Italian charm bracelets...

[lenshanem]

OK, OK, I know... I'm starting one kinda late.
Just really saw these and I love them!
I've been searching on ebay and I need some help.
It seems there is a cheaper bracelet and then a nicer one?
Same with the charms?
How do I know what is the nice stuff on ebay? Will the cheaper charms turn color?
I ordered a Mickey birthstone charm before I realized there is a difference. Can I mix the cheaper charms with the nicer ones or do they not look good mixed together?
Is there a website somewhere that list all the different charms that have come out?
Thanks!

 

[Figgy]

IF you are going with the older bracelets there are definitely some differences. The charms that were sold at the DS in the 90s were all slightly on the heavy side but so awesome. Many had moving parts of the characters as well..HEHE They were all numbered and were sterling silver. I don't collect the newer ones although I am planning to add some of the more recent characters to my collection. Everynow and then you can get a whole bracelet with all the characters from one series on ebay. I got lucky and got one like that a few years ago and am just getting around to figuring out what to do with my extras on those. You have to figure out if you are going to go for a series or just your favorite characters. If you have any questions about specific charms feel free to email me.


figgy@pinpics.com

 

[lenshanem]

Thansk Figgy. I'm sending you an email.

 

[Chip and Dale]

Hi,

I've been collecting the Italian charms for awhile. The cheaper charms seem to look OK if you don't put them directly next to one of the better quality ones. I put the Mickey logo links between mine to separate them. But that's just my opinion. The cheaper charms are base metal and the more expensive ones are stainless steel and 18K ( I think) gold. I haven't had my "cheaper" ones turn color.

The cheaper charms aren't assembled to take really hard use, so if you're the type to bang around your jewelry, be aware the stones or character faces just may fall off. I have some more expensive dangle charms which seem to take anything I can dish out, even when worn on a daily basis.

As far as I know, there is no list of what charms exist out there. Try putting "Italian charms" in a search engine. You'll be surprised what shows up. If you'd like, you can e-mail me and I'll send you links to some of the on-line dealers that I've bought from.

Hope this helps--

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks Chip and Dale. I sent you an email, too!

 

[Stitchfan]

I'd really like to buy some charms on my next trip down, does anyone know if they sell necklaces for the charms or just bracelets? Thanks!!!

 

[elgerber]

I have a couple of Disney Italian Charm bracelets. My dd also has one. She has the cheaper style and mine is stainless steel. I think there is a difference. Like the other poster said, the cheaper ones cannot take daily wear if you bang into stuff or anything. My dd had one of her Mickey gems pop off of hers two weeks after we bought it. All of mine have been worn daily for a year and a half, and all of them, including the dangles are still perfect. And believe me, the dangles have been through some rought stuff, they get caught inside the links and on clothing etc. You can tell the difference by the inscription on the inside of the charms. The nicer ones will say Walt Disney Collection, stainless steel on the inside. On e-bay I think if they are too inexpensive, they are probably not the stainless steel.

One good place to see which ones are out there is www.dollsandducks.com ,that's where I ususally look to see what's new.

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks for the new link. Hadn't seen that one.

 

[Angelrose]

I love my Disney Italian charm bracelet. Here is another link for you that seems to have the best prices on Disney and other charms as well.

http://www.simply-shopping.com/