Every year it’s the same drill: the Christmas decorations go up ever closer to the Halloween decorations just barely coming down!

The next thing you know, it’s Thanksgiving.

Then it’s the time for good cheer, for gathering our family and friends together and for celebrating the many joys of the season.

That’s when the morning paper weighs a ton because of all the sale circulars for the mother of all shopping days, Black Friday.

Sure, there are good deals to be had, but oftentimes getting to those deals requires dragging yourself out of bed at oh-dark-thirty so you can join the rush for the much-desired loss leader at your local retailer when it opens before the birds even start chirping.

Of course, the Internet has changed all that. It’s now quite possible (and even feasible) to make it through your entire shopping list without leaving the comfort of your warm, toasty home. You can even find some excellent deals that way.

But there’s still one problem with this comfy scenario: what do you get for that person who seems to have everything? What do you buy, other than clothes, for that person who is into fashion? What do you get for someone that really loves something personal? All these, and more, are where Italian Charms come in quite perfectly.

Italian Charms make great gifts for moms, dads, friends, and more. There are literally thousands and thousands of designs to choose from – and with many priced under $10, you’re sure to find something to fit your budget (OR, you can afford to get a few!)

As far as styles, you can select one designed for the person that collects a particular theme, like elephants, cats, angels and many more. Even better yet, you can get a Custom Laser Italian Charm or a Custom Photo Italian Charm!

These custom Italian charms allow you to choose your own name, phrase, or picture and have it placed on an Italian Charm – what better way to give a fun, fashionable, and most importantly, a thoughtful gift!

Italian Charms?

Ok, here’s the “brief” in case you’re new to the Italian Charm craze. Charms and keepsakes have been around for thousands of years, but it was not until the 20th century that charms became decorative fashion jewelry.

In 2001, fashion industries made it popular once again to wear charm bracelets. Since then a huge flood of styles and brands have entered America and most all of them have been accepted with open arms. Walk thru a crowd of people and you are almost sure to see a few bracelets, most of which have precious memories captured inside.

While traditional charms dangle, Italian charms feature individual pieces soldered flat onto the surface of a charm link. These flat, modular pieces form an Italian charm bracelet when they are hooked together.

Here’s the best part: since Italian charms have standardized sizing, they are compatible across brands!!

Building a Bracelet

The standard sized Italian charm is 9mm, which is measured diagonally across the piece. However, Italian charms are also available in small (5mm), large (13mm) and mega (18mm) sizes. Usually it takes around 16-18 charms to build a full bracelet.

When looking into purchasing Italian charms, you will come across the term starter bracelet. You will need to begin with a starter bracelet, which consists of eighteen blank links. In order to create a personalized Italian charm bracelet, these blank links are replaced, one by one, with selected designs of Italian charms.

The best bet is to replace around 3-5 of the blank links with Italian Charms – this will make a nice-looking Italian Charm Bracelet. Or, just start with 1 or 2 as a gift, and you’ve given someone a new collectible hobby!

Getting Started – Choose a Theme!

Italian charm collecting is similar to creating a wardrobe that is thoughtfully put together to reflect your personality and taste. Before you begin purchasing individual charms it is a good to decide on how the pieces will work together. You will want to choose a theme for your bracelet. This theme could be anything – a list of family names, pictures from a vacation, animals, hobbies, or anything that you think fits!

You may want to focus on one color or even color combination. With so many choices available in charms, you can get as specific as you’d like with your theme. Another idea is to make a keepsake bracelet that tells your life story. With this kind of a theme, your charms can be selected or even custom made to commemorate achievements, and various aspects of your personality and life.

Where to Buy?

Purchasing Italian charms on eBay is exciting because there are thousands from which to choose. Often times you’ll find quick-selling auctions that start as low at $0.99, at the same time, finding some of the most beautiful and high-end Italian Charms on the market.

And with that, Happy Holidays and Happy Charm Shopping!

Getting Creative with Italian Charms

Buying birthday gifts is tough! We want to give the perfect gift. Sometimes we just don’t know what to buy. This is what I faced this year as my long-time friend Amy’s birthday approached. What to get her? What to get her!

Amy’s favorite thing in the world is her little pug, Fluffy. She loves that dog! She also loves Italian charms. I thought to make her a Fluffy-themed Italian charms bracelet with custom and pre-designed Italian charms. As I was choosing Italian charms for Amy’s bracelet though, I had an Italian charms epiphany: Amy would love an Italian charms collar for Fluffy!

I picked Italian charms with doggies, ordered Italian charms with Amy’s pictures, Italian charms with Fluffy’s pictures, Italian charms with Amy and Fluffy together. I also bought standard Italian charms to fit the doggy theme. The collar was packed with photo Italian charms, laser Italian charms and painted Italian charms. It was beautiful! It was a blast!

By the time I put the Italian charms collar together I was really excited. The Italian charms looked great! What’s better, Amy loved Fluffy’s Italian charms collar and Fluffy did too. She said it was the perfect gift! Ooh the things you can do with Italian charms: the possibilities are endless!

Once you get comfortable with assembling an Italian charm bracelet, the process is quick and simple.  To begin, you may want to use a tool to hold the links open while adding an Italian charm to your Italian charm bracelet. Tools designed for Italian charm bracelets are available, but a nail file or another strong, small tool will also work well.

Begin with either a starter Italian charm bracelet or a partially assembled Italian charm bracelet. The Italian charms are attached to a loop on the back of the Italian charm bracelet. In order to add the Italian charm, you need to expand the Italian charm bracelet links outward, pressing down with your thumb to keep it in place.

First, hold the Italian charm bracelet in the palm of your hand leaving your index finger and thumb free. Grasp the opposite end of the Italian charm bracelet with the other hand and pull to stretch the links. The links will not break! This exposes the hooks to which the charms are attached.

Press down firmly on the Italian charm bracelet with your left hand to hold the links open. For a first time starter Italian charm bracelet you’ll begin at the last link on the right side. The link opening is on each Italian charms left side. Slide the Italian charm onto the end of the Italian charm bracelet while holding the link open.

Italian Charm Bracelet: Removing Links

To remove links, hold the Italian charm bracelet in your left hand. Allow your index finger and thumb to remain free. Grasp the opposite end of the Italian charm bracelet and pull outward.  Your hands should be horizontal. Loops on the back of each charm link allow you to hook charms on or off.  Using your right hand, slide the charm to the right then push the right link toward the bottom to remove it. The charm will slide downward and then off your Italian charm bracelet.

Rearranging Italian charm bracelets is fun.  Have a blast!

While considered a “standard size” Italian charm, Super Link Italian charms are twice as wide as standard 9mm charms. With the same height as standard charms, super link Italian charms are a long horizontal piece. Super link Italian charms are also easily linked with standard charms. In contrast to double link Italian charms which feature two separate pieces creating one design, super link Italian charms are one solid piece the size of two charms links.

Super link Italian charms are a great way to spice up your Italian charm collection!

The sizes of super link Italian charms allow for more detail and design on the charm as well as a varied look for your bracelet. Super link Italian charms are an eye-catching way to display your birthstone or zodiac sign. Their shape is also perfect for license plate Italian charms, showing off your home state!

If you love Italian charm bracelets as much as I do, you’re sure to love super link Italian charms too!

Italian Charms Starters & Accessories

Accessorizing your look with Italian charms has never been easier. Sport your Italian charms on a classic Italian charms bracelet or have fun exploring new styles! Italian charms add panache to key chains, cell straps, watches and necklaces. Which will become your favorite? 

Italian Charms Bracelets

Begin by creating your own signature Italian charms bracelet. With a starter Italian charms bracelet, getting started is simple and fun. A starter consists of a standard sized bracelet made of 18 blank links. As your collection of Italian charms grows, swap out blank links for personalized Italian charms. Blank tiles can be used to stagger Italian charms and add a clean look or an entire bracelet can be created from Italian charms. To get this look, simply select as many Italian charms as will fit your wrist. Have a blast with the endless possibilities of Italian charms bracelets!

Italian Charms Key Chains

Add some personality to your key set!  A key chain is ideal for the Italian charms beginner. An Italian charms key chain is a great way to get started and enjoy your Italian charms every day, Veterans will love the versatility!  Italian charms can be swapped between bracelets and key chains. Show your style in every season with an Italian charms key chain to reflect holidays or your favorite sports team.

Italian Charms Necklaces 

Show off your favorite Italian charms on a necklace. Dangling like a pendant, the Italian charms can be switched to suit your mood. Italian charms necklaces are a great way to draw attention to that special Italian Charm or make a strong, stylish statement.  Birthstone Italian Charms are striking on a necklace, and fun designs make a great conversation piece.

Italian Charms Cell Straps

Face it: Your cell phone goes everywhere with you - so should your favorite Italian Charms! Each Italian charms strap loops onto your phone and comes with one blank link. Adding your own style is easy when you hook as many Italian charms as you’d like onto the starter link. Accessorize with an Italian charms cell strap and make your phone truly unique.

Italian Charms Watches

Go beyond the Italian charms bracelet! Italian charms add inspiration to your wrist watch with these special designs. Each Italian charms watch features fourteen blank links that can be swapped with your personally selected Italian Charms.

Whatever your Italian Charms style, have fun!  There’s a world of Italian charms out there just waiting to be explored!

The best way to display your collection of Italian charms is by wearing your Italian charms! You can enjoy your Italian charms on bracelets, cell phone straps, necklaces and key chains. However, when your collection grows large, you may need to find new ways to display your Italian charms.

Have you ever thought of displaying your own Italian charms collection? Well Italian charms display cases are available in many designs to suit your style. Fill your Italian charms display with seasonal, holiday or birthday Italian charms.  Italian charms displays are a great way to show off those Italian charms you love but can’t wear year-round.

There are many things you can do with your Italian charms display.  Display a specific theme of Italian charms. Then, if you want to change the look of your Italian charms bracelet, you can select from your own selection of Italian charms to create that special combination. Another idea is to keep a display case of Italian charms that you intend to give as gifts. When a birthday or holiday approaches, your Italian charms display case is ready with a collection of charms to choose from.

Italian charms display cases are a great way to show off your favorite Italian charms at any time!

See more of your favorite charm! Double links are twice the charm, but feature one design. With this fun style one image is split in half, hooking together to create one look.
Like the Super Link Italian charm, the double link is twice as wide as the standard charm. What is the difference? The double link is actually two separate charms that link together to create one design. The Superlink is one charm piece, the size and shape of two separate standard sized links.
The double link is not restricted to two links to complete its design. You may occasionally see three links together to form one image.

Italian charms got their start in Italy and the trend ignited and quickly spread, becoming a hot style in accessorizing around the world. You can spot Italian charm bracelets on your favorite athlete or celebrity and see them featured in fashion magazines.

Italian charms are a fun and stylish way to accessorize your look and express your interests. Flat, stainless steel interlocking links hook together to create a one of a kind Italian charm bracelet, keychain, cell phone strap or watch. Instead of dangling charms, Italian charms are soldered to these flat links creating a sleek look. Links can be easily unhooked and reconfigured or replaced to suit your mood.

You can select from thousands of styles and designs of Italian charms. There are charms to reflect every hobby, career and personality. From hand-painted enamel charms, photo charms, laser charms to licensed charms of favorite characters and logos, the possibilities are endless! You are the creator of a truly unique piece of jewelry with Italian charms.

How many links do I need for a full Italian charm bracelet?

While Italian charms are available in small (5mm), medium (9mm), large (13mm) and mega (18mm) sizes, the standard size is the medium 9mm charm. The standard sized bracelet features eighteen links. Since the sizes are consistent across brands, your charms will always be compatible. Italian charm bracelets are adjustable, so you can add or remove links for a perfect fit. The following size chart is a good guideline:

• Child: 14 links
• Youth: 16 links
• Adult Small: 17 links
• Adult Medium: 18 links
• Adult Large: 19 links
• Adult Extra Large: 20 links

Are Italian charms for women?

Italian charms are for everyone! Children love creating their own, and since they are durable kids can wear them daily. Men are also wearing Italian Charm bracelets. More and more masculine styles have been designed and are available. Key chains and cell phone straps are also stylish choices for men.

So, how do I get started on my Italian charm bracelet?

You can begin with a starter bracelet which consists of the standard eighteen blank links. Add your charms to the starter as you collect, replacing blank links to create your own look. Or, you can simply select the number of Italian charms to make an entire bracelet tailored to your personality!

Exclusive to Pugster, these charms were introduced in 2004 and touted as the next generation in Italian charm design. This collection of charms is a cut above the rest! Double thick enamel allows for great detail in design and superior durability.

The X2 charm recently burst onto the scene, offering unsurpassed detail on the hand-painted enamel front. Artwork and highly detailed scenes can be featured on X2 charms with an intricacy never seen before on Italian charms. This is also ideal for charm series that tell a story, such as fairytale charms. With the X2, the characters and sceneries really come to life!

On top of boasting intricate detail, the X2 charms are a bit easier to link and unlink. This is due to their increased depth. They are compatible with all standard Italian charms, but the slight variation in thickness makes them easier to handle.
Color really pops on the X2 charm. Showcase your chosen design with the extra rich, vivid colors of this collection. A dash of glitter in the enamel overlay adds extra shimmer and glow to the design.

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.