If you want to commemorate a special occasion, a great way to do this is with a charm. These are small metal items that are available in many different precious metals including silver and gold. If you want to start a collection of these items, there are a few things that you should consider when buying sterling silver charms. Using these tips will help you find quality charms at the best price possible.
In the past, the phrase "charm bracelet" meant one item and one item only. This was a bracelet with links that could be opened and small metal images were added. The links were often soldered shut afterwards to keep the charm securely in place. Newer bracelets use decorated beads instead. These can slide along a metal or leather bracelet and remain securely attached no matter what you are doing with your bracelet on.
You may want to look at both kinds of bracelets. There are benefits and drawbacks to each kind. The beads can be heavy but they are often sturdier than light metal charms would be. You may find that you will need to remove and add beads as your collection grows since most bracelets cannot hold as many beads as they can simple charms. By narrowing down which version you want you will save time and money when you start shopping.
If you know which kind of charm you want, you can then begin your search. Once you start looking it will be easy for you to be overwhelmed by the wide range of options that are available. One way to make the selection process easier is to think about what event or item you want to commemorate. Some popular choices include the birth of a child, a significant milestone in your relationship or even a trip or other fun event.
When choosing your items look for ones that are stamped or marked to show their metal content. If you are buying from a website or a catalog it may be harder to tell whether the items have been stamped this way or not. At that point, it is important to deal with a reputable store or website so that you can be reasonably sure you are getting precious metal rather than a cheap knock off.
You should also make sure that the bale that holds the charm onto the bracelet is sturdy. Make sure that it is soldered closed rather than simply bent shut. This is especially important when you are purchasing individual items that are heavy as over time, the charm's weight may actually pull it down and cause the link to open.
You can find these items both on websites and in jewelry stores. If you do not want the bead versions of these items you may need to order through a catalog or spend a little extra time searching. This is because many jewelry stores have switched over to the beads due to their current popularity.
Caring for your bracelet is as important as picking them out. As this can be a significant financial investment, you will want to make sure that the piece is kept as beautiful as possible for as long as possible. Cleaning them with a soft cloth and checking for stretching or scratching doesn't have to take a long time but it can be well worth your while.
In the past, the phrase "charm bracelet" meant one item and one item only. This was a bracelet with links that could be opened and small metal images were added. The links were often soldered shut afterwards to keep the charm securely in place. Newer bracelets use decorated beads instead. These can slide along a metal or leather bracelet and remain securely attached no matter what you are doing with your bracelet on.
You may want to look at both kinds of bracelets. There are benefits and drawbacks to each kind. The beads can be heavy but they are often sturdier than light metal charms would be. You may find that you will need to remove and add beads as your collection grows since most bracelets cannot hold as many beads as they can simple charms. By narrowing down which version you want you will save time and money when you start shopping.
If you know which kind of charm you want, you can then begin your search. Once you start looking it will be easy for you to be overwhelmed by the wide range of options that are available. One way to make the selection process easier is to think about what event or item you want to commemorate. Some popular choices include the birth of a child, a significant milestone in your relationship or even a trip or other fun event.
When choosing your items look for ones that are stamped or marked to show their metal content. If you are buying from a website or a catalog it may be harder to tell whether the items have been stamped this way or not. At that point, it is important to deal with a reputable store or website so that you can be reasonably sure you are getting precious metal rather than a cheap knock off.
You should also make sure that the bale that holds the charm onto the bracelet is sturdy. Make sure that it is soldered closed rather than simply bent shut. This is especially important when you are purchasing individual items that are heavy as over time, the charm's weight may actually pull it down and cause the link to open.
You can find these items both on websites and in jewelry stores. If you do not want the bead versions of these items you may need to order through a catalog or spend a little extra time searching. This is because many jewelry stores have switched over to the beads due to their current popularity.
Caring for your bracelet is as important as picking them out. As this can be a significant financial investment, you will want to make sure that the piece is kept as beautiful as possible for as long as possible. Cleaning them with a soft cloth and checking for stretching or scratching doesn't have to take a long time but it can be well worth your while.
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