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Pugster’s hand-painted Italian charms are created through a multi-step process that results in beautiful, vibrant designs that are individually crafted. These special, carefully made items are one-of-a-kind! Each design embarks on a journey, passing through several hands to ensure that its quality is top-notch and uniqueness is maintained.

Creating the Image

The charms may begin as an idea from one of our in-house artists, or as a suggestion from a customer with a special request. From either source, our artists create new designs for Italian charms on a weekly basis. Once an idea has been conceived, its computer generated image is transferred into a physical mold.

Creating the Charm

The next step in the making of a hand-painted charm is the creation of the actual charm link. A gold plated charm face is soldered to a stainless steel backing. Soldering allows for maximum durability and quality, ensuring the long life of this small work of art.

The Hand-Painting Process

An artisan follows the mold of the chosen design, using a computerized matching system for true and vivid color exactness. Enamel paints glow with richness, matching every shade of every color imaginable.
A needle-sized painting tool allows for intricate detail and more complex designs on the face of the charm. This is accomplished without compromising the quality of the hand-painted look. Once the charm has been painted, it is topped with a lustrous epoxy coating. The epoxy adds sheen as well as serving as a protective coating for the hand-painted treasure.

Modern and sleek, stainless steel is enjoying increasing popularity. Especially among younger crowds, this simple style offers a contemporary take on the clean look of sterling silver. Stainless steel jewelry is available in many varieties. Rings, pendants, earrings are all popular pieces.
One of the benefits of creating jewelry from stainless steel is its virtual indestructibility. Most materials used for jewelry, such as gold and silver, are poured into molds. Stainless steel is cut from a solid piece of steel. The result is a seamless piece without weak spots. The streamlined look of stainless steel reflects this tough quality. Simple designs are the most popular in stainless steel.
Stainless steel’s unique style is accentuated by its finish. A matte or brushed finish is a good example of the industrial, cutting-edge look. However, the material can be finished to gleam and appear just like sterling silver or even platinum. The advantage? Stainless steel is much more durable and much less expensive. Other advantages of wearing stainless steel jewelry include that is does not rust, or discolor skin.

A great way to display your favorite Italian charm is on a necklace. Dangling like a pendant, the charm can be switched to suit your mood even on a daily basis. Necklaces are a great way to draw attention to that one special charm or make a strong, stylish statement. A birthstone Italian charm is striking on a necklace, and fun designs make a great conversation piece.

Necklace starters consist of a rubber loop and include a hook to connect an Italian charm. You can clip one or more charms to dangle from your necklace. Another idea is to connect a double link Italian charm featuring a vertical design.

Italian charms watches fuse the personality of Italian charm bracelets with the practicality of the wrist watch. A wide variety of watch face styles enhances the potential for a totally unique creation. They are available in many colors and shapes. Combine your favorite watch face with any number of Italian charm links for a stylish and functional statement.
Each Italian charm watch features fourteen blank starter links that can be replaced by any standard 9mm Italian charm. Just like the Italian charm bracelet, links can be added or removed for a perfect fit.

While standard wrist watches can become boring or go out of style, Italian charm watches can always be changed to for an updated look. Styles range from classic and masculine to funky and eccentric. Customize by mixing and matching charms to offset or complement the watch style of your choice.

The modern Italian charm trend has its roots in Italy in the 1990s, but the history of this concept of jewelry extends back far beyond. Its lineage links today’s Italian Charm fashionistas with World War II soldiers, Egyptian pharaohs and English monarchs. Modernized charm bracelets may be considered a fashion trend but perhaps they are a part of the evolution…

Did King Tut Wear a Charm Bracelet?

Italian Charms and charm bracelets have a rich history, dating as far back as Ancient Egypt. It was during this age that elaborate jewelry emerged as identification and symbols of faith and luck. This included charms and charm bracelets. Due to their short life expectancy - thirty or forty years - the people of ancient Egypt spent much time and effort preparing for the afterlife. Charm bracelets and necklaces played an important role in this preparation, as protection and signs of status and identity in this life. Charms also served to identify the wearer to the gods in the afterlife.

Dark and Superstitious Ages

The role of the charm in the dark ages was loaded with superstition. Knights wore charms for protection and strength in battle, and to bring harm to enemies. Charms were also worn as expression of personal identity, representing family origin, profession, religious and political beliefs.

Charming Queen Victoria

This British Monarch sported charm bracelets purely as decorative adornments. This use represented a drastic shift in purpose in the collection of charms. Entering into the sphere of fashion, charm bracelets became a trend that spread throughout the British aristocracy. Popular charms featured family crests, glass beads and small lockets, set to dangle from bracelets.

WWII Brings Back European Charm

Upon their return to the US, soldiers leaving Europe purchased charm trinkets to bring home to their sweethearts. These adornments were hand-crafted from pieces of metal into shapes of items common to the local area.

Charm bracelets and Poodle Skirts

Charm bracelets became a must-have accessory for girls and women in the 1950s. A sort of jewelry-hope-chest, girls collected charms to commemorate rites of passage. Graduations, birthdays and weddings would be represented by individual charms. In this fashion, charm bracelets told a life story of the wearer and became a special personal keepsake.

Antiquing the 80s

In the 1980s vintage charms from decades before were again in vogue, hunted by antique dealers, collectors and flea marketers. These old charms were available at low cost and quickly became popular enough to inspire a new wave of charm bracelet styles. Dangling charm bracelets became the rage.

Born in the 90s: Italian Charms

An Italian jewelry company designed a new style of charm in the 1990s. No longer dangling with charms, the modular style charm bracelet is sleek and stylish. Soccer players in Europe were spotted wearing bracelets featuring their national flag. The craze ignited and spread across to the United States, where men and women are both still finding endless ways to express personality through Italian Charms.