Charm Bracelet for DD

[bam218]

Hello there... My dd is turning 13 next month and I would like to get her something special. I'm thinking a charm bracelet.. Something in silver. I looked on Amazon and saw sterling silver and stainless steel. What's the difference? How hard is it to actually put the charms on?

Any tips, ideas or suggestion on where to purchase the bracelet and charms would be great! Of course without breaking the bank..

Thank you!
Barbara mom to Sierra & Kayla

 

[mjkacmom]

Around here, Alex and Ani are what the girls wear - stackable charm bracelets for about $28 each.

 

[stargazertechie]

Sterling silver is a silver alloy. It's 92.5% real silver, and then the remainder is usually copper.

Stainless steel is a steel alloy. It has no silver in it (but is "silver" in color).

Stainless steel is often less expensive, and it does not tarnish. Some people are allergic to sterling silver (like my husband) but do not react to stainless steel.

If you're looking for heirloom-quality jewelry, I'd go with the sterling. Otherwise go with the stainless steel.

I have a pandora-style bracelet (Bella Perlina brand) and I love it. It's stainless steel

 

[tinkerone]

i remember my friends having the old type of charm bracelets but i haven't seen them in forever. its all pretty much pandora or camilla now, with those type of charms.
i love my camilla, i actually have two. you can't go wrong with them and while they can be a bit on the higher cost side, they are great quality. i have a time capsule for my granddaughter in which i put in a bracelet and i put a new charm in it for every birthday she has. she will receive the time capsule on her 21st birthday.
walk into a jewellery store and look at what they offer. some offer their own brand but they are all pretty much the same in style. just be carful that if yoou do pick one that beads from other lines will fit and then you will have thousands of beads to pick from when you want to add.
don't just look on websites, go and see them up close.

 

[redcubfan]

I have three charm bracelets that I regularly wear. My "good" one was a gift when I was 13 (I'm 44 now) and it's sterling silver. My inexpensive one is from all my Disney trips (bought the bracelet at a Disney gift shop and add charms each trip). The third was my Grandmothers gold bracelet with her charms. Anyway, my point is that I get comments about them every time I wear one, and I teach high school. My students want to know the stories behind the charms. So, even though traditional-style charm bracelets are not as popular as they once were, teens still think they're interesting (in my experience).
My only advice is to have a jeweler put each charm on the bracelet with a split ring (like a mini key ring). The split ring is not expensive, and it makes the charms more secure and less likely to fall off. Also make sure the bracelet has a very secure clasp because it will get heavier each time a charm is added.

 

[usd2bmd]

I would go for an Alex and Ani bracelet. there are so many choices and you can get her a different bracelet for almost any occasion or for no occasion at all.

I have a Pandora that is almost full and two Alex and Ani bracelets. I like the fact that with Alex and Ani you're done when you buy the bracelet. You don't have to get her anymore if you don't want to and she can wear it without it looking "unfinished" like charm bracelets or Pandora's sometimes do.

 

[havaneselover]

My DD (soon to be 11) has Chamilia because they have Disney and special Disney cruise charms.

I think Pandora is starting to do Disney??? This may not matter for your 13 year old.

Pandora is doing a free bracelet promotion from 9/18-9/21 I believe.

 

[soniam]

For traditional style bracelets and charms, James Avery is a good source. I have a few bracelets. I like to use silver slip rings to attach the charms onto the bracelet. The slip rings are very small rings, like the bigger rings used on key chains. It allows me to move them around on the bracelet or between bracelets. I like to get one for places I visit. I can't always find them while on vacation, but I can usually find one on Amazon. I started out with my mother's bracelet and charms, so I have stuck with that style.

 

[sookie]

My DD (soon to be 11) has Chamilia because they have Disney and special Disney cruise charms.

I think Pandora is starting to do Disney??? This may not matter for your 13 year old.

Pandora is doing a free bracelet promotion from 9/18-9/21 I believe.

Pandora will be supplying Disney beads now, they are even becoming a "Wishes" sponsor.

 

[havaneselover]

Pandora will be supplying Disney beads now, they are even becoming a "Wishes" sponsor.

I wonder who will do the Disney cruise beads.

 

[3boymthr]

Do you want heirloom quality?

If yes, go sterling and choose Chamillia or Pandora.

Do you want something that will be worth something beyond the value of the silver years from now?

Go Tiffany. Yup, they have charm bracelets still. The price of course is expensive ($250+) for a starter bracelet with return to Tiffany charm, but they have a lot of charms and when she's 50 the bracelet will be worth what you paid for it if not more.

If you just want something for her to build memories on and have it be stylish?

Alex and Ani