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Tag: vintage jewelry

Vintage Charm Bracelets-Memories on a Dainty Chain

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.

vintage ads 1948 Lord & Taylor ad for charms and charm bracelets
Source: Pinterest

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.

queen victoria charm bracelet
Source: Royal Collection

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.

vintage tiffany charm bracelet

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).

Elizabeth Taylor in the 1950s wearing charm bracelet vintage photo
Source: Decor to Adore

Joan Crawford in Strait-Jacket wearing charm bracelet.

Joan Crawford in Strait-Jacket wearing charm bracelet
Source: Inside Pulse

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!


Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

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.

Victorian Antique Charm Bracelet from 1stdibs vintage jewellery
Source: Istdibs
  1. Teapot with Removable Lid – 14 Karat Yellow Gold
  2. Coral Lipstick in Tube
  3. Amethyst Cabochon “Flower Bud” with gold Sepals
  4. 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
  5. LUXURY TAX TOKEN with a Star and 5 5 on the front, ALABAMA STATE TAX COMMISSION on the back
  6. Military Insignia Button – on the front are the letters JB, a Crown and a flying Eagle
  7. YALE Key – 9 Karat Yellow Gold
  8. Camel – Ruby eyes
  9. Maple Leaf with a Swirl Border
  10. Owl – 9 Karat Yellow Gold
  11. Martini Glass – Clear Top with “Cherry” in the bottom, gold stem and base
  12. Religious Medal – front: ROSARUM IN BREM E COELO EFFUNDAM, back: SANCTA TERESIA A JESU
    INFANTE

Art Deco Diamond Gold and Platinum Charm Bracelet, 1920s.

1920s vintage charm bracelet made of gold and platinum vintage jewellery
Source: 1stdibs

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.

Art Deco Carved Emerald Diamond Gold Platinum Charm Bracelet
Source: 1stdibs

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!

vintage 1940s charm bracelet vintage jewellery
Source: Lang

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.

1940s gold charm bracelet with moving charms. vintage jewellery
Source: 1stdibs

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.

Vintage Bracelet - 1930's-1940's 14k Yellow Gold Charm Bracelet
Source: Etsy

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.

vintage 1950s charm bracelet. vintage jewelry
Source: Antiques.com

Now for something different. An adorable 1950s Hawaiian/Tropical themed bracelet. I adore this one! 

Glass Fruit Charm Bracelet, circa 1950s, Hawaiian Motif vintage jewelery
Source: Etsy

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!

vintage child's charm bracelet has 5 colorful plastic charms dangling from a gold-tone curb link chain bracelet.

Source: Etsy

Vintage Capitol Records charm bracelet, promotional item early 1950’s.

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. 

coca cola charm bracelet property of vintage inn blog

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

Bakelite! The Must Have Vintage Fashion Accessory

Looking for a present for that special person in your life (or maybe yourself)?

Then Bakelite could be the way to go and if you have started to read my blog recently then you might of seen the word “Bakelite” mentioned a few times on here and could be wondering exactly what I’m talking about? Is this Bakelite something I have recently baked? Did my husband baked it (because I certainly don’t bake lol)? If those thoughts passed thru your head you would be incorrect, Bakelite is actually a plastic or its more technical name: “polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride” Say that 3 times fast..or say it at all 🙂

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay, are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

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. 

Bakelite! The Must Have Vintage Fashion Accessory

Brief History of Bakelite

Bakelite was created by accident by Leo Baekeland (a scientist and a millionaire from selling his photographic paper patent to Kodak), in 1907 when he was trying to find a replacement for shellac and ended up creating one of the first plastics made from synthetic materials (discovered it would never melt). The plastics were used from everything from radio and telephone casings to kitchenware, jewelry (very popular due to its low cost to purchase especially during the depression) and even children’s toys (Wikipedia-Bakelite).

Collection of Bakelite products in a museum.

-Picture from the Bakelite Museum in the UK-

World War 2 though brought the end of Bakelite production by the main producers of the plastic “Catalin Corp” due to the need to focus on the War effort and this saw new plastics like fiberglass, vinyl and lucite take its place in popularity.

Bakelite is now highly converted for its retro appeal by the mid-century vintage loving crowd. The jewelry more than anything and if you we’re to go on Etsy or eBay right this second you will see many pieces of Bakelite for sale at insane prices. As example…the 1940s Bakelite cherry necklace below.

1940s Cherry Bakelite Necklace

Source: Etsy

Don’t fear though, you can find Bakelite at lower prices than what I have shown here (especially if the vendor is not aware they are selling Bakelite or you win it on eBay or you get a nice seller who sells it under value or the piece is not as fancy, etc.).

Fake Bakelite: The vintage world has been taken over by “Fakelite” aka “looks like Bakelite but is not and very inexpensive to purchase”. I personally own a few pieces myself from Luxulite and I love them (especially on my low budget). They are a SUPER way to get the look of Bakelite without the cost.

1940s vintage style bracelet 1940s style bangle bakelite like fakelite

Here are some vendors on Etsy that you can buy from today:


****CAUTION: REAL Bakelite is hard to spot unless you know some tricks to test the plastic or know trusted vendors online or in stores. Decolish has as a great blog post on Bakelite testing that is a must read if you wish to venture into purchasing a piece or two of your own. People will try to sell you fake Bakelite at high prices so proceed with caution.******

In the Rockabilly & mid-century vintage crowd the women love their Bakelite and there is many a blog and online pictures with these beautiful women wearing gorgeous Bakelite bracelets (the plastic comes in the most beautiful colours and can be carved, inlaid or laminated with decorative designs thus making them the most popular). I have started my own collection myself and currently own a bracelet, brooch and earrings (like the collection of bracelets below).

These Bakelite yellow bracelets were being sold as set on Etsy

Vintage 1940s Bakelite Bracelets

Source: Etsy

So with all that said, I will leave you with a some Bakelite jewelry images to get you dreaming of beautiful bangles and brooches to put under the Christmas tree (or even before that!). Happy Shopping!

Vintage marbled amber Burnt orange Bakelite, thick hoop earrings 1940s / 1950s.(avail as of March 17th, 2022 HERE).

Vintage Marbled Amber Burnt Orange BAKELITE Thick Hoop Earrings 1940s 1950s.

Source: Etsy

1940s Vintage Bakelite Brown and Orange Dress Clip (Tested). Dress Clips can be worn at the neck of a blouse or dress as they just clip onto the fabric. Very fun fashion accessory! (August 2020 Update)

1940s Vintage Bakelite Brown and Orange Dress Clip (Tested). Dress Clips can be worn at the neck of a blouse, dress as they just clip onto the fabric. Very fun fashion accessory!

Source: Etsy

Vintage Butterscotch Bakelite Charm Bracelet (Tested). Such a stunny piece of Mid Century Jewelry. (August 2020 Update)

Vintage Butterscotch Bakelite Charm Bracelet

Source: Etsy

Bakelite Brooch/ Signed Shultz Jewelry/ Vintage Bakelite Buttons and Butterscotch Ball Dangle Brooch.

Bakelite Brooch/ Signed Shultz Jewelry/ Vintage Bakelite Buttons and Butterscotch Ball Dangle Brooch

Source: Etsy

Fantastic 1940s Bakelite Grape Cluster Brooch via Etsy.

1940s Bakelite Grape Cluster Brooch

Source: Etsy

Deeply Carved Floral Leaf Motif Heavy Butterscotch Yellow Bakelite Bangle 1930s.

Deeply Carved Floral Leaf Motif Heavy Butterscotch Yellow Bakelite Bangle 1930s.

Source: Etsy

Vintage Bakelite Bracelet Transparent Apple Juice Marbled.

Vintage Bakelite Bracelet Transparent Apple Juice Marbled.

Source: Etsy

Do you love Bakelite as much as me? Share any thoughts you have on this topic in the comments section below.


Shopping for Bakelite: I have recently created a regularly updated, Etsy collection page of ‘Vintage Bakelite‘ jewelry that you can find HERE.


Further Reading:

Thanks for dropping by!

Liz