A short guide to the history of Charms and Charm Bracelets

By Creevelia Fine Jewellery Creevelia Fine Jewellery Shop

A charm bracelet is an item of jewellery worn around the wrist. It carries personal charms: decorative pendants or trinkets which are signifiers of important things in the wearer's life.

The wearing of charms may have begun as a form of amulet to ward off evil spirits or bad luck.
Charms are known to go back as far as the Neolithic era (7000B BC) where man would find an unusual stone or piece of wood and carry it with him to help protect him from his enemies.

During the time of the Egyptian Pharaohs, elaborate jewellery made of precious metals and gemstones were created. The first recognizable charm bracelets appeared during this time.
The Ancient Egyptians believed that malevolent forces were all around them, they could take the form of dangerous animals, illness, pestilence, natural disasters or known enemies. To ward off and protect themselves against these forces, ancient Egyptians wore amulets or charms, around their necks, ankles, wrists.

The lives of the people of ancient Egypt were short by today's standards - 30 to 40 years was average. As their time on earth was so short, they fervently believed in the afterlife and a great deal of effort was spent on preparing for their prosperity on leaving this life.
Charm bracelets played a significant role in the preparation process.

Charms or amulets were worn from birth through death, the precious stones and metals used to create the charms were just as important as the images they represented. The power of the gem coupled with the symbolism on the amulet gave powerful protection against harm and evil both on earth and in the future afterlife. In order to give an amulet its power, it had to be created in strict accordance with instructions contained in the Book of the Dead. This would then allow the god’s spirit to live within and energise the amulet. The owner of this powerful sacred amulet would treat it with with respect in order for the god to continue bestowing his protection upon the wearer.

At the time of the Roman Empire, Christians would hide fish charms under their garments which would be shown to identify themselves to fellow Christians and gain entry into secret places of  Christian worship (Early Christians used the fish as a sign of their religion).  At around the same time, Jewish scholars wore amulets around their necks, made from gold and filled with inscriptions of Jewish Law. This of act reverence and piety was meant to keep the law close to the heart.

In the middle Ages, Royalty and soldiers wore charms and amulets with incantations to protect them in battle. They were also worn on belts by the men of this period to identify their family, social status and profession.
 
With the dawning of the Renaissance era, the educated peoples of Europe became less superstitious and stopped wearing charms. The rest of the population, however, continued their age-old traditions, and the charm maintained its special role until the late 19th Century.  It then began to change its function from providing mystical protection to that of a decorative piece of jewellery.

Queen Victoria can be credited with popularising the fashion for charm bracelets, with her love of elegant and elaborate jewellery, including charm bracelets. During the 1890s and early 1900s, lockets, family crests, and glass beads were placed on bracelets and necklaces. Small lockets with family portraits or locks of were also very fashionable

The modern charm bracelet evolved after World War II, with returning American soldiers having purchasing  local souvenirs and trinkets  for their  loved ones during their travels in Europe, Asia and the Pacific.

Todays charm bracelet is used by the wearer to reflect their personality and their interests.  Many wearers use charms to celebrate their significant life events, such as marriage, anniversaries and parenting.

However, the old fashioned charms associated with luck and happiness are still as popular as ever!!!