I have always loved charm bracelets and especially vintage ones because they tell a story a story that sometimes you can piece together by just looking at the charms the bracelet carries.
Charm Bracelets History
Now charm bracelets are NOT a new novelty item they have been around in various forms since the pre-historic period (Yup this is true!).
But more modern times saw people like, Queen Victoria wearing charm bracelets and even starting a fashion among the European noble classes. When her beloved Prince Albert died, she even made “mourning” charms popular; lockets of hair from the deceased, miniature portraits of the deceased, charm bracelets carved in jet.
In 1889, Tiffany and Co. introduced their first charm bracelet — a link bracelet with a single heart dangling from it, a bracelet which is an iconic symbol for Tiffany today.
Despite the Great Depression, during the 1920s and 1930s platinum and diamonds were introduced to charm bracelet manufacturing.
Soldiers returning home after World War II brought home trinkets made by craftsmen local to the area where they were fighting to give to loved ones.
American teenagers in the 1950s and early 1960s collected charms to record the events in their lives (like 16th birthdays or engagements and weddings). Screen icons like Elizabeth Taylor and Joan Crawford helped to fuel the interest and popularity of charm bracelets (Source).
Joan Crawford in Strait-Jacket wearing charm bracelet.
Today’s post is going to showcase some pretty wonderful versions of these dainty items of jewerly and maybe as a group we figure out just what some of those memories were (share your thoughts in the comment section).
Let’s Begin!
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Note: If you click on an item and it is no longer available, don’t fret! The websites I have provided are updated daily with 1000’s of new & vintage items. Just do a quick search and see what you find.
VINTAGE SHOPPING: Looking to have your own Vintage Charm Bracelet? I have created a collection on Etsy that is updated monthly.
Vintage Charm Bracelets Examples
1890s Victorian Charm Bracelet with 12 Charms, 9K and 14K Yellow Gold. This darling charm bracelet features 12 distinctive charms.
- Teapot with Removable Lid – 14 Karat Yellow Gold
- Coral Lipstick in Tube
- Amethyst Cabochon “Flower Bud” with gold Sepals
- Medal – front: JOARRES EST ROMEN EJVS, cross, lion, grey/burgundy flag, rook images, Lamb laying on a book and holding a flag, the letters F and I with a crown above each
- LUXURY TAX TOKEN with a Star and 5 5 on the front, ALABAMA STATE TAX COMMISSION on the back
- Military Insignia Button – on the front are the letters JB, a Crown and a flying Eagle
- YALE Key – 9 Karat Yellow Gold
- Camel – Ruby eyes
- Maple Leaf with a Swirl Border
- Owl – 9 Karat Yellow Gold
- Martini Glass – Clear Top with “Cherry” in the bottom, gold stem and base
- Religious Medal – front: ROSARUM IN BREM E COELO EFFUNDAM, back: SANCTA TERESIA A JESU
INFANTE
Art Deco Diamond Gold and Platinum Charm Bracelet, 1920s.
Art Deco Carved Emerald Diamond Gold Platinum Charm Bracelet (circa 1925).
The Charms: Napoleonic hat, a palmist’s hand, a Corna symbol, a flask, a turtle, a jockey’s cap and a porcupine.
A Mid-Century Jam Packed Beauty – 40 miniature charms depicting items like a kettle drum to a spinning fan to a small menagerie of animals, etc from the 1940s/1950s. The bracelet itself is 10 karat and the charms are mostly 14 karat. What a collection!
1940’s gold charm bracelet complete with moving charms!
The bracelet is set with a unicycle, a cocktail shaker (doesn’t open), an ice pick, a flashlight, a wine opener, a bucket, a 1940s aircraft, a compact that opens, a stroller with movable wheels, a lipstick that extends, a thimble, a telephone that says “hello” and “I love u,” a ring, a bell that chimes, a mantle clock, a whistle, a treasure chest that opens.
1930’s-1940’s 14k Yellow Gold Charm Bracelet.
Charms are: Jade Drop, Hourglass, Door Knocker, Postcard, Outhouse, 8 Ball, Heart with Key, Gymnast, Camping Lantern, Horses Stirrups, Puppet Show, Pen, Box, Initial, Airplane, Dog House, Graduation Cap, Horseshoe.
Happy 13th Birthday! Cute Bracelet from the 1950s.
Charms include: a hair comb; a teapot with hinged lid that opens and closes; an ice tongs with bead in the form of an ice cube; a cuckoo clock with movable pendulum; a guitar; number 13; a pair of child’s boots or shoes; an elephant, a locket in the form of a book. The locket opens to hold a picture.
Now for something different. An adorable 1950s Hawaiian/Tropical themed bracelet. I adore this one!
Looking to start some little child in your life with a charm bracelet? Why not this adorable (really adorable), 1960s Charm Bracelet. Featuring a bubble gum pink sail boat; a bright pink monkey; a yellow fish; a blue donkey; and a rich red ballerina. Too cute!
Source: Etsy
Vintage Capitol Records charm bracelet, promotional item early 1950’s.
Lastly, here is a charm bracelet I hold dear, a gift from my mother. I love vintage coca cola and this fun piece suits me perfectly.
Question time: If you had a charm bracelet what was your favourite charm? If you never owned one, would you after seeing this post? Share in your comments about any of the above I shared in the comments below.
FURTHER READING: Vintage Fashion 1920s-1960s (Archived Blog Posts)
Liz