Charm Bracelet Holds Universal and Sentimental Appeal

When it comes to females of any age, perhaps one of the most enduring jewelry choices with sentimental appeal is the charm bracelet. Long revered for its symbolism and beauty, charm bracelets have transformed through the decades - not only keeping up with the current styles, but also forging new trends in jewelry.

When the classic charm bracelet comes to mind, we most often think of dangling jewelry charms made of sterling silver worn by our grandmothers in the 1950s. This was a defining decade for the charm bracelet. On the heels of World War II, many soldiers presented their sweethearts with jewelry charms representing the European cities the U.S. had helped liberate.

This trend gave way to the design of jewelry charms meant for young girls, just coming of age. The charm bracelet represented the hobbies and interests of a blossoming teenaged girl. As she reached womanhood, charms were added to the bracelet for hallmark occasions, such as a marriage or the birth of a child. Charm bracelets of the 1950s became a kind of status symbol for the burgeoning middle class and the symbolic life events which transformed a girl into a woman.

Nearly anyone can recall the "best friend" jewelry necklaces that represented two sides of one heart with the words "Best" inscribed on one half of the heart and "Friends" inscribed on the other. Placed together, they formed a perfect heart. This same sentiment of friendship is expressed in the popular Italian-designed charm bracelets that offer the words "Best" and "Friend" on their charms which snap into the body of the bracelet, rather than dangle from it.

Charm bracelets have also served as a perfect gift exchange between friends. Sometimes two friends might exchange or purchase a charm for one another's bracelet. Other times, a woman might present a friend with a charm bracelet of her very own, perhaps for a birthday, which can be added to with the passing of other significant life occasions.

One group of close friends began presenting one another with charm bracelets when a member of the group moved away. Each friend chose a special charm representing her interest or hobby. For example, the friend who loved to bake chose a sterling silver rolling pin. Another selected a tea pot symbolizing her love for the beverage. A third picked out a musical note expressing her love for music. Assembled together, the charm bracelet gave the friend who was relocating a tangible and sentimental reminder of her friends' love and support.

Today's charm bracelets have really come of age; no longer to be confused with just girlish pursuits. For instance, the Danish-inspired charm bracelets which have taken the industry by storm, are beautiful pieces of art that are stylish and unique. The bracelet's modular design allows charms to be threaded in any fashion to suit a woman's whim or preference. Twisting slightly with the movement of wrist creates an eye-catching effect, especially as onlookers admire jewelry charms like Murano glass charms, sterling silver charms, gold charms, and semi-precious stones.

Jewelry necklaces and rings are also available to wear with the bracelets, creating a stunning look. But just as soon as a woman changes her mind (because that's what we do best), she can rearrange her charms to create a totally new look. Charms can be chosen which represent the birth months of her family members, a special message of love or hope, or a "just because" charm in her favorite color. Some women choose charms in sterling silver or gold only. Others create colorful combinations to match their favorite outfits.