brought a Modern Look to an Old Favorite
In 2000, Pandora revolutionized the history of charm bracelets. Collecting became much easier than before. Creating charms that the owner can put themselves on a robe-style bracelet permitted rearranging the order and swapping pieces to match the outfit. You could create a holiday collection, a vacation theme, Noah’s arch, fantasy animals like unicorns, you name it. It felt like opening Pandora’s box.
Today’s Charm Bracelets Express Personal Style with Well Edited Collections
As a result, people adopted the novelty fast. Now this kind of jewelry can go beyond sentimental meanings like souvenirs of places, life events, fortune. Collectors can use them to express their personal style. Today customers have various options of charms to choose from. Furthermore, meanwhile there are producers like Gnoce as an alternative for Pandora.
References
Döbler, H. (1972) Kultur und Sittengeschichte der Welt – Kleidung, Mode, Schmuck. Bertelsmann Verlag, München, Germany.
Schwartz, J., Schwartz R.N., Munkacsi, J. (2004) Charms and Charm Bracelets: The Complete Guide. Schiffer Publishing. pp.192.
Photos of charms in featured collage courtesy to Gnoce
Collage: N. Mölders
© 2013-2022 Nicole Mölders | All rights reserved
I have my mother’s charm bracelet from the 1950s-60s. It’s sterling silver with beautiful little charms that held meaning for her. Thanks for sharing the history.
Carol
scribblingboomer.com
Put them on a necklace with beads between charms for spacing them out. When you have a necklace with large chain loops you can put them on the chain directly. See my coin charm necklace in this post.
Nicole, that was a really fun read and such a cool topic to share. I used to have a Tiffany’s charm bracelet and I would collect charms from all the places I have traveled. I don’t really wear bracelets often so I sold the Tiffany’s bracelet for a decent amount (it was vintage by the time I sold it) but I did keep all the charms! I should figure out something else to do with them…maybe a necklace!
Shelbee