The Creation of Charm Bracelets

There are two basic ways that charm bracelets can be made. Both options produce very beautiful styles of bracelets, some which can be purchased complete with starter charms and others that come just as the bracelet. Charm bracelets that are made by machines are most commonly found with starter charms already attached while hand made bracelets typically only have one charm already present if they have any.

For those that want to create a very original, personal and unique type of bracelet, the best option is to design your own collection of charms. Charm bracelets can be purchased in either silver or gold, with the choice being based on what types of charms you want to add in the future.

Machine made charm bracelets are done in assembly line type manufacturing. Long lengths of chain are cut by machines to the desired lengths then the ends are soldered on. Typically these ends will be either spring rings or lobster clasps, but toggle types of closures are also popular.

The chain itself is then cleaned through a process of submerging in trays of cleaning solution and then tumbling for a period of time in a machine. This provides both a buffing action as well as a polishing finish, leaving either silver charm bracelets or gold varieties sparkling and dazzling.

Many types of gold charm bracelets and even silver charm bracelets are completely made by hand. These types of charm bracelets are very time consuming to create but are also each unique and just slightly different from any other. The jeweler or artisan adds each link and attaches them one at a time until the desired length of the bracelet is obtained. Ends are then soldered or attached by hand as well.

Handmade charm bracelets are very unique with no two bracelets being completely identical. Each link will have slight variations, although they are very uniform in size and shape as well. Many people feel that the handmade bracelets are very personal and go well with the whole individual aspect of charm bracelets.

Not surprisingly, charms themselves can be handmade like some charm bracelets or they can be mass produced through jewelry manufacturing by machines. Since handmade items tend to be more expensive, most charms in jewelry stores and online are machine made unless specifically labeled as made by hand.

Additional accent pieces such as gems, stone chips or even painted charms may be made by machine or the details added by hand. These are wonderful additions to charm bracelets that add color and dazzle. Choosing between machine or handmade charms and charm bracelets is a persona decision, but both make ideal gift ideas for any occasion.

Amber is expert writer for CharmsToTreasure, with greater than 15 years working experience within the jewelry and charm industry. Amber has wrote many articles sharing information on gold charms, sterling silver charms, and gold and silver charm bracelets.