A helpful guide to Italian Charms.

What Are Italian Charms?

Ever had an English Breakfast in Spain? or a Singapore Sling in Blackburn? Well Italian charms are the same kind of thing , a product that gets it's name from the country in which originated. Created in Italy the Italian Charm concept quickly spread,  first to the West Coast of the United States, across the whole U.S. to become the worldwide must have accessory it is now.

Italian charm bracelets are regularly spotted on celebrities such as Britney Spears and other trend setters as well as being featured in fashion magazines.

Italian charms are not only fun but a stylish way to accessorize looks and express interests. Flat, stainless steel interlocking links hook together to create a unique bracelet, keychain, mobile phone strap or watch. Instead of dangling charms as seen on traditional charm bracelets, Italian charms are soldered to flat links creating a sleek and sophisticated look. Links can be easily unhooked and reconfigured or replaced to suit the wearers mood.

There are thousands of styles and designs of Italian charms to choose from. There are charms to reflect every hobby, pastime, ideaology and personality. From hand-painted enamel charms, photo charms, laser charms to licensed charms of favorite characters and logos, the possibilities are endless.

How many links are needed for a bracelet?

While Italian charms are available in small (5mm), medium (9mm), large (13mm) and mega (18mm) sizes, the standard size is the medium 9mm charm. The standard sized bracelet features eighteen links. Since the sizes are consistent across brands, different charms will always be compatible. Italian charm bracelets are adjustable, so links can be removed or added for a perfect fit.

The following size chart is a good guideline:

Child: 14 links
Youth: 16 links
Adult Small: 17 links
Adult Medium: 18 links
Adult Large: 19 links
Adult Extra Large: 20 links

Are Italian charms only for women?

Italian charms are for everyone! Kids love creating their own, and since they are durable kids can wear them daily. Men are also wearing Italian charm bracelets. More and more masculine styles have been designed and are available. Key chains and mobile phone straps are also stylish choices for men.

So, how do you get started?

Begin with a starter bracelet which consists of the standard eighteen blank links. Charms are added to the starter as they are collected, replacing blank links to create an individual look.

Who Makes them?

Popular Manufacturers are AAItaly, Zoppini, Boxing, Linx, Passavinti, ReFlorence, Puzzle, Pugster, Passavinti, Ryry, Talexia, Toscana, Amorini ,JJ Kent, Uberry and Unodomani. 

Charms are mainly manufactured in Italy and China. The better the quality control and design team of the company the better the charm. Low cost  good value alternatives to charms hand made in Italy by Jewellers are often manufactured in China under an outsourcing arrangement i.e. all design, materials sourcing and Quality Control is done by a European/U.S. based company, actual manufacture by china based factory, this arrangement allows all involved to play to their strengths.

Charms on ebay