Since the beginning of recorded history and possibly even before charms have been an important part of social and religious culture. What began as a means to capture the gods and bring fortune and good luck are now a means to cherish and remember important events in a woman's life.
Charms in Ancient Culture
Over 75,000 years ago stone-age people used shells to make bracelets and necklaces. Just 30,000 years ago small ivory figures were made from mammoth tusks and probably adorned the body. As time and technology progressed charms and charm bracelets become more elaborate.
Between 500-400 BC cultures all over Mesopotamia were wearing charms as decoration (jewelry). These charms were made of gems, crystals and lapis lazuli. Most had some religious connotation and were formed in the shapes of animals and gods. Special powers were attributed to these charms.
Charm in the Victorian Era
Prior to the industrial revolution silver charms were made by hand and only affordable by the aristocratic rich and affluent. These charms were very expensive and could take weeks or months to mold and sculpt. The invention of machinery allowed these charms to be mass-produced. As a result they were available to everyone and became quite affordable.
Queen Victoria was known to wear her charm bracelets with locket charms, which contained portraits of her family and locks of their hair. The charms were especially elaborate and carefully crafted and this is where many of the silver vintage style heart charms get their vintage and historical design from. They are actual replicas of the Victorian era charms.
World War II Charms
Silver charm bracelets became all the rage during World War II when women, sending their soldiers off to war, wanted a piece of jewelry to remember them by. In turn the soldiers would return home to their wives and girlfriends with charms from far away cities they had visited or liberated during their fighting. These silver charms became a lasting memory and keepsake of a bloody and frightening time in history and contain memories of frightful times and euphoric reunions.
Charm Bracelets Today
Silver charm bracelets are quite popular today and have become somewhat of a tradition. A woman should receive a charm bracelet twice in her life. Usually a mother will give her daughter a charm bracelet when she is quite young to build with her life's experiences through adulthood. Usually this bracelet contains charms that represent religious beliefs, favorite hobbies or milestones. The second time a woman receives a charm bracelet is traditionally when she marries. Usually this bracelet contains one or two silver charms signifying the marriage. As anniversaries go by and children are born more charms are added to celebrate and commemorate these events.
The newest fad is the wearing charms as necklaces. Silver pendant charms are especially popular to commemorate once in a lifetime events such as a daughter's graduation, a wedding or the achievement of a major career goal. While these charms are often worn as necklaces, many are attached to delicately decorated hangar pins and worn as brooches. These unique pieces of jewelry are becoming more popular as they are very unique and really standout. These attention getters are especially popular amongst teens and young adults.
