Charms, Amulets and Pendants
Serling silver or gold charms are a great gift for most anyone because they preserve the memories of special moments and events. As a charm bracelet grows with each addition, it comes to represent the wearer's unique life story. Charms may also be worn on necklaces. Times may change, but the practice of collecting and wearing charms and amulets continue to this day.
 Some reasons to buy charms include:
Life events (birth, religious occasions, school, birthdays, anniversaries, engagement, wedding, baby)
Photos of loved ones
Travel
Hobbies and interests
Sports
Careers
Good luck and protection
As early as 5,000 B.C. amulets were carried for protection from evil forces and for good luck. In prehistoric times, amulets were made from shells, animal-bones and clay for protection and good luck. Later, spiritual and religious charms came to be worn for protection and revered guidance. Queen Victoria was the first to make charms a fashion statement when she had a bracelet fashioned with lockets contining photos of her family. Victorian England embraced the wearing of charms, and upper class-Europeans decided that charms were essential for wear as more elegant and elaborate jewelry became fashionable.
 The modern-day popularity of wearing charms boomed during WWI and WWII. According to Joyce Jonas, president of the American Society of Jewelry Historians, "Charm bracelets were the most popular in the U.S. in the 1940s and 1950s. Soldiers often picked up charms from every city they visited. The fashion trend itself continued into times of peace." Charm bracelets were the number one gift request of girls and women. Typically a charm bracelet was tarted for a young girl, and she was given additional charms as gifts to mark special occasions, hobbies, travel and interests as she grew into womanhood.
By the 1970s, charm bracelets were worn by all social circles. Although interest in wearing charms declined toward the end of the 20th century, there was a resurgence of interest in the 21st century as people collected vintage charms. Hollywood and the music world also set the trends: the entertainer Madonna made religious charms popular once again, and the Pirates of the Caribbean movie series made the wearing of pirate-related charms (skulls, crosses and swords) popular. Thanks to advanced jewelrymaking techniques, the selection of charms today is vast and personalized. Most any topic - from zodiac signs, to favored pets, to symbols of technology can be fashioned in silver or gold. Photos and engraving further personalize charms. But a sentimental favorite still remains charms which contain photos.
Gifts of charms are a wonderful choice for young and old because they are a timeless keepsake which preserves the memory of special moments and events. They make terrific gifts for coaches, teachers, mentors, and friends. Travel charms can evoke memories of wonderful vacations and journeys. As more charms are added, a charm bracelet or necklace represents a personalized life story.
Another type of charm or pendant available is a memorial pendant or ash holder. These are available for any loved ones and for pets. We'll be featuring some memorial jewelery on our website soon. For now, please call our store to discuss what you have in mind and we'll be happy to help you.
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