The Beguiling Beauty of the Charm Bracelet

Whether it's made from leather or plastic, beads or metal, diamonds or gold, the bracelet has adorned the arms of civilization since the dawn of time. The term "bracelet" originates from the Latin word "brachile," meaning "of the arm."

Bracelets Around the World

Perhaps one of the more historically significant bracelets, the Scarab Bracelet is a recognized symbol of ancient Egypt. Representing rebirth and regeneration, carved scarabs were donned by ancient Egyptians and placed inside the linen bandages of pharaohs when they died.

In Latin America, the Azabache bracelet is recognized as a symbol which also provides protection. The gold bracelet with a black or red coral charm in the form of a fist is believed to protect the wearer from the Mal de ojo, or evil eye, which is brought about by excessive admiration. Newborn babies, especially, receive a Azabache bracelet to wear in protection against the evil eye.

Bangles are traditional bracelets worn by Pakistani and Indian women. Women wear them to denote their married status. Gold and glass bangles are especially popular with Indian women who wear one or more on each arm. Bracelets studded with semi-precious stones, diamonds and pearls are considered the most expensive.

Bracelets: Fads and Fashion

The idea of a tennis bracelet may cause some confusion. What exactly does an elegant piece of jewelry have to do with the sport? In actuality, the tennis bracelet got its name when Chris Evert, former no. 1 woman tennis player, was playing a match in the U.S. Open. Suddenly, Evert stopped the match to look for the diamond bracelet she always wore on the court, which was accidentally broken while she was playing. As Evert retrieved her bracelet, millions of onlooker at the match and on television watched the live event unfold. The incident sparked a new name for the bracelet, as well as a huge jewelry trend. Even today, tennis stars such Serena Williams and Gabriela Sabatini sport their own tennis bracelets.

Another sports star helped to spark yet another bracelet trend of his own. Lance Armstrong, record-breaking winner of the Tour de France, first wore the silicone rubber bracelet in 2004, which was called the Yellow Livestrong wristband. Launched to raise funds for cancer research for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and developed by Nike, the Livestrong wristband has raised millions of dollars and gained worldwide status.

Created from embroidery floss or thread, friendship bracelets are a version of macramé and have enjoyed popularity for decades. According to tradition, the recipient of the friendship bracelet must wear it until the cords wear and the bracelet falls off naturally. The sentiment behind the friendship bracelet is that it was made with love and hard work and should therefore be worn in such a fashion to honor the friend's effort. Patterns of friendship bracelets vary but some of the most popular styles include the bordered chevron, broken ladder and candy stripe. Because of their versatility, friendship bracelets are worn by both genders and are especially popular with tween and teenage girls, as well as hippies and dead heads, or fans of the band Grateful Dead. The friendship bracelet is also commonly worn by surfers, who prefer thicker styles that wear longer.

Bead bracelets are among the oldest human art forms, dating back to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. Bead bracelets are also a common art form with Southwestern American Indian jewelry, often designed with a predominance of turquoise. Bead making has been practiced throughout Europe and the Middle East for centuries. One of the most popular places for bead making is Venice, or more specifically Murano Island. Murano glass beads have been produced there since the 1200s and include a variety of ancient methods, such as the seed bead, Rosetta beads and Cornaline or "white heart" beads. To achieve the brilliant colors of Murano's famous beads, the glass maker must use extreme accuracy in the mixing of chemical compounds. Specific materials are required to create Murano's brilliant colored beads.

Charm bracelets originated centuries ago as amulets, or good luck charms, to ward off evil or provide strength and health to the wearer. They were made of natural gems or rocks such as lapis or quartz which were believed to have supernatural powers. From Queen Victoria to young women of the World War II era, charm bracelets were worn in honor or memory of loved ones. In the 1950s, charm bracelets became a mark of society for young girls reaching puberty. With the passing of a special event, the young woman was presented with a new charm to add to her bracelet. The idea was to create the most diverse and interesting bracelet with as many different charms as possible.

The charm bracelet is no longer to be connected to just girlish pursuits. For example, the Danish-inspired charm bracelet has taken the jewelry industry by storm. These beautiful pieces of art are anchored by their modular design which allows charms to be threaded in any fashion to suit any preference or whim. Twisting slightly with the movement of wrist creates an eye-catching effect, especially as onlookers admire charms of Murano glass, sterling silver, gold, and semi-precious stones.