Italian charms are modular jewelry that can be designed to fit the personality of anyone that wears them. The style began in the late 1980s in Italy. The bracelets became so popular that soccer players wore bracelets sporting their country’s colors. By the early 1990s, American tourists to Italy brought the trend back to the United States.
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 reflect any part of your individual personality. However, the most general charms represent that of what the interests, hobbies and career of a person may be. Each link can be replaced so that the bracelet can reflect a person’s changing interest. Each bracelet can be created through any theme that the individual can imagine. Common themes include color and family.
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 provided this less expensive and quicker yet reliable form of production. Laser charms are produced by a laser permanently etching a design on the surface of the stainless steel link. Most laser charms sell for less than each. However, laser technology also provides a means of complete customization. Individual customized charms can be produced for to each.
Further customization can be accomplished through the use of photographs. Photographs can be turned into charms through two methods. First, the photograph is mounted to the rectangular piece and sealed over. Second, the image can be transferred to the metal through a process known as dye-sublimation.
The trend of Italian charms has spread to other merchandise in recent years. The modular links can now be found on anklets, key chains, earrings and necklaces.
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