"Sweet 16", my newest charm proudly announced for me. It was my birthday and once again I was excited to have a new charm to add to my bracelet. My mama bought me a charm bracelet when I was about 10 and I started collecting charms at that time. As a woman I now add my own charms that represent my favorite hobbies (children), and vacations. You could say that my charm bracelet grew up with me since today my bracelet has charms of my college insignia, the Eiffel Tower, wedding bells and one for each of our children.

Charm bracelets are not a new fad or an outdated one. Today charm bracelets are once again becoming "in" and they have a long and rich history. The first charm bracelets were probably worn by the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians and Hittites from 500 to 400 B.C. Those charms were made of lapis lazuli, rock crystal and other gems. They were often inscribed with small designs or pictures. Sadly, they also often were believed to have special powers.

By the 1890's charms had become a fashion statement. In Victorian England, where elegant and elaborate jewelry was the style, charm bracelets were standard fixtures. Queen Victoria ignited the next big wave of charm wearing. She wore a charm bracelet of small lockets containing family portraits. It was at this stage that charms had a dramatic change of purpose. They went from being practical tools to becoming decorative fashion jewelry. Small lockets, glass beads and family crests that hung on bracelets and necklaces were all the rage.

Charm bracelets were most popular in the U.S. in the 1940's and 1950's. Soldiers often picked up charms from every city they visited during World War II, and the fashion trend itself continued into times of peace. The end of WWII saw the explosion of charm jewelry as we know it today. Soldiers leaving Europe and islands in the Pacific purchased little handmade trinkets as gifts to bring home to their sweethearts. Native craftsmen fashioned small bits of metal into little replicas of items common to the locale. Enterprising jewelers in the States quickly picked up on the trend to create charms for all occasions.

In the 1940's celluloid (an early plastic) charms were sold from vending machines. These charms were collected by kids and worn on bracelets and necklaces of string and beaded chain (dog tag chain). Many of the themes are common - jungle animals, sports, sailing ships, army men, and family pets. But there were a number of commercial applications as well, primarily from comic strips: Popeye, Betty Boop, Mickey Mouse, the Seven Dwarfs, Orphan Annie are just a few examples.

By the 1950's, the charm bracelet was a must-have accessory for girls and women. Major rites of passage - 16th birthdays, graduations, weddings, travel and the arrival of children - were all recorded on the links of their bracelets. Today some of these vintage bracelets sell for two to three thousand dollars at auction.

The charm bracelet began to disappear from the fashion scene during the early 1970's. Disco was in and bare gold chains became the new status symbol. But in the mid-1980s charm bracelets reappeared and in the 90s there began a huge demand for vintage charms and charm bracelets.

My favorite piece of fascinating history about charms is from the time of the Roman Empire. Christians would pull the "ichthys" (fish) charm from underneath their garments to identify themselves to other Christians to gain entry into secret, forbidden worship services. The Jewish scholar of that same time would write passages from Jewish law on tiny slips of parchment and carefully insert the slips into a small, golden amulet that was worn around his neck. This of act reverence and holiness was to signify his intent to keep the law close to his heart.

Today, charms remain a popular keepsake and a growing trend is theme charm bracelets. For example, I could split up my charms on to two bracelets with one of them having all the charms from places we have visited. This would be a travel theme. Other popular ways to use charms is with a single charm worn as a pendant. Some women wear a cluster of single meaningful charms on a chain or attached with a charm holder. Another thing I have seen recently are charms for the stems of glassware, wedding cakes, shoes, and even, the family pet.

A charm bracelet is a dainty, feminine, lovely and sentimental keepsake that will provide an elegant and feminine set of memories. Guess what Randy and I bought for Dessaly's 10th birthday last May? A sterling charm bracelet. Since you can buy a sterling charm for as little as $12 it is the perfect gift. I wonder what Kiley and Haley will get on their 10th birthdays? If they shake their gift box they will hear that musical sound of "tinkle, tinkle, tinkle". And NO, it has nothing to do with potty training!

Lorrie Flem has been honored to be the happy rib of Randy for 20 years. They make their home in Maple Valley, Washington until they reach the mansion Jesus is preparing for them. She considers it a privilege to be a stay-at-home homeschooling mom to their always precious and often precocious eight children.

Lorrie has always been prone to talk and as a result she has written a number of books, is the publisher of TEACH Magazine, a FREE bi-monthly ezine, and speaks nationally at conferences, retreats, and teas. Lorrie is known for her humorous and gentle words of encouragement to other keepers of the home. See her and get a sample of TEACH -- The Magazine that Puts the Home in Homeschooling -- For Mothers of Today with Yesterday's Values, at www.TEACHmagazine.com.