Sterling Silver Charms--How do you attach them to bracelets?

[Princess Glenda]

For those of you who own Sterling Silver Charm Bracelets and Charms...

How do you attach the charms to your bracelet? When I was young my mother had my charms permanently soldered to the bracelet. Is this still the best way to do it OR do any of you use SPLIT RINGS to attach the charms? If you do--is this a safe alternative and what size of split ring do you use for the Diseny size charms? I see online that there are 5mm, 6mm, 7mm split rings and I don't know which size would be better. Thanks for the input.

 

[trampslady]

I have about a zillion dollars invested in my sterling Disney charms--it has become an addiction. However, I'm not crazy about the Toy Story ones, and I keep putting the Monsters, Inc. ones back saying I don't need them. I have had them all permanently soldered on rings. I have the kind of bracelets that are the solid sterling ring with little balls on the end so that you can slide charms on and off. I love them. This way I can wear potato heads one day and princesses the next!

 

[jacksmom]

I was wondering about this also! If you buy a nicer silver one, will they attach them to your bracelet for you? Or, do you have to take them to your jeweler at home?

 

[Princess Glenda]

As far as I know they have to be taken to a local jeweler to be soldered on. I read somewhere that it costs $5 a charm to have them permanently attached. That is why I wondered about the SPLIT RING alternative. The split rings resemble a keyring. They are sterling silver and cost less than $.50 each.

 

[memymomonica]

I just attach them with the split ring that comes with the charm. I don't want anything too permanent. I have been making a charm bracelet for my daughter without her knowledge. She is only 7. I will give it to her at milestone (graduation, wedding). I have a book that I write why each charm is significant. I added a Disney charm this last trip. I have fun making it for her, but I want her to be able to adjust when it becomes hers.

 

[macphrsn]

I make my own jewelry. Try going to your local bead store for assistance.
I usually purchase a package (this way all my charms are attached by the same type of ring) or by the piece; sterling silver jump rings. The jump rings (like those on keychains) come in various sizes. Usually a bead store will carry a jump ring tool (it has a small hook) that lifts the ring open to make it easier to slide your charm on the ring and then onto your braclet. This tool makes it so easy to add or remove charms, worth the investment. I think mine was about $10, but good for a lifetime and worth sharing.

 

[Princess Glenda]

macphrsn--Thanks for the iinfo. Which size of ring would you recommend?

 

[abeyst]

I make my own jewelry. Try going to your local bead store for assistance.
I usually purchase a package (this way all my charms are attached by the same type of ring) or by the piece; sterling silver jump rings. The jump rings (like those on keychains) come in various sizes. Usually a bead store will carry a jump ring tool (it has a small hook) that lifts the ring open to make it easier to slide your charm on the ring and then onto your braclet. This tool makes it so easy to add or remove charms, worth the investment. I think mine was about $10, but good for a lifetime and worth sharing.

Great idea, thanks for the info! I'll look tomorrow at the store. It's a lot cheaper than paying to have charms soldered on but reducing the chance of the charms falling off, and still gives you the opportunity to move them if you'd like.

 

[jenelope]

If you're at all rough on your jewelry, I recommend getting them soldered. I start wearing my charm bracelet as soon as I start actively planning a trip (it helps get me in the mood), and I don't take it off until well after I return home. Usually the only time I take it off is if I'm going to swim in a pool. Anyway, since I wear mine for such long periods of time, they tend to snag. Using plain jump rings, I lost a Cinderella's castle charm, a dated 2000 Animal Kingdom charm, and I nearly lost a Mickey ear hat charm. However, using split rings, I'm constantly snagging the open ends on clothes, towels, hair, you name it. It can be a little embarrasing to raise your hand, only to discover that your wrist is now attached to your chest!

So, if you have don't care about swapping out charms, and if you know the order you want them in, I really recommend soldering.

 

[Schweet]

My daughter has the 5mm split rings holding all her Disney charms on one bracelet. She had to get a second bracelet to put all her other charms on because it was too heavy to wear with all her charms on just one bracelet. She hasn't had any problem with the split rings yet and she can put a new charm on the bracelet right there in the park!

 

[Daxx]

Daxx's Wife here! I make my own jewelry, too! I've tried the split rings from the local bead store but I think that my charm bracelet rings must be fatter than the normal type (mine is from Tiffany & Co.) b/c the split rings don't work that well. They tend to get bent out of shape when I try to feed it through the bracelet. I take mine to the jeweler to be soldered. He's a family friend and doesn't charge much. Just be careful w/the thickness of your bracelet when working w/split rings.

For safety sake, I prefer to have my charms soldered.

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

I love my Cinderella's Castle charm, too. It was WAAAAYY too pointy and the turrets kept catching on my clothing.

I think it's Mickey's way of telling me to come back and buy another one...and another...and another...