Sunday, April 26, 2015

How To Select And Care For Your Sterling Silver Charms And Bracelets

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By Stella Gay


If you want to commemorate a special occasion, a great way to do this is with a charm. These are small metal items that are available in many different precious metals including silver and gold. If you want to start a collection of these items, there are a few things that you should consider when buying sterling silver charms. Using these tips will help you find quality charms at the best price possible.

Originally there was only one type of charm available. This was a small metal object that would be added to a bracelet or necklace. Special bracelets were available that had larger links that made it easier to attach the charms securely. Now, many people are buying beads that are decorated to have special significance and which act like charms.

You may want to look at both kinds of bracelets. There are benefits and drawbacks to each kind. The beads can be heavy but they are often sturdier than light metal charms would be. You may find that you will need to remove and add beads as your collection grows since most bracelets cannot hold as many beads as they can simple charms. By narrowing down which version you want you will save time and money when you start shopping.

If you know which kind of charm you want, you can then begin your search. Once you start looking it will be easy for you to be overwhelmed by the wide range of options that are available. One way to make the selection process easier is to think about what event or item you want to commemorate. Some popular choices include the birth of a child, a significant milestone in your relationship or even a trip or other fun event.

If you know that you want sterling silver, make sure that it is the real metal. Many white metals can have the same look as sterling but not have the same weight, beauty or value. Some can even discolor your skin when you wear them for an extended period of time. Obviously this is not desirable so you should look for markings on the charm items that you are planning to purchase.

You should also make sure that the bale that holds the charm onto the bracelet is sturdy. Make sure that it is soldered closed rather than simply bent shut. This is especially important when you are purchasing individual items that are heavy as over time, the charm's weight may actually pull it down and cause the link to open.

There are many places to find these items. If you are looking for ones that are not beads, you may be more limited simply because many stores are tending to sell the bead charms instead. You may end up looking through a catalog or browsing a limited selection of items.

Once you have your charm picked out and are wearing it, make sure you look after it properly. You want to make sure that you inspect it to make sure it has not warped or been damaged while it has been worn. If you care for them properly, you may be amazed at the flood of memories that wearing them brings you for years to come.




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