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| Sterling Silver Charms Charm; That which exerts an irresistible power to please and attract; that which fascinates; any alluring quality. Any small decorative object worn on the person, as a seal, a key, a silver whistle, or the like.To attract irresistibly; to delight exceedingly; to enchant; to fascinate. To make a musical sound. History; Charms have been used and collected since prehistoric times, crafted from bones, shells, clay and animal tusks. They were worn for good luck, for protection from evil and some were buried with loved ones to accompany them to the afterlife. Charms have existed for centuries, although the charms of today really originate from those of Victorian times. Queen Victoria had a series of charms designed and made to give as gifts to her extended family and circle of friends every New Year. In the 1950's soldiers returning from foreign lands bought momentos back for their loved ones and many of these were sterling silver charms that wives and daughters wore upon bracelets. The popularity of charm bracelets continued through the fifities and into the early sixties. Many people have memories of the bracelets their grandmothers wore, mostly memories around the tinkling sound the bracelets made. These bracelets were quite chunky and often held large charms. Whilst the popularity of charms wained early in the 60's, many grandmothers bracelets have been passed down and the symbolism of the charms upon the charm bracelet has continued to pass memories through the generations. Whilst charms of today maybe made from a wider range of materials, charms today do no less than the charms of Victorian times. They evoke memories for the beholder. With age, memories fade, but just as our mother's and grandmother's charm bracelets can live forever, so today charm bracelets may do just the same and become the heirlooms of the future. Types Of Charms; Today charms can be found made in many different materials; precious metals such as platinum, gold and silver and other are made from pewter and other such non-precious metals. Some are encrusted with precious gem stones or crystals and others are enhanced with glass fired enamel. Charms can be as large as those worn by our mothers and grandmothers and some are tiny, more suited to the more delicate appearance that jewellery has today. At Jewellery Enchantments we specialise in Sterling Silver charms, (we do not sell silver plated charms). Our web site with over 7,200 charms touches lightly upon the number of designs that are available. In addition, charms are not just available in plain sterling silver, but are also available set with Swarovski Crystal, semi-precious gem stones and with glass fired enamel. Many designs are also available in different forms; flat backed, hollow, 3D, 2D, hollowed-backed. Charms are created by pouring moulten sterling silver into moulds, leaving the sterling silver to cool. Once removed from the moulds, the charm is cleaned, polished and finished. Charms may also be stamped from sheets of sterling silver. The process used has much to do with the pricing and quality of a charm. The majority of our charms are purchased and sold according to their weight and the weight is dependant upon the process used. |
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Our Web Site Descriptive Terms;  | Most charms have a hollow or plain flat back. As this is how the majority of charms are made, any charm that does not include one of the specific descriptions below in the products title, will be hollow or flat backed. The hollow or flat backs form charms lighter in weight and therefore, these are some of the least expensive charm to purchase. They are also suitable for other crafts, such as adding to embroideries, as they will lay flat against the fabric. It must also be remembered that some flat backed and hollow backed charms are 'true' charms. A hat charm for example, is more realistic with a hollow back than it would be if it did not have one. |  | Hollow - hollow charms are created from two pieces of 'charm'. The two pieces are soldered together to form a 3D charms that is filled with air. These charms weigh much less than solid charms and therefore, are much less expensive. We do not stock a great number of these charms, as larger pieces can be 'squished' and often the charms are lacking in detail because the sterling silver 'shells' are very thin, but smaller pieces like the heart shown, provide inexpensive 3D charm that are especially suited to creating earrings. |  | 2D - these charms have the same design on both sides of the charm. This Muffin Charm is identical both back and front. The charm would not be described as 3D because the charm does not have a flat bottom, enabling the charm to 'stand'. 2D may also mean that the charm has an appropriate but different design on the back. In example a cat may have a tail on the back of the charm, but because he does not have four feet upon which he can 'stand' he would be described as 2D rather than 3D. |  | 3D - a miniature version of the object that, when viewed from any direction, will depict that object, just as it would in real life. Unless stated as "Hollow" in the charms title, these charms will be solid Sterling Silver. Some 3D charms, such as the Witches Hat Charm will have a hollow centre, just as a hat would in real life. The difference being that these charms are made from one complete mold and pieces are not 'joined' to create the charm. The detail on a 3D charms is much superior to a hollow charm and the weights of these charms are much higher, making the price higher. |  | Flat, Stamped or Tag - thse charms are literally cut or machine stamped from sheets of sterling silver. They are generally quite thin charms and may 'bend'. We do not stock large charms that are stamped, however, the little heart shown in the picture is cut from quite thick sterling silver and makes a perfect little charm to set next to the clasp on a bracelet. Some of our tiny charms are stamped, but are ideal for anklets and for finishing earrings. Starting at just 35p each, these charms are the least expensive and weigh the least. |
Charm Finishes; Charms come in a variety of finishes.  | Antiqued - The majority of our charms are 'antique' finished. After finishing and polishing, the charms are dipped in an antiquing solution that serves to highlight the detail of the charm and to provide a protective coating that prevents the charms from tarnishing as easily as plain sterling silver charms, On the Bee Charm shown in the picture, the segmented body and the definition in the wings is enhanced by the antiquing process. |  | Plain - The charms finish is purely dependant upon the manufactures personal preference. All charms with order codes beginning SP, RW, CMT and PIC are plain polished sterling silver. They are not dipped or coated. These charms do have a tendancy to tarnish more quickly than antiqued charms and depending about the subject matter, can appear 'flat' as the detail is not as defined as those that are antiqued. |  | Satin - Satin finished charms have a more matt appearance. |  | Enamel - Our enamel charms, except charms beginning with order codes PIC and CMT, are enhanced with glass fired enamel. After a sterling silver charm has been finished and polished, vitrious glass enamel is applied to the charm and then the charm is fired in a kiln. The glass powder melts and adheres to the sterling silver, producing a very strong and hard wearing coating of enamel to the charm. Depending upon the shape of the charm, the application of the glass powder is not always precise and on very close inspection the enamelling is not always 'perfect'. Some charm shapes better lend themselves to the enamelling process than others and this becomes clearer in the larger picture available on our web site. Care should be taken with enamel charms, as the enamel is not flexiable. That is to say that if a flat enamel charm is twisted or distored, which being fitted, the enamel may seperate from the silver. PIC and CMT charms are hand painted with vitrious enamels. Whilst this enamel is not as hard wearing, on the designs from these manufacturers, the enamelled parts are within opening charms where the enamel is unlikely to come in contact with other charms. Enamel charms are more expensive, due to the additional work required to produces these charms. Enamel charms add warmth to a bracelet. Whilst we guarantee our enamel charms against poor workmanship, we will not replace enamel charms where there is seen to be distortion to the sterling silver as a result of inappropriate use or poor fitting. |  | Gem and Stone Set - We offer a wide range of gem and stone set charms. Whilst gem set charms are most commonly used as Birthstone Charms, also available are Swarovski set Angels, Hearts set with genuine turquoise stone and many more. These charms add a touch of glamour and vibrant colour to a bracelet. Our gem set charms are prodiminately claw set, like the heart shown in the picture. The stone is held strongly in place by claws and protected around it's outer edges with sterling sliver. Therefore, these charms have the strength to endure the 'knocks' that are expected when wearing a charm bracelet. Please consider that charms do knock into each other and therefore, gem, bead, crystal and natural stone charms must be choosen carefully if you have a bracelet laden with heavy charms. |
Charm Designs Available; As we hope you will appreciate, from our web site, there are simply thousands of charm designs available. From Pea Pods to Baby Shoes; speaking charms that express emotions and names in word form; and from Violins to Hamsters. When searching our web site, please do not enter plurals. "Stars" will not list all the star charms and "Hamsters" will return no such product. If you can not find what you are looking for simply e-mail us. Our range increases because customers have asked for a design not currently on our web site. So please e-mail us and ask, we are happy to help. jewelleryenchantments@gmail.com Charms are versatile. They maybe used to create beautiful and unique pieces of jewellery. If you think of a Meccano set, the finding are the nuts and bolts that hold together a piece, the charms are the metal pieces that build the piece and a bracelet, bookmark, ring, keyring, chain, mobile phone finding, brooch or bail are the pieces upon which the charms are mounted. At Jewellery Enchantments, we create pieces for customers, from their choice of charms and mount.s We do not charge for creating pieces, just the components needed to form the created piece. Where does your imagination lead you? Please see our Gallery page for inspiration. |
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