Make it personal with charm jewelry

Seattleite Josephine C. Santos wears her heart on a link, along with a four-leaf clover, horseshoe, coin and wishbone for good luck. Every special occasion — birthdays, travels, graduation, wedding, arrival of a child or just because — she acquires a new charm, adding to her collection. Each new addition tells a story, chronicling her life and her journeys.

"I started collecting the charms when I was a teenager and have added more as the years go by. They're fun to have and each piece means something to me. It has a sentimental value that I hope someday I can pass on to my child," says Santos, an avid charm collector.

Charm jewelry has long been in vogue throughout history: from the ancient Egyptian pharaohs using magical amulets to ward off their enemies, to the early 19th-century Victorian fashionistas donning bracelets and necklaces displaying their family crests, lockets and tokens given by loved ones. Since then, this narrative link — often passed down through generations — has been a timeless fashion collectible.

"Charm bracelets and necklaces have been around for more than 200 years and there's no slowing down," says Paul Schneider, owner of Twist, a Seattle and Portland shop showcasing a fanciful selection of wearable art and fashionable jewelry, ceramics, metals and other swell artisan crafts. This nifty space resembles a candy store for accessory fiends looking for artsy, innovative designs.

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TWIST

Four-charm necklace by Beth Orduna; $198.

Charm accessories come in many forms and materials, from sterling silver to yellow and white gold, from bold and chunky with eye-catching gemstones to effortlessly plain and simple.

One of Twist's best-selling lines is the Dogeared collection, which bears poetic charms designed to speak to an individual's spirit. Inspiring words from the $140 multi-charm bracelet read: "trust," "believe," "miracle," "patience," "be," "well," "heal," "create," "peace," "faith" and "love," with every word dangling on a dainty drop-shaped silver charm.

"This charm jewelry is especially popular because the words provide meaning. The sum becomes greater than the parts," adds Schneider. The Dogeared charms are available as pendants, earrings and bracelets with the option to choose various word combinations projecting your own personal message.

Other enchanting charm jewelry available at Twist include designs from independent artists such as Wasabi, Beth Orduna, Jane Diaz and Jeanine Payer, who offer their own delightful whimsy.

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NORDSTROM

Burberry ladies' gold charm-bracelet watch; $595.

A recent trend in charm accessories are little watches swinging off the chain. Designer timepieces made stylish by Guess, Fossil, Citizen Eco-Drive, Betsey Johnson, Anne Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Coach, Burberry and Gucci are available at Nordstrom, Macy's and other local retail outlets.

Luxury designers like Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Cartier have also brought the glamour back to charm jewelry, as seen on Hollywood celebrities and fashion runways, proclaiming these pendulous baubles the must-have accessory for all seasons.

Besides retail and jewelry stores, charms can be found at antique shops, museum stores, flea markets, yard sales, tourist traps while traveling, and even in our very own family trunks of heirloom jewelry. Prices range from $10 and up, depending on the quality. The links are often sold separately, unless packaged as a complete set.

Whether purchased recently or passed down several generations, charm jewelry is a trend that won't go out of style, keeping things you love close to your heart and near at hand.

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