February 8, 2010
The Magic 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.
The original charms were made by permanently soldering or etching a design onto the surface of the stainless steel. More recently, the most common charms are made through an enamel process that allows for full color. This enamel process can be quite expensive though, so it is used only for charms that will be sold in large quantities. However, even though thousands of different charms are produced in large quantities, Italian charm bracelet owners desire more individualized charms. The popularity of the bracelets has prompted a necessity for a less expensive form of production.
Laser technology has been found to be an inexpensive yet reliable method of creating charms. This type of charm is manufactured by a laser permanently etching the design onto the surface of the steel. Laser charms are the least expensive charms to purchase. However, laser technology has also allowed for individuals to customize a charm to their specific instructions. Custom charms are a bit more expensive but not totally unfordable.
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.
The popularity of Italian charm bracelets has expanded the use of the modular links to other various items. Now, links can be seen on various types of jewelry such as necklaces, earrings, keychains and anklets.
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November 25, 2009
Loving And Showing: Personalized Jewelry
Some people may have a big heart, but fear giving gifts. Gifts can be a difficult topic to address for some, simply because gifts can be so special. Gifts are meant to portray those special moments or made to remember the most extraordinary of times. And yet, in a material world where there are so many gift ideas, and so much stuff in general, it is hard to choose a heartfelt gift. People want to make good impressions, but with so much advertisement swaying a person in a whirlwind of directions, it is difficult to make a decision. The truth is, simplicity and timelessness is the key. A person can say more with less. Although, greeting cards should not always be the definition of simple and timeless. There are ways to be timeless, thoughtful, and caring in your gift. Jewelry is meant for anyone, for those who know what they want to give as well as those who cannot decide. Jewlery is that one present that may be worth the world to someone and worn every day. Of course, wedding rings are one example of a timeless jewelry gift. But remember, jewelry alone is not what makes a gift special. The message that lies behind the jewelry is what really makes the gift heartfelt and special. And the best way to give your gift’s message is by personalizing it. Special gifts like personalized pendants are what draws a person in and makes them feel attached to their gift. It is what makes jewelry the most precious.
Of course, there are gift opportunities all year long. A person may not know how to always choose the right gift, but for the biggest and most heartfelt moments, personalized jewelry is a winner. Personalized rings are what make regular wedding bands extraordinary in a marriage ceremony. And a person celebrating a birthday or an anniversary, or maybe even a promotion, could deserve a gift of personalized jewelry. So for everyone who doubts their abilities to give, just speak from the heart. There is nothing more powerful than a message of love attached to your jewelry, Personalized jewelry may be the perfect way to connect two people with love.
Don’t fret when trying to make your gift uique. Keeping it simple and heartfelt is always a good path. Something simple like personalized bracelets are sometimes the biggest gifts of all.