Followup question: How do charm bracelets work???

[papal]

I really like those sterling silver charm bracelets. I am just trying to convince myself that they will look good with brown skin (don't ask, i have this feeling that only gold looks good on me!).
OK, but, how do they work??? Does dh give me (haha) just the bracelet and one charm (for Leela). Does it look weird to have just one charm on??? What kind of charm should it be?? When are other charms added on???
Somebody please explain the concept!!

[amp]

Okay, I'm not terribly hip these days. The only charm bracelet I have is one my parents gave me when I was a young teen, but here goes.

I love silver on browner skin! In fact, I think I look better in my silver when I have a tan (course I'm not that tan ever, but I still think it looks better).

It is ok to wear it with one charm, but if that feels stupid, he could put two on there, or he could give it to you with one charm and you could pick out the next one. I think it's neat to get a charm each year or each special occasion (mothers day, Christmas, etc).

You can pick any dang charm you want! They have some that are baby booties, child silhouettes (sp?), actual pictures, hearts, birthstones, or anything that reminds you of you, your little one, motherhood, marriage, or whatever your hobbies or favorite things are. It can be a "mommy" bracelet of sorts, or it can just be stuff you like, KWIM?

[janeybwild]

I too am interested in charm bracelets. Mainly because my mom had one when I was growing up and I loved to play with the charms, especially the ones that did things (like open up). Just as you said, my dad bought her the basic bracelet and one charm when I was born, and then he bought her other charms throughout the years. It got to be quite heavy and very jingly! I just love the idea, and have already been hinting to my DH! I got a t-shirt last mother’s day, and in my post-partum hormone flying state, it was not pretty. Good luck!

[papal]

Thanks Andrea!! I learn a new thing every day, living in this country! heehee! First it was learning to use a soda-fountain machine, and now I have moved on to charm bracelets! :)

[amp]

Rashmi - You just crack me up! I am so glad that you are a part of this community! You make me laugh everyday!

[cinrein]

Rashmi,

I don't have a charm bracelet, but a gold chain-like bracelet my parents gave me when I lost my first pregnancy. For the first Mother's Day after our loss, DH gave me a little angel charm. We used the little links that you use on charm bracelets to attach it. For my first Mother's Day with Anna, he gave me a little girl charm. I haven't gotten around to attaching the "Anna" charm yet, so right now I'm wearing a bracelet with 1 charm. Remind me and I will show it to you---I always wear it. Most people don't even notice the charm.

I don't have silver jewelry either. Always loved gold, now I'd like some silver but it's hard. I almost need a whole collection before I can start wearing any of it! Plus I feel weird in it too, but that must be just because I don't normally wear it.

Cindy and Anna 2/11/03

[emilyf]

Just today a friend invited me to a jewelry party to order something similar to a charm bracelet. She called them Italian charm bracelets and they are flat-the charms are little rectangles that snap on but don't dangle. The party is next week so I should know more then, but she showed me hers and it is nice. They are a silverish finish, but definitely not silver (they are inexpensive). I have my mom's old traditional bracelet from the 50s, but the dangling charms are kind of annoying to wear, although they have more personality than the flat ones I think. I think you can get these new ones at jewelry stores now too. If you feel like driving up to Baltimore next Tuesday night you could come check them out! I can also find out the name of the manufacturer to see if you can see a picture online.

[babymama]

Hi Rashmi -
I've never owned a charm bracelet, but as I looked up pictures from my favorite jewelry store website to reply to your post...it made me think that this might be a good thing to ask for for mothers day.
I had lots of friends with charm bracelets in high school and college. My memory is that anyone can give you a charm and they don't have to wait for a special moment. The charm should symbolize something about you or symbolize a special memory, event, etc. WHen I was in high school, the whole thing was to load up the bracelet with charms, so not many people wore them with just one charm. When I was in college, my roommate had a a bracelet with maybe just 2or 3 charms. I really liked that look bc every charm was really meaningful.
I know it's a matter of personal taste, but I think sterling silver looks really good on brown skin. I'm a dark-skinned Latina and I mostly wear silver. Maybe it's a matter of getting used to seeing yourself in a different color???

Here are some pictures of charms I pulled from www.jamesavery.com (the first pic is the actual bracelet). THere are dozens and dozens on the site. I picked these just as a sampling of mom, love, and nature themed charms.
James Avery is a good source for high quality silver jewelry, and it's very reasonably priced. DH and I bought our wedding bands there. I think their stores are mostly in TX, but looks like you can order online and you can always order from the catalogue.
Good luck!
ETA: You can browse for other bracelets by using the jewelry search feature on the site and searching for bracelets and within bracelets selecting charm bracelets - the bracelets themselves seem to range from about $30-130. haven't checked on the price of charms yet.

Mama to Santiago, born 11/16/03

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[Kimberly H]

Rashmi, I made a charm bracelet while I was going through our adoption. As things happened, or charms caught my eye ;), I'd add charms. I have things like a scrapbook, a dog bone, a map of China, an angel, a letter "M", etc. There's one spot left which will be a frame with her referral photo in it, when I get around to it.

I plan to make one for Mia too as she grows from vacation spots and special events.

A lady I worked for a few years ago made a 14k gold charm *necklace* for her granddaughter with charms from all over the world, separated by gold balls. It was GORGEOUS and they'd taken the girl everywhere so it was stunning and pricy.

Here's link to one of my favorite sterling silver charm sites - good prices and excellent customer service: http://www.timelesscharms.com/cgi-bin/TimelessCharms.storefront

[papal]

Thanks everyone for all your input... gosh, there are SO MANY beautiful charms out there.. i am amazed!!! I really really want one now.. i like the idea of FLAT charms.. but i think Leela would enjoy JINGLY ones too.... decisions decisions! I will let you all know what i got!! Thanks again!!! You opened my eyes to a world of charms that i never knew existed! :)

[kathsmom]

Rashmi,

I have a charm bracelet that DH started for me when Katherine was about 18 months old. He got the bracelet and a girl's silhouette charm and I had it engraved with Katherine's name and birthday. I have had charms given to me for Christmas, Mother's Day, anniversary, and birthday. Currently, I have about 8 charms on my bracelet, and I love the sound it makes when the charms jingle. I purposely layer bracelets, because I love hearing them clink together (I know, I'm weird :) ). Anyway, I got my bracelet and charms at James Avery, which was recommended by a previous poster. They are so nice and helpful.

My mom bought a bangle bracelet for me from them (the Fruits of the Spirit bracelet) and I usually wear it with my charm bracelet. We even started a charm bracelet for Katherine from James Avery. She got it as a present from Andrew when he was born. It has a "Big Sister" charm on it and she added a heart and a kitty charm for her birthday.

HTH and good luck!