The charm and its related charm bracelet have a long history that dates back to prehistoric times. Whereas today’s charms may be mementos from travel outings or times spent with friends, old charms fashioned from bones and shells were a necessity for survival. In a time when natural processes were not well understood, these charms bridged the gap between nature’s wrath and man’s survival.
Inexorably linked to spirits and spiritualism, early charms were bits and pieces of larger amulets that served to ward off evil, protect against death by natural disasters and attract good fortune and luck. There is evidence that charms worn by Babylonians and Persians - between 500 BCE and 400 BCE - were made of rock crystal and featured the likenesses of gods and animals. Some charms were fashioned to look like beasts or enemies, which wearers hoped would give them power over these dangers.
Other bygone eras that favored charms included the times of the Egyptian pharaohs and the queens of the Renaissance. European aristocrats alternatively believed in the curative powers of certain charms and in their protection against evil. Ascribing supernatural powers to certain charms, members of the Medici household as well as Queen Elizabeth I would consistently wear charms on their persons.
The Victorian age also favored charms. Queen Victoria herself was said to be a big fan of these jewelry pieces. While in the beginning she may have merely loved the whimsical nature of some charm designs, she later combined charms with mourning jewelry, which had its heyday during her reign.
The subsequent great wars saw soldiers traveling the world. Bringing back little mementos was a popular practice, and charms were easy to collect and convenient to carry. Some were mailed back to sweethearts. On American shores, this is how charms became so popular among young women. In fact, this popularity became so widespread that soon small charms were sold via ubiquitous gumball vending machines. Mothers would start their daughters’ charm bracelets at birth, adding symbolic charms throughout the years as different milestone were reached.
Jewelry aficionados’ love affair with charms never really waned. Nowadays, eBay and other auction sites fulfill the desires for vintage charms and fully completed bracelets. Although these charms do not hold the same appeal for buyers as they did for the original owners of the pieces, it is clear that the practice of collecting self-contained jewelry mementos is a popular one.
Whether the wearer owns them for sentimental reasons or because of the rich history that they represent, charms continue to be so popular that even famous jewelry makers cater to consumers with their own versions of well-liked charms. Case in point is Tiffany & Co., which has created a 34-page online catalog of charms.
Located at 1137 High Ridge Road in Stamford Connecticut sits Peter Suchy Jewelers—trusted sellers of vintage and estate jewelry. If you’re looking for that perfect charm, we invite you to visit our showroom.
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