There is something so addictive about charms. You start out buying a few, or maybe you inherit or receive a charm bracelet as a gift, and suddenly, you just can’t resist getting more and more of them. You have officially become an amulet collector.
Small, lightweight, and useful in many ways, charms are great collectibles. Even if you accumulate hundreds of them, you won’t run out of space and there’s always room for more. However, to prevent the collection from getting completely out of hand, it’s a good idea to select a particular theme and try to stick to it (it’s hard, I know!).
To help you get closer to a specific topic, here are some suggestions:
a specific interest
There are charms in every shape you can imagine, some more common than others of course, but if you have a passion in life (other than collecting jewelry!), then focus your collection on that. It could be cooking, traveling, car racing, gardening, a sports team, you name it.
fashion designer charms
Many of the famous clothing and bag designers also make charms in various shapes. Prada, Louis Vuitton and Gucci offer them, and for some who are a little younger and more playful, check out Juicy Couture.
Special Occasions/Holidays
You can build a large collection around a certain holiday, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, etc. Or specific occasions such as graduations, mother’s day or weddings.
ancient charms
Decide on a specific decade and go to town! Pendants have been in fashion for so long that you can choose from virtually any time period and find plenty of them. You’ll probably also want to decide on a spending limit, as prices in this category can range from a few dollars to tens of thousands.
material
You can also build your collection around a specific material. Silver and gold are obvious choices, but what about Bakelite or celluloid? Celluloid charms were very popular in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, coming in boxes of Cracker Jacks and gumball machines. There are many available on the market, but make sure that what you buy is a genuine piece in good condition.
charm shopping
The easiest way is of course online, and I’d suggest starting by doing a little research online about the particular type of charms you want to collect before you start shopping (or buying more). Read what the experts have to say, go to forums and ask questions, learn as much as possible. If you are buying gold or silver, read about the different alloys and brands. Knowledge is key to buying the right items for your collection and being able to recognize a bargain or rare find when you see one.
Some other places to find one-of-a-kind pieces (both at home and abroad) are real estate and garage sales, flea markets, antique shows, and vintage stores.
Last but not least, let your family and friends know about your new hobby. Tell them exactly what you’re looking for and you’ll have solved your gift-giving problems for years to come.