Recent History of Charms

I love charms. I think they really add personality and individuality to a piece of jewelry. I have looked into the recent history of charms and thought I would share. Quite interesting…

Charms have been around since the very beginning of recorded history. Ancient man wore teeth and shells as adornments. The Egyptians used them to ward off bad spirits. However, the recent history of charms as we know them today began in the early 20th century. It was Queen Victoria who made charms a highly sort after fashion item. She wore small lockets containing family portraits, jewels and even locks of her beloved husband’s hair in charms on her bracelets.

Charm bracelets had their first peak of popularity in the United States after World War II. American soldiers returned home from Europe and the islands in the Pacific with souvenir charms for their sweethearts, wives and mothers. They had picked up trinkets made by native craftsmen representing items common to the particular area where they had been stationed. Jewelers quickly picked up on the trend and began to create charms for all occasions.

Today, charms are as popular as ever. Charms represent the wearer’s personality and special interests, such as pets, hobbies, career, or beliefs. They have a unique ability to commemorate special life events – births, weddings, graduations – and become a gift that can be added to over the course of a person’s life. Since they don’t tarnish, sterling silver charms like the ones I use at Beaded Royalty, many times become cherished family heirlooms when passed down from mother to daughter to granddaughter.

The fashion industry has even discovered the lure of the charm bracelet, flooding the market with new charm styles. Fashion leaders like Louis Vuitton have declared them the must-have accessory for any occasion. If the most recent history is any indication, it looks like charms will be in style for quite sometime.