Today when we think of charm bracelets, the first things that probably come to mind are the modular products of contemporary Italian companies like Zoppini and Unodomani. But charms and charm bracelets have a rightful place in the pantheon of fine jewelry, and there’s no better place to begin than Victorian England.
Queen Victoria wore charm bracelets during her reign, making them a popular fashion accessory among noble Europeans. Sterling silver hearts—some set with precious or semi-precious stones, some puffed up in a style called répoussé—were as popular then as they are now. Hearts with beaded edges were frequently adorned with symbols of love (Cupid’s bow and arrow) or good fortune (shamrocks). Usually one of the hearts on a bracelet would open with a key so the piece could be removed from the wearer’s wrist.
Though not charms in the strict sense, teeth and claws were also favorite Victorian adornments for bracelets. Another practice was to use a bracelet as the armature for a collect...
One of the most highly collectible types of Victorian charms is the mechanical charm. The word "mechanical" refers to any charm with a moving part, such as the legs of Can-Can dancer that kick when you push a lever, or the limbs of a jester that bend when a little chain is pulled.
At the end of the 19th century, charms of all sorts were offered to give wearers a chance to express their personalities. Ride a bicycle? There’s a bicycle charm for you. Into horses? Pick up a gold horse head with a swinging chain below it. And, of course, there were lots of lockets, into which you could put a treasured photograph or some other secret keepsake.
By the 1930s, charms and charm bracelets reflected the Art Deco design sensibility that was in the air. One stunning example that sold recently at Christie’s featured a platinum bracelet studded with diamonds, from which dangled 11 members of a gem-studded band—the straight sides of each cut stone gave the little horn players, guitarist, and other musicians an angular, ’30s look.
Some of the most collectible charms from this period are those created for fraternal organizations such as the Masons, Odd Fellows, and Elks. The Elk charms were perhaps the most interesting in that they often featured real walrus or deer teeth. Another material that you wouldn’t see used today is ivory, which was, ironically, routinely carved into the likeness of elephants.
Less controversial today are the vintage charms made out of plastics such as Bakelite and celluloid. Charms for the latter were shaped into animals (cats, alligators, monkeys, to name but a few), devils and skulls, and mythical creatures (the winged horses are especially nice). There were even charms in the shape of comic-book characters of the day, such as Orphan Annie and Moon Mullins.
One of the many companies that bounced back and forth between fine and costume jewelry was Walter Lampl. Based in New York, the firm was one of the leading producers of charms through the 1950s, when it boasted more than 750 different styles of charms in one of its catalogs.
Lampl charms were made of gold or silver and were often embellished with pearls, rubies and other stones. Lampl heart charms featured enameling and machine-made, guilloche backgrounds, while its mechanical charms were some of the most inventive around. For collectors, Lampl charms are relatively easy to identify because they are one of the few charms with a maker's mark (look for "WL" in a shield).
Indeed, the 1950s was a terrific decade for charms—if you are considering putting together a vintage charm bracelet, you might want to focus on items from that era. Lampl made 14-karat gold charms for the Marchal Company, which sold everything from charms for new moms (storks, strollers, shoes, high chairs, etc.) to charms for high-school students (report cards, school bells, pencil sharpeners, diplomas, and the like). And if that sounds too domestic, choose charms relating to nightlife, such as a lamppost holding up a drunk, an ashtray with a stubbed out cigarette, and a barrel labeled "For Emergency Only" that was designed to hold a couple of aspirin to soften the blow of the inevitable next-day hangover.
Interviews & Articles
Carole Tanenbaum on Costume Jewelry's 'Wow' Factor

My husband and I have many collections. We were in London at one point in the ’80s, and I saw a fabulous collection of vintage cos… [more]
Christie Romero on Differences Between Fine and Costume Jewelry Over the Decades

I started out with general antiques and collectibles... I was a dealer for a while and bought and sold all kinds of things. Gradua… [more]
Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)
Researching Costume Jewelry

Jewelry lovers, venture through this amazing database of vintage jewelry articles, catalogs, and brochures, as well… [read review or visit site]
All About Jewels Dictionary

This incredible reference dictionary on jewelry, from Enchantedlearning.com, is both beautiful and comprehensive. S… [read review or visit site]
Morning Glory Antiques and Jewelry

Jewelry collectors, feast your eyes on this internet gem! It's a goldmine of jewelry information featuring all styl… [read review or visit site]
Emerald City Vintage Costume Jewelry

It looks like we're not in Kansas anymore with Elizabeth Rowlands' site on vintage costume jewelry from the 1940s a… [read review or visit site]
Cathy Gordon's Jewelry Gallery

With its vast galleries featuring clear images of jewelry and style, this site really covers it all! Divided up by … [read review or visit site]
Collecting Costume Jewelry

Carol Bell's simple but informative site focuses on photographs of brooches, bracelets, pendants, and pins, with an… [read review or visit site]
Jewel History

Since March of 2007, readers of Lori Ettlinger Gross’s JewelHistory blog have been treated to her weekly (sometim… [read review or visit site]
Clubs & Associations
- American Society of Jewelry Historians
- Association for the Study of Jewelry and Related Arts
- Society of Jewellery Historians
- Costume Jewelry Collectors International
Other Great Reference Sites
Top eBay Auctions
Recent News: Charms and Charm Bracelets
Source: Google News
Young widow distraught at losing last gift from husband
This is Cornwall, June 18thA young widow is distraught after losing a charm bracelet which was the last present from her husband before he died. The silver bracelet was a Christmas gift to Zara Thomas from her husband Ryan Thomas and their daughter Maisy. Mr Thomas died while ...Read more
Adult ed offers boating, poetry, yoga classes and more
The Daily News of Newburyport, June 18thSea Glass Jewelry Workshops— Lisa Scala, designer and teacher of 20 years, offers these workshops in wired jewelry with sea glass, including making a contemporary charm bracelet, spiral earrings, a cluster ring or a sea glass pendant. Learn basic to ...Read more
Children's Museum celebrates 30th birthday with free admission for all
South Pittsburgh Reporter, June 17thMuseum Charm Bracelet partners will also be on hand to join in the fun, including book making Reading is FUNdamental Pittsburgh, a live broadcast by the Saturday Light Brigade Radio Show and acetate collages by the Warhol. For further information about ...Read more
In the closet with Chelsea Halfpenny
Express.co.uk, June 16thMy gold Michael Kors watch, which was a 21st birthday present from my aunt Jill Halfpenny, plus my Pandora charm bracelet and three silver rings that I wear every day. I'm into big statement pieces, too - I really think they make an outfit. Have you...Read more
A lucky charm? Middle Eastern symbol lures Hollywood divas
Al-Arabiya, June 16thHollywood star Gwyneth Paltrow advertises a $410 Sheryl Lowe hamsa charm bracelet on her Goop lifestyle website. Usually adorned in gems, the amulet has its “roots in Muslim and Jewish societies and is commonly found on North African and Middle ...Read more
Blues must not get suckered by Maroons
Herald Sun, June 14thJohnny Gallagher is the man responsible for keeping the weight off leading hoop Nash Rawiller, and of the two its Gallagher that looks like he fell off a charm bracelet, not the jockey. Gallagher stands a full head shorter than Rawiller. Gallagher is...Read more
Wear a charm bracelet for good luck
New Straits Times, June 10thGEORGE TOWN: FANS of jewellery from Pandora can now add more charm bracelets to their collection. The international jewellery brand known for its customisable, handcrafted charm bracelets launched its summer and pre-autumn 2013 collection recently ...Read more
PANDORA Introduces Dazzling Openwork Pave and Sparkling Stone Charms
PR Newswire (press release), May 21stThe strength of the PANDORA charm bracelet is the detailed design, the high quality and the unique threaded bracelet system (U.S. Pat. No. 7,007,507). The affordable luxury collections include customizable charm bracelets, rings, earrings, necklaces...Read more
Vintage Guru Reveals Her Glamour Secrets
The Killer Mobile Device for Victorian Women
Gloriously Grotesque 19th-Century Pipes
The Beautiful Chaos of Improvisational Quilts
Our Dad, the Water Witch of Wyoming
This 1959 Goggomobil Is Insanely Cute and Gets 55 MPG. Why Can’t Detroit Do That?
California Cool: How the Wetsuit Became the Surfer's Second Skin
The Unfiltered History of Rolling Papers, Plus Tommy Chong's Big Fat Jamaican Vacation
World's Smallest Museum Finds the Wonder in Everyday Objects
Fightin’ Femmes: Unmasking Female Superheroes with Author Mike Madrid

by 

by 