Southwest Charms The wearing of Southwest charms like these at Jewelry of the Southwest may have began as a form of amulet to ward off evil spirits or bad luck. Many women start collecting charms when they are very young. A mother often gives her daughter her first charm bracelet, passing on a family heirloom. Then, the daughter adds her own charms representing her favorite hobbies, dreams, and interests. As the daughter matures, so does her charm bracelet. Eventually, that same bracelet may hold a graduation cap, college insignia, the Eiffel Tower, wedding bells and lockets of her children.
In ancient Egypt charms were used for identification and as symbols of faith and luck. Charms also served to identify an individual to the gods in the afterlife. Medieval knights wore charms for protection in battle, to keep God on their side. Charms also were worn in the dark ages to represent family origin, religious and political convictions.
Charm bracelets have been the subject of several waves of trends. Queen Victoria wore charm bracelets that started a fashion among the European noble classes. Soldiers returning home after World War II brought home trinkets made by craftsmen local to the area where they were fighting to give to loved ones, American teenagers in the 1950s collected charms to record the events in their lives. Charm bracelets were the most popular in the United States in the 1940s and 1950s. Soldiers often picked up charms from every city they visited during World War II, and the fashion trend itself continued into times of peace. Over fifty years later charms remain a popular keepsake. Although interest and production waned through the latter part of the 20th century, collectors eagerly sought out vintage charms. Due to the movie Pirate Of The Caribbean, the fashion in winter 2006 is bracelets with little charms of swords, crosses and skulls.Southwest Charms
