|
If you enjoy collecting jewelry with personal significance
or giving it as gifts, consider Italian charms! They are the
most affordable way to create a personalized bracelet with
unique meaning. And, there is an amazing variety to choose
from.
Whether you love dogs, cats, or want something signifying
your family or hobby, it's all there! And unlike their
classic dangling counterparts. Italian charms link together
to form a flat bracelet; for a more sophisticated look
enjoyed by women of all ages.
It's no surprise, then, that tens of thousands of women each
year collect Italian charms and give them as gifts. How to
get started? Easy! Whenever buying for yourself or as a
gift, the first thing you need to do is get a "starter
bracelet" containing blank links. Then, get an additional 4
to 5 charms to start the bracelet. The recipient can easily
replace blank links on the starter bracelets with the charms
you give them -- and any others they get in the future -- to
develop a unique bracelet over time.
The Secret to Selecting Quality Italian Charms when you are
looking to buy Italian charms, it's important to consider
quality. Indeed, there are so many places selling these
things that sometimes it's difficult to separate the good
from the bad.
Here are some things to watch out for:
* Make sure they are made of stainless steel (the place
where you buy them should say that.) If you really want to
get technical, ask them what grade of stainless steel their
charms are. They should know, especially if they claim to
sell "direct", because on the manufacturing end stainless
steel has exact grades. Usually, it's a number (like 304)
followed by a letter. You'd see them labeled as 304L or 316.
* Charms marked with a logo or brand-name on the back are
considered higher quality. You never know, but generally
avoid links that are "blank" / have no logo on the back.
What about charms that say "Stainless Steel" on the back?
Well, I've seen a few that were definitely NOT stainless
steel… so use caution.
* Make sure the site you're ordering from has a money-back
guarantee and check any customer comments posted on there.
* It's important to order charms that are covered with
protective epoxy. Otherwise they'll rub off! If the site
doesn't state whether they are or not, ask them.
* You'll find that many site sell "18kt gold" Italian
charms. Well, with very few exceptions, it's a gold-tone and
not sold 18kt gold. Just make sure that if you're paying
18kt gold prices ($18+ per charm) that you indeed getting
18kt gold. Again, nearly all sites sell 18kt gold-tone (or
gold accented) charms. Why pay $18 for the same product if
you could get for under $3… and even for $2, and sometimes
$1/charm?
* A note about care: Even stainless steel charms can change
color when exposed to chemicals, cleaning solutions, and
solvents. Avoid chlorine and any harsh chemicals.
What about the Chinese-Made Italian Charms?
Yes, a lot of people ask that question. Very few merchants
admit it… but, nearly all Italian charms sold on the
Internet are manufactured in China.
Now, what about charms that says "imported from Italy?"
Well, that's nice, but did you know that many of these
places simply buy Chinese-made Italian charms through an
import company in Italy. So, yes, they're "imported from
Italy" but if you think you're getting a handcrafted Italian
product… think again! They're still manufactured in one of
the three main factories in China.
Which Charms are Great For Gifts?
Well… really, all of them! Charms that are especially
popular are, in no particular order: 1) Heart charms, 2)
Ribbon (esp. pink ribbon) charms, 3) American flag, 4)
Flowers, 5) Family and I love my kids-type charms, 6)
Birthstones, 7) Various words and phrases… like "DREAM",
"Family of 5", "Child of GOD", etc. 8) Religious charms,
like crosses, etc.
As you can see, the possibilities are only limited by your
imagination!
|