For centuries, charms have been used as a medium for superstition, religious beliefs and fashion. The ancient Egyptians first used charm amulets to gain the favor of the gods and to obtain a passage into the afterlife. Later, charms were used to ward off evil forces and were also used to curse enemies.
It was in the Victorian period that charms grew out of their traditional image of spiritual and superstitious objects. Queen Victoria of England started wearing charm bracelets as a fashion accessory and started a trend that has continued through the ages. It is said that Queen Victoria wore a charm bracelet of small lockets that contained the photographs of her family. Until that period in history, jewelry was characterized by bulky ornaments made of gold, silver, diamonds and rare gems. However, the quaint charm bracelets revolutionized the concept of jewelry with their delicate and artistic appearance.
Charm bracelets received a sudden revival during the World War periods. Soldiers on their way home picked up charm bracelets for their near and dear ones, as souvenirs from the lands they had visited. The wars came to an end, but the concept of charm bracelets continued.
Today, charm bracelets are extremely popular, especially among girls in their teens. They are not restricted any longer to the upper strata of society as was the case earlier. Charm bracelets come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be worn as casual jewelry or for formal occasions, depending on their style.
Charm bracelets contain anything from animals and flowers to zodiac signs and birthstones, making them a great gift item for any occasion. In most cases, the charms are easily interchangeable on the bracelet, so one can suit their own mood or special occasion. With their quaint and delicate appearance, intricate beauty and magical aura, charm bracelets are sure to fill ones life with style and excitement.
Surprising your girlfriend with a beautiful diamond ring is a moment both of you will cherish your entire life. A once in a lifetime occasion, buying a diamond ring should be done carefully as your fiance will wear it everyday, showing it off to her friends and family members, flaunting your love.
The market is flooded with numerous jewelers and shops claiming to sell the most authentic and beautiful diamonds there are. To make the right choice from the plethora of designs and variety can indeed be a confusing task. It would do you good to be aware of some basic tips on buying diamond jewelry before you buy one for your girlfriend. The four cs, color, cut, clarity and carat, are the deciding factors for a diamonds purity and value. This king of gems comes in all colors, with white being the purest and costliest. Although it is the hardest stone available, diamond can be cut in a variety of fancy shapes and sizes. The shape and cut determines the shine of the gem.
One should choose the shape of the diamond according to your girlfriends personality. If she is dainty– buy a small elegant one; tall and well-buily? go for a large squarish rock. The sparkle of the diamond often holds more importance than the rocks size. Clarity of the diamond ensures a dazzling shine every time the light passes through the stone. Carat, or the weight of diamond, also contributes to its price and value in the market.
Educating yourself about the four cs will keep you from buying imitations. Even though it is conventional to spend two months salary on your engagement ring, you can buy synthetic diamonds, which will be easier on your wallet. Synthetic diamond has the same physical properties of a real diamond but is more affordable than the real one. Finally, do ask the jeweler to provide a purity certificate, which will serve as a guarantee and later help in insuring your gems.