A hot trend, according to perhaps the largest search engine on the globe, is that of charmed bracelets. Wholesale jewelers have long known to keep the latest styles of these fashionable beads in stock. Women love them because they can create a bracelet, necklace, earring or other adornment that is uniquely their own. Men love them because they can buy something that has a wide price range and still look like Prince Charming even with a gift so small. The actual charm on the charm bracelets can be made from a variety of materials with gold, sterling silver and Murano glass being the most common materials used in modern charms. Birth stones, enamel, wood, diamonds and other gems are incorporated to add even more sophistication. Designs can be as simple as a smooth round bead of a singular color to more elaborate miniature statues.

Charms have long adorned our human bodies. Long ago these decorations were used as magical wards protecting us from evil or in hopes of bringing us love and more. Our ancient ancestors carved rocks, shells and molded clay into little amulets to be dangled from one’s hair or about the wrist attached to hemp or some other string. The oldest findings of beads used for adornment come from Blombos Cave in South Africa. The 41 shells have perforations and wear marks such as would be done by being used in a bracelet or necklace. These shell beads could be as much as 75,000 years old. Many charms have been found in caves and other areas where stone age and later ancestors lived. Amulets made to benefit fertility and hunting were quite commonly found made into bangles and necklaces. Continue reading So Very Charming !