The Allure of Italian Charms
Italian charms are the latest and most popular trend in the jewelry industry. The trend began in the mid 1980s in Italy. The craze spread so fast that soccer players have been known to wear bracelets that reflected their country’s colors. The trend spread to the United States after American tourists became enamored with the style.
Each bracelet consists of 18 interchangeable rectangular stainless steel links. The Italian charm starter bracelet consisting of blank links allows for a complete look. Each link is a standardized size, which allows for a multitude of companies to provide charms at various rates. Unlike traditional charm bracelets that dangle. The Italian charm bracelet is a modular unit that can be changed according to an individual’s changing interests.
Charms can represent anything that the wearer chooses. However, the most common charms are representations of an individual’s hobbies, interests and profession. The links are interchangeable so that each bracelet can be as unique as each individual.
A traditional link of an Italian charm bracelet consists of a rectangular piece of stainless steel on which the design is soldered or etched onto the surface. Recently, Italian charm makers have begun making full color charms using an enamel process. This process is very expensive though so it is reserved for charms that will sell in large quantities. However, many charm wearers wish to have specific charms made that express the uniqueness of the individual wearing the bracelet. Therefore, as the popularity of Italian charms has increased, manufacturers of the charms have had to find quicker and less expensive means of creating charms.
One method that has been found to produce charms less expensively involves laser technology. Lasers are used to permanently etch a design onto the surface of stainless steel. These charms are less expensive than the enamel charms. Laser technology also allows for the customization of charms. A fully customized and individualized laser charm can be bought between to a piece.
Further customization can also be done for a slightly higher cost. This customization allows for a photograph to be used to produce a charm through two methods. In the first method, a photograph is mounted to the stainless steel and a seal is placed over the photograph to preserve it. The second method involves transferring the image to the surface of the link through a process known as dye-sublimation.
Although the original trend involved only bracelets, the craze has spread to other merchandise. Fans of this growing style can now get key chains, anklets, earrings and necklaces.
