| |
| |
|
Fashion & Style Information |
|
|
|
History of Charm Bracelets
The custom of wearing charm bracelets dates back thousands of years, and though the materials and designs on them have changed, the concept itself has never gone out of style. This form of jewelry initially had a religous function, and dates back to the prehistoric era. According to Elizabeth Florence, president of the Jewelry Information Center, "The first charm bracelets were probably worn by the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians and Hittites from 500 to 400 B.C. Those charms were made of lapis lazuli, rock crystal and other gems and were inscribed with small designs, such as figures of gods, man and animals. They were immediately associated with special powers." As time passed, charms lost their protective spiritual functions and became fashion jewelry. The 1890's saw a renaissance of charms, especially in Victorian England, where elaborate and intricate jewelry was in vogue. Queen Victoria helped popularize the trend by wearing a charm bracelet of small lockets holding family portraits. WW II caused another revival of charm bracelets in America in the 1940's and 1950's, as soldiers stationed abroad picked up charms as souvenirs in the European cities they visited and brought them home for wives and girlfriends. The fashion trend continued well into peacetime. Charms still remain a popular jewelry item, as personalized keepsakes in an increasingly mass-produced jewelry market. Popular themes include horoscope signs, birthstone charms, travel souvenirs, and family keepsakes. Many women start collecting charms when they are children, and the charm bracelet grows along with them, reflecting hobbies and personal experience. A charm bracelet can hold a small replica of a graduation cap, wedding bells, or lockets with children's photos. Charms are also a popular gift because of their affordable price. An intricate silver charm can be obtained for less than ten dollars, though it is possible to spend hundreds of dollars on a charm made of 18K and set with gems. Italian charms, a genre in and of themselves, do not dangle from a chain like traditional charms. Instead, they are soldered onto flat links which snap onto an extensible bracelet. They are embellished with letters, symbols, pictures or stones, or have enamel pictures painted on them. Charms can be snapped on and off these modular bracelets to create new configurations to match different moods and outfits. They are traditionally made of stainless steel or 18k gold. Italian charms are of the same standard size and the resulting bracelet can be customized to fit every wrist; a small size holds 17 or less links, a medium 18, and a large 19 or more. There are different companies which produce Italian charms, but all brands can be interchanged on the same bracelet. The basic "starter" bracelet of blank links costs approximately five dollars, and the charms cost fifteen dollars and up. China also manufactures Italian charms, and while these are popular (and, as with most Chinese goods, very competitively priced), some consumers report occasional oddities such as reversed images and poor fit. Frank Vanderlugt
MORE RESOURCES:
Fashion-Style - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Tips in Choosing the Right Kind of Sunglasses Today, sunglasses have become everyone's bestfriend. We never leave home without them. Casual Dressing: What to Wear Is your casual wardrobe working for you? Dressing casually does not mean that you have to dress down or wear scrubby clothes, nor does it mean that you have to work really hard pulling it all together. It does mean however that some thought has to be put into it such as starting with a base (pants, top and sweater/jacket) in a neutral color and then adding pieces. Body Art There are several forms of body art. Body art can be temporary, for example, body painting, or permanent, such as shaping, dyeing, and scarification, tattooing, and piercing. Earrings Are A Fashion Statement! Earrings are an important part of every woman's wardrobe, whether we are headed for a day at the beach, to the office, or to a wedding. Your earrings give a subtle hint about your personality. Fashion Trends for Fall 2005 The overall theme of fashion for Fall 2005 is an air of drama. Black is back, coats are dramatic, and smart tailoring is going to be huge. The Secret to having these Ten Pairs of Shoes Whether you love shoes or not, there are ten shoes every woman should have.Did you know there are actually only a basic 8 shoe designs and every style of shoe out there are a variation of 1 of these 8 shoe designs. Guess Handbags Are A Popular Fashion Accessory! Guess is a widely recognized brand name that most people associate with clothing. But Guess handbags have made their way to the forefront with the creation of many stylish and unique designs. The Perfect Swimsuit For You Shopping for and buying a swimsuit or bikini can be one of the worst, most depressing experiences for women. Contrary to what fashion magazines would suggest, not all women wear size four clothing and can easily slip into a sexy, thong bikini. Take Advantage of Hot Weather Before It Ends - A Swimsuit For Your Body! Instead of sitting indoors in the air conditioning, get outside and enjoy the fresh air - take advantage of the beautiful summer days before they are all gone! A day trip to the beach is the perfect solution.If you are heading to the beach to get away from it all or to socialize with a group of friends, there is a swimsuit for you and the occasion. An Introduction to Lapel Pins Lapel pins are not just jewelry; they are a way to show off a wearer's passion, affiliation, hobby or travels. Many people collect and trade lapel pins with a fervor usually reserved for rookie baseball cards. Lipstik Clothing Is At The Top When It Comes To Fashion Forward Childrens Designs If you have a little girl, you will absolutely love clothing by Lipstik. This trendy designer clothing line is geared towards the feminine styles that little girls love. The Mindful Shopper: Learning From Your Trendy Mistakes Are you a fashion trend-watcher?Do you spend a lot of time flipping through magazines and analyzing the wardrobe choices of others? Do you buy trendy items only to despise them-and yourself-later?Trend-watching-and, more precisely, observing our trend-watching-gives us tremendous opportunities to create awareness of the traits we hope we have but are not sure we do. In fact, being frustrated, embarrassed, or depressed that we have succumbed to a trend is a perfect chance to discover what we value most. Jewelry Gifts When it is time for a gift for someone, nothing makes a person's eyes sparkle more than receiving jewelry. It's a great gift for young and old, women and men, boys and girls. Find Your Style Of Reading Glasses To Show Off Your Sense Of Fashion Reading glasses or readers have evolved from those old black granny glasses of the past. Today's reading glasses offer style and glamour making them as fashionable as they are functional. Beyond Gold and Platinum: Mokume Gane In many ways the "ultimate" noble metal that one might consider for jewelry isn't gold or platinum but their slightly tan colored cousin iridium. With the possible exception of osmium (which is smelly and toxic) it's the rarest non-radioactive element in the earth's crust -- several times more so than either gold or platinum. Nina Ricci - How She Came to be A Top Designer In 1883 in Turin, Italy Maria Nielli was born. In 1895 when Maria was 12, her family moved to France. Forget the Tie - 5 Unique Fathers Day Gift Ideas Father's Day is just around the corner. Here are some gift ideas sure to put a smile on dad's face. Vintage Costume Jewellery Sparkles Again Men and women have worn costume jewellery since the Romans developed the ability to cut glass imitations of precious gemstones. Jewellery was worn to enhance appearance, display wealth and affirm love, friendship and loyalty. Flattering Swimwear for Everyone - Yes, Even YOU! "There are so many styles of swimwear to choose from, especially if you are a women. With more options than ever, all women regardless of size or shape, can feel stylish wearing swimwear at the pool or on the beach this season. Rabbit Jewelry: A Sign of Refinement There is a certain delight that comes with the sight of rabbit jewelry. The motif is cute and cuddly, and the person wearing it may often be seen as fun to be with, whimsical and affectionate.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
