The charm bracelets as we know them today are a modern form of an ancient tradition that goes way back to the Stone Age.

Throughout the different Eras of Humanity the materials, the shapes and the symbolism of charms went through many changes. The first known modern like charm bracelet is from the Victorian Era (mid 1800's). It was Victoria - the queen of England - a fashion icon of her time who revived the charms fashion as she used to wear lockets containing her family photos.

A vintage Charm bracelet from the Victorian era
Photo from Schubach Enterprises, Inc

In a similar way, the modern classic charms are usually collected as presentations of different interests and significant events in our lives as well as of beloved friends and family members. They are usually collected with time and assembled on a link charm bracelet as a fashionable yet personalized jewelry. Charm bracelets carry an emotional value in it as the charms accumulate throughout the years and passes through generations. It can tell the story of a person and sometimes of a whole family by presenting different members of the family, family celebrations and special occasions such as births and weddings...

A typical Charm bracelet today

A little bit of Charm History

The first Charms, as early as the Stone Age, were made out of animal bones, clay and shells and were worn as objects of adornment. Charms were also worn as amulets which were associated with protection, spiritually and magic. During the Bronze Age jewelry making became more sophisticated and were made out of carved stone and gems which was also inscribed with small designs associated with special powers for enhancing fertility, warding off evil spirits and assuring prosperity.

Photo from Ancient Touch

Photo from © Budapesti Történeti Múzeum 2004

Different civilizations including the Babylonians, Assyrians, and Persians made and wore charms. The Babylonians are believed to be the first people to wear charms on a bracelet around 700 BC. The Egyptians were the first to develop the art of alloying gold with other metals for hardness or color variations and casting gold using a lost wax technique (which is still used today by many manufacturers). These techniques took jewelry making to a new level. Charm wrist and neck bracelets were worn as protective shields and signs of status in this life and also carried a great significance to a prosperous life after death. Beautiful patterned Jewelry was made out of precious stones and metals.

Photo from Tutankhamen Exibit

During the Roman Empire Christians used "ichthys" (fish) charm as a mean to identify themselves to other Christians. The Jewish scholar of that same time used to wear small golden pendant around their neck that contained slips of written passages from Jewish law in order to keep the law close to their hearts. Warriors have worn a variety of symbols - often religious - in the hope of gaining strength, protection and courage.

Photo from Devellion Limited 2006

In the days of the middle Ages charms and amulets were put to use by knights and kings. They were most often used with incantations to wreak havoc on the occupants of enemy castles and protect warriors in battle. Charms were also worn on belts to represent family origin, political standing and profession.

Photo from © 2007 KHI, Inc.

The Victorian Era presented the charm bracelet as a fashionable item as was inspired by Queen Victoria who used to wear lockets containing her family photos.
The machine age following the industrial revolution introduced the technology to mine precious metals and mass-produce them into affordable jewelry for the growing middle class.

Charm bracelets reached the heights of popularity in the United States after World War II. American soldiers returned home with souvenir charms from the cities they had liberated which were fashioned by Native craftsmen from small bits of metal into little replicas of items common to the locale. Jewelers in the states soon added charms of various metals, styles, and occasions to their lines.

In many families, it became customary for a young woman to be given a starter bracelet as she neared age of 13. She would then be periodically gifted additional dangling gold charms or silver charms to mark important occasions, celebrations and interests throughout her life.  Today you can find an endless selection of designs of small replicas of different objects and many representatives of different aspects of life from Zodiac signs to pets and hobbies. You can also personalize your charms to make it even more personal. This great variety allows you to document your own life journey as well as wear a fashionable piece of jewelry.