Charm Bracelets

Although charm bracelets have been dated back to the time of the Egyptian Pharaohs, it was only fairly recently that they experienced a major resurgence in popularity. At the end of WWII, soldiers returning home to their families and loved ones from foreign lands wanted to bring back a little something to commemorate their experiences. Tiny handcrafted trinkets from local artisans were fashioned into charms and worn on a bracelet or necklace, starting a huge fashion trend.

In France, circa 1920, there were certain charms that held very distinct meanings. An elephant meant happiness or "Felicite"; the number 13 was a potent symbol for luck or "gambler's luck"; a four-leaf clover (Bonheur) also meant luck, and a pig represented prosperity. Today, charm bracelets are markers of high fashion, with designers such as Louis Vitton jumping on the bandwagon, and Italian Charm bracelets have exploded onto the market.

How do Italian Charm Bracelets Work?
It's easy! Buy a base bracelet (formed from a strip of 14 stainless steel links). Most women will need a total of 18-19 links and men will need a total of 20 links to form a bracelet that will fit comfortably. For children the sizes run 5 1/4 to 5 3/4 inches in length, which is approximately 14 to 15 links. Along with your starter bracelet, you will need to purchase between 5 and 7 additional links to to make your bracelet complete.

Now here comes the fun part! Choose from thousands of charms bearing different motifs and create your very own personalized bracelet. You can personalize it as much as you want by leaving plain starter links on or removing them to add personalized charms. Most Italian charms are interchangeable and can be purchased from several companies including: Nomination charms, Zoppini Italian charms, AA Italy, and more.