Vintage Precious
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 Precious Moments JULY Plate Vintage 1983 $12.99 Time Remaining: 29d 11h 59m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 |
 1989 VINTAGE PRECIOUS MOMENTS JUST MARRIED MUSIC BOX PLAYS WEDDING MARCH $5.00 Time Remaining: 3h 5m |
 Vintage 1997 Precious Moment Swinging Friendship Heart Friendship Hits the Spot $15.75 Time Remaining: 6h 57m |
 1992 VINTAGE PRECIOUS MOMENTS CHARACTERS STICKER SHEET $4.99 Time Remaining: 24d 50m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 |
 Applause Precious Moments Plush Lamb with Locket that opens Vintage 1985 $8.99 Time Remaining: 9h 29m Buy It Now for only: $11.99 |
 Vintage Precious Moments Figurine Guide Catalog 1986 $4.00 Time Remaining: 26d 20h 50m Buy It Now for only: $4.00 |
 BEAUTIFUL VINTAGE PRECIOUS MOMENTS MOTHER LOCKET OPENS FOR 4 PHOTOS $4.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 10h 31m |
 Vintage 1987 Precious Moments Ornament Im a Possibility Champ with Box $9.99 Time Remaining: 11h 38m |
 Vintage 1990 Precious Moments LISA Cup or Mug $5.95 Time Remaining: 19d 8h 23m Buy It Now for only: $5.95 |
 Precious Moments Thats What Friends are For 1990 Vintage Excellent condition $5.00 Time Remaining: 12h 39m |
 Vintage 1986 Precious Moments Thank you God for Mom Mug Cup Enesco $22.00 Time Remaining: 29d 11h 11m Buy It Now for only: $22.00 |
 VINTAGE WITH BOX Precious Moments LOT Christmas Wedding 730007 $11.50 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 12h 48m |
 Vintage 1994 Precious Moments NIB Plate Bring The Little Ones To Jesus in Box $2.99 Time Remaining: 13h 23m Buy It Now for only: $8.00 |
 Precious Moments Embroidery Kit Sachet Jesus Loves Me NEW 4 x 3 1984 Vintage $2.53 Time Remaining: 26d 13m Buy It Now for only: $2.53 |
 Vintage Precious Moments Figurine Lot Enesco w Boxes $9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 10h 23m |
 Vintage 1993 Precious Moments GRANDDAUGHTER Cup or Mug $5.95 Time Remaining: 19d 8h 23m Buy It Now for only: $5.95 |
 Precious Moments Thank you God for Mom mug 1984 VINTAGE $3.99 Time Remaining: 1d 11h 31m |
 VINTAGE 1983 PRECIOUS MOMENTS BRIDESMAID BRIDAL PARTY WEDDING SERIES FIGURINE $9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 1m |
 Vintage Precious Moments Lights Girl Christmas Ornament Musical Figurine Decor $15.99 Time Remaining: 28d 34m Buy It Now for only: $15.99 |
 Precious Moments Doll BONNIE w Mouse Vintage Plush Stuffed Cloth Old Fashioned $10.99 Time Remaining: 1d 23h 54m |
 Vintage 1994 Precious Moments Musical Christmas Ornament Lights boy Decoration $15.99 Time Remaining: 27d 23h 15m Buy It Now for only: $15.99 |
 Vintage Precious Moments Plush Stuffed Donkey $15.00 Time Remaining: 2d 2h 27m Buy It Now for only: $17.00 |
 Vintage Enesco Precious Moments Ark Photo Frame $15.99 Time Remaining: 2d 3h 25m |
 CLEARANCE VINTAGE 1982 PRECIOUS MOMENTS LOVE IS PATIENT CUP MUG $4.99 Time Remaining: 29d 17m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 |
 Precious Moments Get Into The Habit Of Prayer 12203 1984 Vintage RARE $8.00 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 24m Buy It Now for only: $16.00 |
 Vintage 1978 Precious Moments Love Is Kind Bell Enesco $3.99 Time Remaining: 4d 8h 45m Buy It Now for only: $3.99 |
 Vintage Precious Moments Johnathan David Mother Sew Dear copyright 1979 $14.99 Time Remaining: 2d 7h 47m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
 Precious Moments bells set of 6 vintage 1980 and 1985 $35.00 Time Remaining: 2d 8h 39m Buy It Now for only: $55.00 |
 VINTAGE 1985 Enesco Samuel Butcher PRECIOUS MEOMENTS Collectors CLUB Keychain $5.99 Time Remaining: 28d 4h 8m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 Lot of 2 Vintage Precious Moments Porcelain Bisque Boy Cross Jesus loves me +++ $9.99 Time Remaining: 2d 9h 6m |
 VINTAGE PRECIOUS MOMENTS WOOD WALL PLAQUE FRIENDSHIP $24.99 Time Remaining: 15d 6h 58m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
 VINTAGE LOT 3 PRECIOUS MOMENTS COLLECTION PIN BUTTONS 1 KRYSTONIA ENESCO EDITION $9.99 Time Remaining: 2d 9h 16m |
 Precious Moments Porcelain Bell With Cross Vintage 1990 $3.89 Time Remaining: 2d 10h 8m Buy It Now for only: $7.78 |
 Vintage 1989 Precious Moments MARILYN Cup or Mug $5.95 Time Remaining: 19d 8h 23m Buy It Now for only: $5.95 |
 VINTAGE PRECIOUS MOMENTS FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY GIRL WINTER SEASON FIGURINE 109991 $5.00 Time Remaining: 2d 10h 25m |
 1978 VINTAGE PRECIOUS MOMENTS BOY GIRL LOVE COUPLE LOVE ONE ANOTHER $6.99 Time Remaining: 8h 45m Buy It Now for only: $6.99 |
 Precious Moments Vintage Tell It To Jesus Original Box No Chips Or Cracks $5.99 Time Remaining: 2d 10h 38m |
 Precious Moments AUGUST collector plate 1983 VINTAGE 207 454 L ENESCO $2.50 Time Remaining: 2d 10h 40m Buy It Now for only: $3.75 |
 Vintage 1984 Precious Moments Baby Picture Frame by Enesco $10.90 Time Remaining: 17d 3h 12m Buy It Now for only: $10.90 |
 Precious Moments Vintage God Is Love Dear Valentine Original Box Rare $2.99 Time Remaining: 2d 10h 41m |
 Vintage 1989 Precious Moments JANET Cup or Mug $5.95 Time Remaining: 19d 8h 23m Buy It Now for only: $5.95 |
 VINTAGE SEALED PRECIOUS MOMENTS LOT 3 NEW PLAQUES $5.00 Time Remaining: 2d 21h 29m |
 3 Vintage Jonathan David Precious Moments Wedding Figurines $19.99 Time Remaining: 2d 23h 42m |
 Vintage 1989 Precious Moments CATHY Cup or Mug $5.95 Time Remaining: 19d 8h 23m Buy It Now for only: $5.95 |
 Vintage Adorable Precious Moments Whose Gonna Fill Your Shoes Figurine $9.99 Time Remaining: 3d 16m |
 Vintage Precious Moments 6 Collectible Vase 1985 LOW PRICE $4.45 Time Remaining: 11d 1h 40m Buy It Now for only: $4.45 |
 4 Vintage precious moments ornaments $8.99 Time Remaining: 3d 5h 33m |
 Precious Moments lot of 5 Vintage 70s and 80s $25.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3d 8h 48m |
 Vintage 1987 Enesco Precious Moments Memories of Our Wedding Samuel Butcher $13.99 Time Remaining: 21d 10h 12m Buy It Now for only: $13.99 |
 Vintage Precious Moments Brighten Someones Day collectible gift 1987 NLA HTF NIB $15.99 Time Remaining: 3d 8h 51m |
 CUTE Vintage 1994 PRECIOUS MOMENTS Christmas PLATE Tie Dings Of JOY Sam Butcher $9.49 Time Remaining: 17d 3h 30m Buy It Now for only: $9.49 |
 Vintage Precious Moments Egg Trinket Box No Reserve $2.99 Time Remaining: 3d 10h 46m |
 LOT OF 2 VINTAGE PRECIOUS MOMENTS BIRTHDAY MONTHS MAY JULY COLLECTOR PLATES $5.99 Time Remaining: 3d 10h 57m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 Vintage 1987 Precious Moments Child Divided Plate Melamine God is Great God is $4.99 Time Remaining: 20d 1h 12m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 |
 Collectible Precious Moments BN Retired Say I Do Marriage Proposal Vintage $69.99 Time Remaining: 3d 12h 54m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 |
 Vintage Precious Moments Porcelain Doll Friends Buddies Pink Rhea 1617 $14.95 Time Remaining: 1d 5h 25m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 |
 Precious Moments Babys First Christmas Mini Water Dome 1987 Vintage $4.95 Time Remaining: 3d 17h 17m |
 Vintage OH HOW I LOVE JESUS Precious Moments Picture Frame COLLECTABLE $24.99 Time Remaining: 3d 20h 34m |
 Vintage 1985 PRECIOUS MOMENTS Heart Shaped TRINKET BOX Sam Butcher FOREVER MINE $10.49 Time Remaining: 17d 3h 30m Buy It Now for only: $10.49 |
 Vintage Precious Moments collectors plate 1979 $17.99 Time Remaining: 4d 5h 5m Buy It Now for only: $23.99 |
 Vintage PRECIOUS MOMENTS THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE FUTURE FIGURINE Statue 1979 $38.00 Time Remaining: 21d 2h 49m Buy It Now for only: $38.00 |
 Vintage Precious Moments Music Box $30.00 Time Remaining: 4d 8h 16m Buy It Now for only: $45.00 |
 Rare Vintage 13 Precious Moments Boy and Girl Praying Angels Statues Large $24.95 Time Remaining: 5d 3h 44m |
 RARE Vtg 1980 PRECIOUS MOMENTS Jigsaw Puzzle DARLING $9.99 Time Remaining: 2d 3h 20m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 Vintage Precious Moments Jesus Loves Me 1977 Jonathan David Figurine $0.99 Time Remaining: 5d 3h 53m |
 VINTAGE PRECIOUS MOMENTS DECOUPAGE EGG 1989 ORNAMENT $15.00 Time Remaining: 9d 12h 27m Buy It Now for only: $15.00 |
 Rare Vintage Precious Moments pair of Nativity Statues Large 12 inches tall $24.95 Time Remaining: 5d 3h 54m |
 Lot of Vintage Precious Moments Collectibles January $9.99 Time Remaining: 5d 4h 28m Buy It Now for only: $35.00 |
 Vintage 1985 PRECIOUS MOMENTS Heart Shaped TRINKET BOX Sam Butcher JANUARY $11.49 Time Remaining: 17d 3h 30m Buy It Now for only: $11.49 |
 Vintage Precious Moments Praise The Lord Anyhow 1976 Jonathan David Figurine $0.99 Time Remaining: 5d 5h 6m |
 VINTAGE PRECIOUS MOMENTS ROLLING TOY CHEST TOY BOX CIRCA 1977 HALLMARK COMPANY $119.99 Time Remaining: 20d 5h 23m Buy It Now for only: $119.99 |
 VINTAGE 2000 PRECIOUS MOMENTS BY ENESCO GRADUATION FEMALE PICTURE FRAME $7.99 Time Remaining: 5d 6h 48m Buy It Now for only: $10.00 |
 Vintage Precious Moments 1993 Collection Mug This Is The Day $5.95 Time Remaining: 5d 7h 1m |
 PRECIOUS MOMENTS BUNNY RABBIT PLUSH BEANIE TENDER TAILS 98 NWT VTG STYLE EASTER $9.34 Time Remaining: 11d 9h 37m Buy It Now for only: $9.34 |
 VINTAGE PRECIOUS MOMENTS CROSS NECKLACE $18.99 Time Remaining: 5d 7h 40m |
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Charms and amulets of one sort or another have been around for thousands of years. They are well documented in ancient Egypt, Rome, and many other historical eras as talismans worn to ward off evil spirits or bring luck. For this article I'm focusing on the rise in popularity of charms and charm bracelets in recent times.
England's Queen Victoria wore charms on bracelets and necklaces throughout her reign, and is credited with starting a fashion trend among Europeans. Charms of the Victorian era were likely made from sterling silver and often included gemstones. The styles included puffy hearts, lockets, coins, and mechanical charms which had a moving part.
Mourning charms were also popularized by Queen Victoria. These were usually some type of locket or tiny container filled with hair cut from a deceased loved one. She wore the hair of her beloved Prince Albert in a tiny compartment after his death. Other common trinkets women wore as charms were teeth & claws, stones, and shells. These usually represented something meaningful or lucky to the owner.
Moving into the 20th century and the industrial revolution, manufacturers began turning out charms of other materials and styles. With the Art Nouveau period of the early 1900s there were flowing forms of ornate flowers and animals. During the 1920s and 1930s Art Deco was all the rage and the charms became more geometric and angular. Also during this period designers began to incorporate ivory, animal teeth & bone, wood, plastics, and other materials into jewelry of all types.
Some fashion icons of the early 20th century that helped fuel the charm bracelet craze were the Duchess of Windsor, and designers Coco Chanel, and Elsa Shiaparelli. The Duchess of Windsor wore a Cartier bracelet of nine small crosses, each made from precious gemstones on her wedding day. The bracelet was a gift from her husband. Both Coco Chanel and Elsa Shiaparelli wore large fob style bracelets in public, and carried them in their jewelry lines. Their bracelets were reproduced by jewelry houses both in Europe and in America and available at prices that were affordable to the masses.
During the 1950s charm bracelets were more popular than ever and there were a few designers and companies that created the most sought after treasures of the period. One was Walter Lampl. He is most famous for his enamel hearts, but he also created an assortment of styles that appealed to a wide spectrum of women and girls and represented special moments and events in their lives. It became customary for girls to begin charm bracelets when they were young and add to them during the phases of their lives. The Lampl charms of the 1950s are some of the most desirable for collectors today and can fetch several hundred dollars for a sterling charm.
The 1950s were the golden years for charm bracelets. They were spotted in magazines on the arms of celebrities and politicians wives. Mamie Eisenhower and Jacqueline Kennedy showed off their bracelets in photos of the period. Elizabeth Taylor had a large collection of charm bracelets and wore one almost everywhere. Lucille Ball wore a musical theme bracelet that was presented to her by her musician husband Desi Arnaz.
Women often bought bracelets for themselves and added a charm for each special event in their lives. Travel became more common among everyday families and wives purchased travel souvenirs from tourist spots. They started bracelets for their young daughters, adding memento charms as they grew, thereby passing the tradition to the next generation.
The women's movement of the 1960s ended the explosion of popularity for the charm bracelet. But only temporarily, thank goodness. The marriage, homemaker, and motherhood goals of earlier times were replaced with freedom and career ideals and charm bracelets seemed out of touch. Besides who would wear a dangly dainty charm bracelet with hippee beads and bell bottoms?
Now everything old is collectible again and charm bracelets are hotter than ever. Vintage charms of yesteryear are available and affordable thanks to the internet. On-line charm discussion forums are easy to join. There are groups devoted to charm collecting on Facebook. Collectors write books and articles making it easy to educate one's self about various styles and designers. Clubs with members around the world meet to exchange ideas, show off their collections, and trade charms. It's an addicting passion but one that is growing swiftly. Being able to wear your collection is an added bonus and makes it all the more exciting. Add to that the investment potential of precious metals and gems and it's easy to see why a charm bracelet is an accessory that's here to stay.
Wanda Fitzgerald is a Florida native and an vintage charm collector who loves to share her adventures in an e-commerce jewelry business with anyone who is interested. If you want more information on vintage charms and charm bracelets visit her blog at http://www.charmchatter.com, and also http://thecharmcellar.com to purchase vintage jewelry from her website.