The history of charms goes back as far as the Neolithic era. One of our ancient ancestors would pick up an unusual stone or piece of wood and carry it with him to ward off his enemies. Thousands of years later, elaborate jewelry made of precious stones and metals emerged during the age of the Egyptian Pharaohs, which was when the first recognizable charm bracelets and necklaces first appeared.
Charm like an Egyptian...
Ancient Egyptians lived very short lives by today's standard -- between 30 to 40 years on average. And because they had so little time on earth, they obsessively prepared for a prosperous life after death. Charm bracelets played a significant role in the preparation process. Charm wrist and neck bracelets were not only coveted as protective shields and signs of status in this life, they were also worn to help the Gods guide the wearer and his/her possessions to the proper status level in the afterlife.
Doing as the Romans did...
During the Roman Empire Christians would pull the "ichthys" (fish) charm from underneath their garments to identify themselves to other Christians to gain entry into secret, forbidden worship activities. The Jewish scholar of that same time would write passages from Jewish law on tiny slips of parchment and carefully insert the slips into a small, golden amulet that was worn around his neck. This of act reverence and piety was meant to keep the law close to the heart.
When knights were bold...
In the dark 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.
General wearing of charms began to lose favor with the wealthy classes during the Renaissance as mass produced books emerged and superstitions faded. However, charms and amulets were still widely used by people of lesser means and education. Until the early 1900s, the role of the charm remained relatively unchanged.
HRC (Her Royal Charms)...
The bracelets of Queen Victoria ignited the next big wave of charm wearing during the early 20th century. It was at this stage that charms dramatically changed purpose. They went from being practical tools to decorative fashion jewelry. Small lockets, glass beads and family crests that hung on bracelets and necklaces became all the rage.
For the Greatest Generation...
The end of WWII saw the charm jewelry fad explode. Soldiers leaving Europe and islands in the Pacific purchased little handmade trinkets to bring home to their loved ones. Native craftsmen fashioned small bits of metal into little replicas of items common to the area. Enterprising jewelers in the US quickly picked up on the trend and began creating charms for all occasions.
Chewy and Fun -- Gumball Charms...
Made of celluloid, an early plastic, there were a series of charms and little prizes that came out of gumball machines and candy boxes during the 1940s. They were collected by kids and worn on bracelets and necklaces of string and beaded dog tag chain. There were common themes -- jungle animals, sports, sailing ships, army men and pets. A number of commercial applications were produced as well, mostly from comics -- Popeye, Betty Boop, Mickey Mouse, the Seven Dwarfs, Orphan Annie are just a few examples.
The Charm Grows Up...
By the 1950s, the charm bracelet was a must-have accessory for girls and women. Major rites of passage - 16th birthdays, graduations, weddings, travel and the arrival of children - were all recorded on the links of their bracelets. Today some of these vintage bracelets sell for two to three thousand dollars at auction.
The charm bracelet began to disappear from the fashion scene during the early 1970s. Disco was in and bare gold chains became the new status symbol. But in the mid-1980s charm bracelets reappeared. New-money heirs uninterested in the old baubles of their dead relatives were liquidating huge estates. Charms that had been out of circulation for decades were showing up in antique stores and flea markets. Savvy buyers snapped them up at cheap prices.
Collecting becomes charming... The boom in collectibles in the 1990s drove a huge demand for vintage charms and charm bracelets. A gold charm costing $10 in 1950 easily commanded $70 to $80. Vintage mechanical charms were highly prized by serious collectors and often sold for over $100. Even with auction sites like eBay, prices for vintage gold charms remain strong and show no sign of decline.
In the beginning of the 21st Century, the fashion industry has again discovered the lure of the charm bracelet, and has flooded the market with new charm styles in all price ranges. Fashion giants have brought the glamour back to charm bracelets, declaring them the must-have accessory for any occasion.
Bracelets Around the World
Perhaps one of the more historically significant bracelets, the Scarab Bracelet is a recognized symbol of ancient Egypt. Representing rebirth and regeneration, carved scarabs were donned by ancient Egyptians and placed inside the linen bandages of pharaohs when they died.
In Latin America, the Azabache bracelet is recognized as a symbol which also provides protection. The gold bracelet with a black or red coral charm in the form of a fist is believed to protect the wearer from the Mal de ojo, or evil eye, which is brought about by excessive admiration. Newborn babies, especially, receive a Azabache bracelet to wear in protection against the evil eye.
Bangles are traditional bracelets worn by Pakistani and Indian women. Women wear them to denote their married status. Gold and glass bangles are especially popular with Indian women who wear one or more on each arm. Bracelets studded with semi-precious stones, diamonds and pearls are considered the most expensive.
Bracelets: Fads and Fashion
The idea of a tennis bracelet may cause some confusion. What exactly does an elegant piece of jewelry have to do with the sport? In actuality, the tennis bracelet got its name when Chris Evert, former no. 1 woman tennis player, was playing a match in the U.S. Open. Suddenly, Evert stopped the match to look for the diamond bracelet she always wore on the court, which was accidentally broken while she was playing. As Evert retrieved her bracelet, millions of onlooker at the match and on television watched the live event unfold. The incident sparked a new name for the bracelet, as well as a huge jewelry trend. Even today, tennis stars such Serena Williams and Gabriela Sabatini sport their own tennis bracelets.
Another sports star helped to spark yet another bracelet trend of his own. Lance Armstrong, record-breaking winner of the Tour de France, first wore the silicone rubber bracelet in 2004, which was called the Yellow Livestrong wristband. Launched to raise funds for cancer research for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and developed by Nike, the Livestrong wristband has raised millions of dollars and gained worldwide status.
Created from embroidery floss or thread, friendship bracelets are a version of macram? and have enjoyed popularity for decades. According to tradition, the recipient of the friendship bracelet must wear it until the cords wear and the bracelet falls off naturally. The sentiment behind the friendship bracelet is that it was made with love and hard work and should therefore be worn in such a fashion to honor the friend's effort. Patterns of friendship bracelets vary but some of the most popular styles include the bordered chevron, broken ladder and candy stripe. Because of their versatility, friendship bracelets are worn by both genders and are especially popular with tween and teenage girls, as well as hippies and dead heads, or fans of the band Grateful Dead. The friendship bracelet is also commonly worn by surfers, who prefer thicker styles that wear longer.
Bead bracelets are among the oldest human art forms, dating back to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. Bead bracelets are also a common art form with Southwestern American Indian jewelry, often designed with a predominance of turquoise. Bead making has been practiced throughout Europe and the Middle East for centuries. One of the most popular places for bead making is Venice, or more specifically Murano Island. Murano glass beads have been produced there since the 1200s and include a variety of ancient methods, such as the seed bead, Rosetta beads and Cornaline or "white heart" beads. To achieve the brilliant colors of Murano's famous beads, the glass maker must use extreme accuracy in the mixing of chemical compounds. Specific materials are required to create Murano's brilliant colored beads.
Charm bracelets originated centuries ago as amulets, or good luck charms, to ward off evil or provide strength and health to the wearer. They were made of natural gems or rocks such as lapis or quartz which were believed to have supernatural powers. From Queen Victoria to young women of the World War II era, charm bracelets were worn in honor or memory of loved ones. In the 1950s, charm bracelets became a mark of society for young girls reaching puberty. With the passing of a special event, the young woman was presented with a new charm to add to her bracelet. The idea was to create the most diverse and interesting bracelet with as many different charms as possible.
The charm bracelet is no longer to be connected to just girlish pursuits. For example, the Danish-inspired charm bracelet has taken the jewelry industry by storm. These beautiful pieces of art are anchored by their modular design which allows charms to be threaded in any fashion to suit any preference or whim. Twisting slightly with the movement of wrist creates an eye-catching effect, especially as onlookers admire charms of Murano glass, sterling silver, gold, and semi-precious stones.
Both Ann Knapp & Ron Peterson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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