Heart Charm Bracelets

Heart shaped charms have passed between people, since gold was first discovered. These special, little beauties would make any bracelet worth having. Although heart shaped charms are most commonly shared among lovers or best friends, they can also be given out as a thank you gift, Valentine's day token, "secret-pal" surprise, or a "going away" gift exchange. Heart charms can make any occasion into a joyful expression of love.

Often some of the best heart shaped charms are exchanged between star struck lovers, longtime friends, or family members. Whomever might be the recipient of such a heartfelt gift, they will be pleased that you went to such great lengths, to express your feelings towards them. Even though your heart shaped charm might be tiny, their lasting expressions of love or friendship will be felt throughout the years.

During the Victorian age charm bracelets were made from gold, sterling silver and platinum. Victorians would place lockets containing family pictures or locks of hair on their bracelets to wear. Queen Victoria was the world's greatest lover of charm bracelets. She would wear her charm bracelet when she was separate from Prince Albert. Many of Queen Victoria's charms contained pictures of the prince and a few contained locks of Prince Albert's hair. It wasn't until World War II, did charms new popularity heights match that of the Victorian era. American soldiers would send charms back to love ones at home.

The history of wearing bracelets can be dated back to the stone ages, when mankind first started painting on cave walls. The appeal of charms, which have long been associated with love, mystique, protection and magic, can be traced back over mankind's history as far back as 75,000 years ago. A recent discovery of a 30,000 year old charm bracelet, in the southwest region of Germany favor testimony to the appeal charms. The petite size, intricately craved, figurines were made from the tusk of mammoths. The oldest charms found to date, were located throughout Africa. The many different cultures of Africa, adorned their weapons with charms that were made from shells. These charms were worn as a symbol of status with in their community. They also kept as a counter. Warriors wrapped their weapons with charms to tell fellow warriors the history of the weapon being used in battle. The charms themselves represented how many kills had happened and it was a way to express a warriors strength. It wasn't until the dawn of the Bronze Age, when man discovered using precious metals to make Jewel, was the true art form created. It was in this time frame that charms were also made from Lapis, quartz, diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires.

A very special way of personalizing a heart charm, is by having the charm inscribed with a meaningful message. Some people have their heart shaped charms inscribed to mark a special time in their lives, like the new birth of a child, a wedding date, and in other cases to mark the event of someone's death.

Heart shaped charms can even be inscribed with a name of a person, in order to memorialize a love one, or rather to show ownership. Either way, the gift of a new heart shaped charm or charm bracelet is sure to be, a cherished gift or family heirloom to past down to future generations. Whatever the reason for buying a heart shaped charm or charm bracelet, one thing is for sure, these charms will never lose their meaning of love.