| Right from the very earliest ancient times, | | | | serving on the front line would collect small items |
| Charms are understood to have had their origins | | | | that reminded them of their fellow comrades that |
| in pagan and religious practice, where they were | | | | they had lost and as presents for family and |
| carried in order to help to wearer to enter the | | | | friends back home. As a result, charms slowly |
| afterlife or to keep evil spirits away. For example, | | | | became a common means of keeping treasured |
| early hunters would start to carry various trinkets | | | | memories very much in mind. |
| with them in order to bring good fortune to the | | | | In the decades following the end of the second |
| hunt. | | | | world war, charm bracelets started to become |
| The earliest examples from archaeological records | | | | particularly popular amongst girls who often |
| of people wearing charms as a bracelet goes | | | | received them as presents or gifts when they |
| back as far as 1600 years ago to the pharaohs | | | | reached particular birthdays, engagements or |
| of ancient Egypt. Here the driving force was | | | | even weddings. They would then begin to build |
| similar to that for the ancient hunters in that they | | | | upon these initial gifts and add further charms to |
| are believed to have been placed in tombs to | | | | the collection themselves in order to mark other |
| keep away evil spirits and provide protection in | | | | significant memories in their lives, for example, the |
| the afterlife. | | | | birth of a child or perhaps a significant anniversary. |
| Later on, in around 700 BC, the Babylonians are | | | | Now we are seeing that charm bracelets collected |
| understood to have started to have worn charms | | | | over a lifetime are very important not only to the |
| on a bracelet for altogether more decorative | | | | original collector, but also their immediate family |
| reasons. | | | | and it is not uncommon for a charm bracelet |
| The Romans and Greeks are also known to have | | | | collection to be passed down from one generation |
| worn or carried charms in order to show respect | | | | to the next, from mother to daughter. |
| their gods. During the middle ages, Knights would | | | | In addition, not only are charms used to |
| wear charms as a way of making visible their | | | | remember significant events in their owner's life, |
| particular ranking. | | | | but their adoption has grown further into pure |
| However, it wasn't until during the reign of Queen | | | | fashion. Coloured glass beads coupled with |
| Victoria that charm bracelets really started to | | | | interesting silver trinkets really are suited to |
| become popular amongst the mainstream | | | | making up highly individual bead charm bracelets |
| western European population, although primarily | | | | that suit the wearer's tastes, outfit, and even |
| limited to the more wealthy classes as only they | | | | express their mood on a given day. Especially |
| could afford to have specially made decorative | | | | popular today are bracelets that are made up |
| charms made from precious materials such as | | | | from collections of brightly coloured glass beads |
| gold and silver and containing gemstones. | | | | such as that from Murano, sometimes mixed with |
| Later on, it was during the Second World War | | | | contrasting engraved beads made from silver. |
| that collecting charms really took off. Servicemen | | | | |