Archive for Charms
Antique and Vintage Charms
Posted by: | CommentsCharms have been worn and collected throughout history right from the ancients up until today. Antique and vintage charms can be found in all shapes and forms and are made of a multitude of different materials. They are also called amulets or fobs ( perhaps a little larger than the average charm). Charms are often worn on bracelets but are equally suited to being worn on a necklace, brooch or an antique watch chain. Victorian ladies sometime wore them suspended from their Chatelaines and why not wear a pair of matching charms as earrings?
If you are looking to purchase a charm or charm bracelet today you have a wide choice. There is always the simple option of buying a new piece however you will find that these do not generally have the quality of a vintage or antique charm, you are more likely to see another person wearing the exact same charm and you will pay more for the equivalent piece if it is new. Buying vintage or antique charms also comes with a history attached to them which adds to their sentimental value.
Traditionally a charm bracelet was bought blank or with just one charm attached and the lucky wearer was given or purchased an additional charm to mark significant events in her life until there were thirteen charms in all. Most charm collectors could not stop at the traditional number thirteen and many bracelets are seen much fuller than this. A young girl could be given a silver cat or horse to signify her favourite pets. A girl passing a ballet exam might be given a ballerina, a key for her 18th birthday, an “I love you spinner” from her first boyfriend and a crystal studded ring in a box upon her engagement. When she got married a bible and an opening church charm would be added to the bracelet and a stork on the birth of her first child. Travel was also marked with an aeroplane, boat or a silver and enamel shield from each place visited. Some people made up charm bracelets along a particular theme.
Interesting ones I have seen are the signs of the Zodiac, buildings of London, breeds of dog or puffed heart charms. Some just collect opening or articulared charms or charms set with crystals. It is also possible to collect by charm manufacturer such and Nuvo charms or Chim charms AntiquesAvenue offers you what is probably the best selection of vintage silver charm bracelets on the Internet. These are all genuine vintage items which come as they were made up over 30 or more years ago. There are some wonderful antique charms, and a wide range of vintage silver charms of all shapes, sizes and makers.
Dont forget costume jewellery charms too if you want a change from silver. Gold charms are much rares than silver charms and more expensive. Normally I would recommend that you collect either gold or silver or costume jewellery charms each on a separate charm bracelet – mixing these materials may well lead to a disproportional amount of wear to the softer charms. Please remember that whatever type of vintage or antiuqe charm you collect I am happy to help you with your selection and send additional photographs if required.
How to add a charm to a charm bracelet
Posted by: | CommentsThis week is charm week on AntiquesAvenue and I’ve made a video on how to add a Charm to your bracelet.
You need: One charm, one bracelet, one O ring and two pairs of pliers. Here’s how its done (sorry about the quality this was sooo difficult to make!):
Care of your vintage siver charm bracelet
Posted by: | CommentsFrom my postbag:
How do I clean my vintage silver charm bracelet?
My reply:
Many people prefer to leave their charm bracelets to acquire a vintage silver patina and do not clean them unless they are exceptionally dirty.
Should you decide that yours needs a clean here are a few things to think about:
- Is it plain silver or do some of the charms have other materials in them?
Have you looked inside all the charms? Some like a passport or bible may have paper pages inside which could get damaged in the cleaning process. The same applies to ” Mad money” Others may be set with tiny stones which would come loose if they become wet . Painted charm may loose their colour and ones where the detail is behind glass will discolour . Enamel travel shields should also be treated very gently. If you are determined to clean your bracelet these charms must be removed first. Just snip through the O ring with a pair of pliers and twist the ends apart. Save the O ring and you can re-add your charm later
Cleaning your plain silver charm bracelet
Once all the charms with non silver detail have been removed you can now clean you bracelet as if it was plain silver. Personally I use an ultra sonic machine with just a tiny drop of non-citrus washing up liquid in the water. You can use a silver cleaner which you buy from the supermarket – follow their instructions and wash the bracelet under the tap afterwards.
I do not recommend silver dipping unless it is as a last resort – your bracelet will just be too shiny and will look new rather than vintage.
Dry your bracelet with a lint free cloth. You may like to take this opportunity to check that all the O rings are secure.
Now any removed charms can be re-attached to your bracelet
Please follow a general rule when considering cleaning your charm bracelet – gently does it.
How do I add a charm to a vintage charm bracelet?
Posted by: | Comments
- add charm to bracelet
From my Postbag:
I’m interested in one of your vintage silver charms, the helter skelter, it would be the 1st charm i have bought to add to a bracelet from a relative to excuse daft question, but how will the charm attach does’nt it need a ring on the top of the charm to be attached by the jeweller? is one supplied, are they easily bought?
My Reply:
Excellent question. Whilst you can get a Jewellery to help with adding charms to your vintage charm bracelet this is something you can also undertake yourself relatively easily. Here is a brief guide;
You need – your charm, your bracelet, an O ring, two pairs of nose pliers.
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Charm School – guide to vintage charms
Posted by: | CommentsThis is AntiquesAvenue’s guide to charms where I will be collecting all my charm articles together.
Antique charms , vintage and contemporary designer charms. Silver, gold and costume jewellery charms including enamel travel shields- completely charming
Charms for sale
Vintage Charms:
- Chim Charms
- Vintage Charm Bracelets
- Gold Charms
- Nuvo Charms
- Enamel Travel Shields
- Costume Jewellery Charms
- Vintage Silver Charms
Charm School – about charms
Anatomy of a Vintage Charm Bracelet
Posted by: | CommentsVintage charm bracelets were often constructed to a formula. Want to know more?
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