Charms and Charm Bracelets
The Complete Guide

Book Reviews

From Christchurch City Libraries (August 28,  2005)
A wonderful history of charms and charm bracelets, with over 300 colour pictures of charms, bracelets and advertisements from the 19th century until the present. Serious collectors and hopeful sellers will use the price guide, jewellery and fashion historians will peruse the stunning illustrations and sad old librarians will love it for its commendable organisation – it has a good glossary of frequently used terms, a bibliography and a useful index.

From The San Diego Tribune (May 15,  2005) discussing three newly released books on charms
Of the three, by far the most useful to the collector is the well-researched Joanne Schwartz book, providing first a chronological history, from the love tokens of the late 19th century to Beatles bracelets of the 1960s, then focusing on such specialty subjects as hearts and travel tokens, good luck charms, animals and the risque. Added features include information on materials used, production methods, enameling and engraving, reproductions of vintage catalog pages, identifying makers' marks, a useful glossary and hundreds of prices for individual items. Click here to read the entire article.

From Midwest Book Review (March 2005)
"Charms and Charm Bracelets: The Complete Guide is a price guide to charm bracelets from the 19th century to the present, illustrated with over 300 color photographs and featuring jewelry ranging in composition from gold to plastic. Written by an enthusiastic collector of antique jewelry, Charms and Charm Bracelets discusses techniques in making charms, trends in charm and jewelry making throughout the decades, factors to consider when evaluating and appraising specific pieces of charm jewelry, and much more. A "must-have" resource for serious collectors, and a treasury to page through for art lovers interested in this unique form of adornment."

From the Library Journal (February 15, 2005)
Charm bracelets, by their nature, encourage the collecting of charms in order to customize one's own unique bracelet.  Aimed at collectors of vintage charms and bracelets, this book describes 19th- and 20th-century pieces with photographs for identification and estimated current prices.  Collectors know that vintage bracelets should be kept as they are, but individual charms can find new life on modern jewelry.  Recommended for public libraries catering to jewelry enthusiasts.

Book Summary
Virtually every American woman has a charm or two tucked away somewhere or has inherited a charm bracelet from a relative. Charm collecting has grown into a competitive and popular pastime with an International following. Consider the evidence - eBay lists over 20,000 vintage charms and bracelets daily, and prices for older pieces continue to escalate. This a much-needed, comprehensive, and entertaining guide to charms and charm bracelets profusely illustrated with over 300 color photographs. It shows the wide variety of styles ranging from gold to plastic and from 19th century to the present. Readers will learn to date and determine the value of charms and appreciate their history and uses over the years. Collectors, dealers, jewelry and fashion historians, and appraisers will enjoy the many beautiful examples. This new book is a great resource for jewelry collectors everywhere.
 

Copyright © 2004-2005. Joanne & Bob Schwartz. All rights reserved.
Revised: 03/19/05.