1960's Charm Bracelets

The swinging sixties was an era of high style and fashion, and 1960's charm bracelets are a symbol of the fun and funky jewelry that marked the decade.

The 1960's is a decade that conjures up thoughts of mini dresses, beehive hair dos and bold funky jewelry. For the first time, women and men were experimenting with new and different jewelry types and breaking away from the traditions and conventions that were popular up until the middle of the last century.

Instead of making jewelry from conventional materials such as gold and silver, jewelry makers were experimenting with new and exciting materials such as bakelite, plastic and other unusual materials. In addition to the popular bakelite bracelets, these 'new' materials were a popular choice for charms. This gave jewelry makers and designers a greater freedom than they had experienced before as the new and modern materials were cheap and lightweight meaning that larger and more flamboyant jewelry items could be formed. This also opened up the opportunity for items such as charm bracelets to be available for every day wear. Whereas before these would have been heirloom pieces that were precious and delicate, the 1960's charm bracelets were full of fun and interesting charms that were accessible to all.

There are many different types of 1960's charm bracelets. These include:

1960's charm bracelets are now regarded as vintage. They can be found in many antique and collectors stores as well as in specialist retailers. The styles of charms are varied and it is possible to buy complete charm bracelets as well as the individual charms. The charms often reflect the fashions of the time, therefore anything to do with space and space travel was popular as was music.

In addition to original versions of charms and charm bracelets, there are many modern and contemporary bracelets that are inspired by the era. These can be great fun and have the style of the 1960s with the practicality of modern jewelry making materials. Types of charms include funky television sets, striking black and white charms and anything to do with the music of the time.

Here are a few tips to help you buy the perfect vintage charm bracelet:

• Check that the clasp, links and charms are not damaged. Many jewelers and antique dealers will be able to provide repairs or at least suggest someone who can undertake this. It makes sense to establish what repairs, if any, are required and to get a quote before buying.

• Establish what the charms are made from. Some charms might be made from materials that are not used today or whose use for jewelry is prohibited. A knowledgeable dealer will be able to offer advice. Even if a charm is made from a material that shouldn't be worn near to the skin, there are still other ways that the charm can be used. Perhaps as a mobile phone or bag charm.

• Ask the seller about cleaning. Some older materials have specialist cleaning requirements and may not benefit from being cleaned with modern solvent based cleaners.

There are a few key things to bear in mind when buying or creating a 1960's inspired charm bracelet. These include:

• Pick a theme! There are lots of themes that would adapt well to 1960's styling. Fun and funky fruits, household appliances and geometric shapes are all perfect for 1960's style.

• Look for jewelers who specialize in unusual charms. Judith Jack dog charm bracelets are a perfect example of this.

• Choose materials such as plastics and acrylics. These reflect materials such as bakelite that were popular in the 1960's. These are not only relatively low cost, they are also available in a wide range of styles. Plastic and acrylic are lightweight which results in a charm bracelet that is comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

1960's charm bracelets are great fun. Whether you pick an original bracelet or look for a modern alternative this is bound to be a funky, eye-catching choice.

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