December 29, 2009
What Are The Uses For Italian Charms?
The most popular and fastest growing trend regarding jewelry today is that of Italian charms. The trend was started in Italy in the 1980s. It spread widely after soccer players were seen sporting the modular bracelets that represented their individual country’s colors. The trend spilled over to the United States in the 1990s by American tourists and has only spread like wildfire since.
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.
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.
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.
A more expensive method of customization involves the use of photography. A photograph can also be used to create a charm by using two methods. The first method mounts a photograph onto the link and then seals it. The second way is dye-sublimation. This method transfers the colors of the photograph to the link.
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.
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