Top Charm & Bracelet Gifts for 2021 ‒ Waxing Poetic

Charms and bracelets make great gifts for holidays, birthdays or any other occasion. Their personalized nature offers a great way to send just the right message to the woman in your life. They're even more special if they're handcrafted, like the ones from Waxing Poetic. If you need a little inspiration for 2021 gifts, here's a guide to the best charm and bracelet gifts from Waxing Poetic.

Charms

Charms and pendants are so varied. There's bound to be something that fits with your gift receiver's personality and style. You might even find one that sends just the right message about your relationship. Here's a sampling of the ones we love most.

The Sea Is Always Home Charm: This radiant brass charm is encircled in sterling silver, with a crystal star on one side and the phrase "The sea is always home" on the reverse. It's perfect for sea-lovers everywhere and a great addition to any charm bracelet or for wearing as a single charm.

Source Charm: Our Source Charm features a brass design of rays outstretched from a crystal-centered sun, encircled by sterling silver. This charm is perfect for a bracelet or necklace. Be sure to check out our Source Earrings as well.

Initial Encounter Insignia: Unique yet understated, this sterling silver and crystal initial features astronomical symbols. Great for bracelets or necklaces, this charm would also go well with another initial to symbolize unity.

Tiny Light Birthstone Charm: Show her you love her with a dazzling circular birthstone held by a sterling silver cap. Choose the month of her birth, or just a favorite color or stone, and pair it with a beautiful bracelet or necklace that's just her style.

Pendants

You may decide something a bit weightier than the charms mentioned above. Pendants attached to necklaces also make great gifts. Here a few of our best sellers.

Inner Compass Pendant: This striking brass compass design is surrounded by colorful crystals and framed in sterling silver. It's a great way to remind the wearer of her inner wisdom. The flip side is engraved with the saying: "Find stillness then start."

Heartbound Intertwined Initials Pendant: This ceramic-coated brass heart-shaped pendant bears two initials of your choosing, symbolizing unity. What better way to show you care and are in the relationship for the long haul?

Bracelets

Bracelets can be delicate and understated or bold and showy, and Waxing Poetic has all the styles you need to choose from. Some are meant to be charm holders while others are worn along. We've got brass or sterling silver bangles, cuff bracelets and delicate chains. Here are a few of our favorites.

Kristal Cuff: This stunning brass cuff is encrusted with sparkling crystals — a bold statement indeed!

The Invitation Bracelet: This eloquent brass link bracelet is finished with a silver-plated brass and steel clasp that can hold a meaningful charm. Pair it with our popular Source Charm, Heart's Content Charm or any other charm of your choosing. The possibilities are endless!

Good Verbs Blossoming Bangle: This gold-plated sterling silver bracelet features a floral design with a gorgeous crystal center. Add a charm or two of your choosing, or keep it as is. The choice is yours!

Kristal Atmosphere Square Hinge Bangle: Give this unique square sterling silver bangle, adorned with azure blue crystals. Don't forget to check out our coordinating Kristal Wake Hoops and Kristal Universe Pendant.

Waxing Poetic is here for all your gift-giving needs. We hope you'll check out some of our suggestions and explore our website for more great handmade jewelry.

Top Earring Styles for Fall 2021 ‒ Waxing Poetic

Earrings are such versatile pieces of jewelry. They can be small and understated, big and bold, or somewhere in between. Waxing Poetic's earrings are handcrafted from the finest materials, including bronze, sterling silver, brass and silver/brass combinations. Whether you're looking for new styles for yourself or for a gift, we can help ferret out the top earrings styles for this fall.

Here's what we recommend:

1. Vintage earrings. Vintage and antique styles are definitely in. Whether they incorporate precious gems of old or just have that old-fashioned look to them, they're sure to please this fall.

Take a look at our old-fashioned-looking Moon Daisy Hoops, with their elaborate brass daisy designs and decorative simulated pearls. Our Illuminatures Evil Eye Huggie Hoop Earrings also embody a vintage look, with their brass designs surrounding eye-catching crystals and encircled in sterling silver.

2. Freeform and open up earrings. These cleverly designed pieces are like classic hoops transformed.

Check out our brass Clover Open Up Earrings. These whimsical yet elegant earrings are sure to please. You might also like our sterling silver Free Form Earrings, with medium-sized hoops that get noticed without being too showy or gaudy.

3. Dangle and teardrop designs. Dangly earrings in dazzling colors and with sparkly gems, some of them even resembling decorative chandeliers, are all the rage.

Check out our Kristal Teardrop Earrings, with their stunning crystal centers surrounded by warm brass, or make a bold statement with our Groove Elevation Earrings, which are perfect for a night out on the town.

4. Textured metals. Metals this fall tend to break the mold a bit with new and interesting textures and combinations of elements.

Waxing Poetic's Found Again Starshower Organic Drop Post Earrings combine eye-catching crystals with brass to create an interesting texture. You might also like our Cosmos Disc Earrings, so elegant with their raised sterling silver and crystalline surfaces.

5. Statement earrings. Fall 2021 is the time to make a big statement with your jewelry. Don't be afraid to get a little daring and get noticed.

Our Ocean Tides Earrings fit the bill perfectly. With a nod to ocean waves, these eye-catching mother-of-pearl, sterling silver and brass danglers are sure to make a statement. Our Astral Earrings are also sure to make a bold statement, with their swirling suns and brass light rays.

If you love these unique earring choices from Waxing Poetic, you're sure to love our other handcrafted jewelry choices as well. We also offer a wide range of matching jewelry sets, like our Points of Light Gift Set, with beautifully delicate hoop earrings and a matching necklace. Another great option is our Kristal Earring & Bangle Set.

For more than 20 years, Waxing Poetic has been designing and crafting unique jewelry that makes a statement. Take a look at our necklaces, bracelets, charms and pendants, rings, necklaces, men's jewelry and more.

Need a little help navigating our site or have a question we can answer? Feel free to contact us anytime. We love to help!

Waxing Poetic Jewelry Care and Cleaning Guide

Sterling Silver, Brass and Bronze

At Waxing Poetic, we always use the finest alloys on the market for our sterling silver, brass, and bronze pieces.

We do regularly get questions about these from our customers on the best practices for maintaining their jewelry, and will answer some of the most common questions here in hopes that it will help you enjoy your jewelry for even longer.

How do I clean my Waxing Poetic jewelry, particularly bronze pieces?

For cleaning, it is safe to use a polishing cloth lightly; water is not recommended. For sterling silver pieces, you can use a standard silver cleaner, if a polishing cloth is not enough.

How do you keep jewelry from tarnishing, particularly brass jewelry?

Though it contains anti-tarnishing agents, all fine sterling silver does eventually tarnish with age and exposure to various elements. Brass or bronze jewelry will tarnish more quickly than sterling silver, but can easily have its shine restored.

CARE FOR HEAVY TARNISH BUILD-UP

Regular maintenance of your jewelry will help keep pieces from building excessive tarnish. In the case of heavy build-up, create a natural dip to lift tarnish:

• Line a small dish with aluminum foil and fill it with very hot water.
• Shake in some baking soda, approximately ¼ teaspoon.
• Soak metals for approximately 2-5 minutes. The baking soda will react with the aluminum to lift tarnish. Monitor as it is soaking to be sure the oxidization is not stripped from the details of the jewelry.
• Dry the piece thoroughly (moisture can contribute to tarnish) then polish and buff with a jewelry polishing cloth.

Is it bad to wear brass jewelry?

The short answer is, no. That said, there are ways to help your brass pieces continue to look nice and last longer into the future, with just a little care. First of all, do not submerge your brass jewelry into water. This will only make it tarnish faster. As well, try not to polish your brass frequently, as it can remove the finish and patina.

Can I wear my brass jewelry in the shower?

We recommend that you do not wear any of your jewelry in the shower, hot tub, sauna, ocean, or swimming pool, as moisture accelerates the tarnishing of metal.

Will lotion or soaps tarnish my jewelry?

Sometimes the chemical makeup of skin oils combined with lotions may also contribute to tarnishing, so apply fragrance and hair spray prior to putting on jewelry.

Why is some of my brass jewelry so much darker?

Boiled brass features a naturally darker finish that develops over time and adds to the piece. These items are low maintenance as frequent polishing can remove the finish.

Pearls, Stones and Crystals

Pearls, stones and crystals are fragile and require more care than other types of jewelry. Use a soft, lint-free cloth, not a polishing cloth, to wipe your jewelry after you take it off. If your pearls, stones, or crystals have become dull, use a damp cloth to gently pat them clean and then let them dry flat. Do not use any chemicals or cleaners. Check the cord on strung pieces regularly to be sure it is not fraying. Fragrance, lotions and hair spray should be applied prior to wearing your jewelry.

Leather

Excessive heat and moisture can damage leather. Avoid wearing leather jewelry in the shower, hot tub, sauna, ocean or swimming pool as these can easily damage your leather. Over time, leather will darken from normal wear, water exposure, your skin’s oils and lotions.

Plated Metal

Our plated jewelry is made by covering a base metal with a thin layer of gold or sterling silver. Over time, it will eventually wear away despite your best attempts to preserve it. Plating is mutable and will tarnish: this is not a bad thing and in fact can be quite lovely. Lightly wipe your plated jewelry with a soft jewelry polishing cloth to gently restore shine. This will help eliminate any dirt or dust from accumulating on the surface and wearing away the plated layer. Do not polish plated jewelry often; the more you polish, the more the plating is worn away. Keep plated jewelry away from hard surfaces, as bumps and scratches will cause the plated layer to wear away faster. Do not bathe, swim, soak, sauna, or steam in your plated jewelry. Not only will this tarnish the plating, it can actually hasten its separation from the metal below and cause further oxidization. Store your plated jewelry in our Waxing Poetic pouch or store in a soft material that will prevent scratches.

HOW TO USE A POLISHING CLOTH

Regular polishing with a polishing cloth along with proper storage will help maintain the finish and reduce the natural buildup of tarnish on metals. Follow these steps to use a polishing cloth:

• Use the inside of the cloth to loosen and lift tarnish. The interior of the cloth is treated with a cleaner that is safe for the keepsake quality of Waxing Poetic jewelry, and the cloth is woven of soft material that will not scratch metal. For heavier areas of tarnish, moisten the interior of the cloth slightly with water when polishing.
• After polishing, buff the piece with the dry exterior of the cloth to wipe away the lifted tarnish and bring out the finish and luster of the metal

Top Jewelry Styles for Summer

The summer of 2021 is sure to be a summer unlike any other you’ve experienced. While exploring all of your summertime possibilities, you can also explore some of the biggest jewelry trends for this summer. We’ve identified seven of the best jewelry trends for the summer of 2021.

Precious Pearls

Pearls are one of the hottest jewelry trends right now, and that may have something to do with a certain powerful VP making them a part of her signature look. But don’t think that your only options are wearing a traditional string of pearls. This new trend allows for lots of creative jewelry design with pearls being a central focus. The re-imagined pearl necklace can be a sprinkling of daisies on a brass chain, or a cluster of white luminescence tucked inside of a faux oyster shell. They can also be a way to express your feelings of faith. You don’t have to conform to a specific look to enjoy pearls, so feel free to choose more creative styles.

Bee Jewelry

Bees are essential to the health of our planet and preserving bees and bee habitats is a worthy cause to support. You can share your love of bees and spread awareness by wearing bee jewelry. These are jewelry pieces that feature the bee (or bee life) in a prominent way. Love pearls? Wear a gorgeous Bee Brave Honeypearl charm with any length or style of chain and feel great! Other summer bees’ jewelry ideas include honeycomb earrings and cuffs and Bee Saved elephant charms and pendants.

Spherical Shapes

Round and round and round we go, where it stops…well, there’s no stopping the trend of wearing spherical shapes. Round jewelry pieces are having their moment and you can easily jump in on this trend with any piece that has a round shape. You can go with a 3D sphere shape like the gem in this birthstone charm. Or how about this captivating Ensemble bracelet with silver faceted cut mirror spheres?

Or you can stick with a flat spherical shape and choose a piece like this bright, uplifting Moon Daisy White Pearl pendant or the sparkling enlightenment of this Inner Compass pendant.

Single Statement Earring

The single earring trend has gone big, and by big we mean the choice of earring size. For those who love cutting edge fashion looks, here’s an opportunity to make a big statement by wearing one fabulous, dangling earring on your left or right ear. Happily, there are lots of enigmatic earring designs that allow you to self-express your personality with as much flash or glam as you desire.

Big and Bold Chains

Sticking with the bigger is better trend, chunkier chains are in and you can find this look represented in necklaces and bracelets. The Myth of Separation necklace and bracelet and the ultra-cool Peace In Unity bracelet are great examples of how to elegantly pull off this look.

Bangles and Cuffs

Do you already love bangles and cuff bracelets? Well, here’s your chance to go all in with both and indulge in getting new bangles featuring uplifting symbols such as a beautiful butterfly or blossoming bloom. Enjoy two trends in one with a cuff bracelet engraved with motivational words.

Textured Metal

Metal jewelry that looks a bit rough or banged up is really a good thing, which is why it’s a part of this summer’s hottest trends. Textures vary from mild rumpling to full out crumpling and those imperfections are what makes these pieces look so cool.

What's the difference between a bangle and a bracelet?

Have you ever wondered: what’s the difference between a bangle and a bracelet?

Lots of people wonder the same thing. This question probably comes from the fact that bangles are similar to bracelets, but they are not generally called a bracelet, so if they aren’t a bracelet, then what are they, exactly?

Well, let’s get to the bottom of this jewelry mystery and give you some answers.

What is a Bangle?

The beautiful bangle has deep roots in Southeast Asia, where they have been a jewelry adornment since 2600 BC. Yes, that is a very long time. Modern bangles are worn by millions of women and men throughout the world. So, it goes without saying that this style of jewelry continues to be extremely popular.

Bangles are distinctive for their solid metal design and structure. To create a bangle a skilled jewelry artisan must know how to heat, bend and shape a thin or thick piece of metal into a near-perfect circle or oval shape. Worn around the wrist, bangles are known for being easy to slip on and off the wrist. They also vary in design, width and closure style. Some bangles have no closure whatsoever, while others features a latch closure or hinge closure. And some bangles are partially open in back to allow the user to adjust the fit.

While there are many ways a creative artisan can make a bangle look, the one thing they all have in common is a hard metal structure.

Bangle Style Options

Shopping for bangles is a fun experience because there are so many great designs. A bangle can have a smooth, shiny surface or consist of two pieces of metal twisted together and curved into a half-circle. Or it can be a minimalistic style made from brass or silver.

Bangles can feature intricate engravings or be encrusted with gleaming crystals. Many women (and some men) love wearing three or more bangles together, which is always fun and fashionable.

What is a Bracelet?

Wearing bracelets is a practice that goes all the way back to Ancient Egypt and they’ve been a favorite arm adornment ever since. The most distinctive thing that identifies a bracelet is its flexibility. Instead of hard metal throughout, the bracelet is made up of interconnected chain links that freely move when the wrist moves. As most jewelry wearers know, bracelet links can be small and intricate or larger in size. Because chain links can be removed, bracelets are often easier to fit to size than a hard, inflexible bangle.

Also, unlike most bangles, the chain link bracelet requires closure hardware to make it stay on the wrist.

Bracelet Style Options

There are numerous flexible bracelet designs and that’s good news for those who love collecting and wearing them. Creativity is abundant when it come to crafting fashionable bracelets. Sure, there are some tried and true styles that are timeless, but jewelry artisans are always coming up with new design concepts. This makes it easy to find bracelets that match your personal sense of style.

Current trends can also play a role in what bracelet styles are most popular. For instance, pearls are among today’s most popular jewelry trends and this pretty Moon Daisy bracelet shows how to use pearls to create a fun, unique look. Chunky bracelets with large links are another trend that is capturing lots of attention.

Now that you know the difference between bangles and bracelets, you can have all kinds of fun collecting both styles.

Top Graduation Gift Ideas For Class of 2021

The school journey is a long and purposeful one filled with ups and downs, and twists and turns that are so worthwhile. Finally, your loved one has achieved their educational goal and they are ready to graduate. It’s a wonderful time of life for the graduate, and it marks the closing of one chapter and the beginning of a new, exciting chapter. If you’re looking for meaningful gift ideas for graduating seniors, our list of 2021 graduation gift ideas is sure to spark some inspiration.

Graduation Gift Ideas for Her

Whether you’re looking for memorable graduation gift ideas for your daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece or good friend, there’s a Waxing Poetic jewelry piece that is perfect for her personality. Bracelets, charms, pendants and necklaces are all popular gift ideas that she’ll be thrilled to receive.

Bright Silver Ensemble Bracelet. How about gifting her with a bracelet that sparkles as brightly as she does? This is one of our best sellers and it makes great use of fire polished glass. A simple wrist movement is enough to make the multifaceted glass beads shimmer in the light. Paired with a brass chain, it’s a vibrant reminder to let her light shine.

Invitation Bracelet. The receiver of this bracelet is open to all possibilities that come her way. She’s smart, confident and ready to take on the world. This brass and silver-plated chain link bracelet looks great on its own and with expressive charms.

Classic Bangle. The timeless simplicity of the bangle is always a beautiful gift to receive, and she’ll make the most of wearing it with countless outfits and accessories. Choose silver or brass.

Moon Daisy Delicate Chain Bracelet. Our mother of pearl and sterling silver bracelet is delicate, lovely and blooming with sweetness and inner light – just like her.

Chancery Insignia Initial Pendant. This simple boho letter pendant features a single bold brass initial on a silver disc. It identifies her as a strong, spirited woman who is going places.

Nomad Insignia Pendant. Our brass and silver typography pendant is striking to gaze at and fun to wear anywhere. Choose any letter from A to Z.

Cheryl Strayed – The Path Medallion Necklace. Inspired by a bestselling author, this beautiful pendant necklace is a constant reminder to take advantage of opportunities that come her way as she goes through life.

Graduation Gift Ideas for Him

Surprise him with a jewelry gift that lets him know how proud you are of his accomplishments and of his personal growth. These gift ideas are cool, masculine and authentically expressive.

Genesis Band Ring. This minimalistic, motivational sterling silver men’s band ring is engraved with a star and timeless words of wisdom from tennis great Arthur Ashe. “Start where you are. Use what you have.”

Intertwined Initials Ring. Here’s a unique initials ring for a one-of-a-kind guy who is ready to get out there and make his mark on the world. It has rugged good looks and two brass and silver intertwined initials. Choose any two initials for personalization.

Chain Tag Necklace. Give him a gift that signifies his links to his family, his social circle, his past and his future with this impressive men’s pendant necklace. It has a strong look, and it comes in brass with a sterling silver chain or choose all sterling silver.

What Do Bees Symbolize? Exploring Bee Symbolism

Bees are on many people’s mind these days as we contemplate what their dwindling numbers may mean for the health of our planet. There’s no doubt that bees are essential to the survival of many species, including humans. As bee experts work to solve the bee population crisis, we can all do our part to support “save the bees” efforts by learning more about bee symbol meaning and wearing various styles of bee jewelry.

Bees have been admired and celebrated throughout human history, and over thousands of years, people have come to associated them with meaningful behaviors that everyone can aspire to emulate. Here are some of the most prevalent bee symbolism meanings shared by numerous cultures.

Growth

Gaze out at a field of flowers or crops and see the work of hundreds of bees who spread out into their territories searching for the nectar and pollen that sustains their colonies. As they feed on this precious food, they help pollinate fertile ground, spurring more growth of beautiful flowers and crops such as apples, almonds, broccoli and cherries. Some crops are highly dependent on bee pollination for survival, and this is only one reason to support the survival of bee colonies.

Sweetness

Bees produce different varieties of that sweet, thick nectar we call honey. For bees, they create honeycombs and honey as a way to preserve food for use over the cool winter periods. Honey is among the most popular natural sweeteners enjoyed by people around the world, and it’s packed with nutrition too. Honey can be enjoyed in tea, on toast and in a variety of baked goods and other food products.

Strong Work Ethic

The term “worker bee” comes from observing bee activity inside and out of their hives. Bees work hard to ensure the entire colony has food, shelter and protection. Working hard for what you need to live comfortably is a trait that many people admire and emulate.

Community

The only time you see a bee alone is when it is out gathering food or scouting for a new spot to build a hive. They spend most of their time with other bees in their community, making them a good representation for community spirit.

Blind Love

Painters during the Renaissance period would sometimes include bees in their depictions of Cupid, a well-known figure who brings love to those who get stung by his arrow. When these artists showed Cupid being swarmed by stinging bees it symbolized a warning about falling blindly in love with someone without thinking about potentially bad consequences.

Tireless Devotion/Commitment

The queen bee reigns supreme in the bee colony, and she is constantly protected, fed and attended to by a devoted group of bees committed to her safety and well-being. Devotion and commitment are highly valued traits in human relationships as well.

Organized Teamwork

At many workplaces, teamwork is key to achieving goals successfully. Bees demonstrate teamwork naturally. Each bee has a specific function within the hive community, and each team works together to carry out the daily goals of the hive.

Productivity

Bees are high achievers when it comes to producing honey. The average bee colony can produce a quantity of 60 to 100 pounds of honey per year. For such small insects, this requires constant effort and teamwork. If you want motivation to increase your productivity in any area, look to those busy bees for inspiration.

How to Measure Necklace Length for a Great Look

Necklaces are fun to wear and they come in a wide variety of styles and lengths, making them among the most desired and popular fashion jewelry choices. Because there are so many options, you may be wondering what size necklace works best for you. Measuring necklace length is the easiest way to answer this question. But how do you measure necklace length?

How to Measure Necklace Length

You can measure the length of any necklace by following three simple steps.

Step 1. Take any necklace you want to measure and open its clasp, so that you can lay the necklace onto a flat surface. Pull both ends to get it as straight as you can.

Step 2. To get an accurate measurement extend a tape measure from the necklace clasp to the end connector, ignoring any charm or pendant that may be attached (do not measure these).

Step 3. Jot down the measurement or make a mental note for future necklace buying. If the measurement is a tad longer, but under a full inch, you can round up to the next inch.

Finding Your Best Necklace Length

You can get more enjoyment out of wearing the necklaces you buy when you choose a necklace length that is most flattering for your unique measurements, body and face type.

Measuring Neck Size

The size of your neck plays a key role in knowing what necklace sizes look best on you. Below are standard neck measurements and suggestions for choosing necklace lengths that work well with those measurements.

Neck measures 13 inches to 14 1/2 inches. A 16-inch choker and an 18-inch necklace are good choices.

Neck measures 15 inches to 16 1/2 inches. The 20-inch necklace is a good go-to size.

Neck measures 17 inches to 18 1/2 inches. Choose the 22-inch size as a standard length.

Necklace Length and Height

Did you know that your height can also help you select necklaces that are going to look awesome on your physique? Simply, use the below guide to see what necklace lengths are proven to be the most flattering for your height.

If you are under 5 feet, necklaces between 16 inches and 20 inches are most flattering.

If you are 5 feet to 5 feet 3 1/2 inches shorter necklaces that are 18 inches on the short side and 20 inches on the long side should be your standard lengths.

If you are somewhere between 5 feet 4 inches and 5 feet 7 inches, you look best in any necklace length.

If you are 5 feet 7 inches or taller, your standard necklace length should be 22 inches or longer for the most flattering look.

Body Type and Necklace Length

Choosing certain necklace lengths can accentuate certain areas or the body and/or flatter your physique. This is an optional thing to consider after following the above suggestions for measurements.

Thin/Slight physique. Shorter and thinner necklace chains flatter your frame.

Curvaceous/Full figure. Consider choosing necklace chains that are thicker and slightly longer.

Additional tips. For those who have a less prominent bust, you can achieve an elegant and flattering look with a longer 22-inch necklace. Alternatively, for those of any physique, if you want to accentuate the bust area, choose 20 to 22-inch lengths that fall just below the collarbone.

How to Put Charms On a Bracelet: A Guide

Charm bracelets are so popular because they are one of the most expressive jewelry pieces you can wear. While there are ready-made bracelets with charms pre-attached, you get more expressive freedom from creating your own, unique charm bracelets. The best way to get started is to select a bracelet style to serve as the jewelry base for dangling charms. After that, you can choose from a wide range of jewelry charms depicting everything from hearts to initials to bees and animals.

Okay, that’s great, you may be thinking but how exactly do you get the charms onto the bracelet? Good question. As it turns out, when it comes to learning how to put charms on a bracelet, there are several methods you can follow, and we’ve included them all, so you can decide what method is best for your charm bracelet creation needs.

Jump Ring Method

If you love wearing jewelry, chances are good that you’ve seen numerous jump rings. These are those round metal connectors that have an opening at one end to make it possible to connect the two ends of a jewelry piece together. Jump rings are readily available for purchase and come in sets. Although, you can technically open a jump ring with your fingers, this is a tedious task, and you may injure yourself. Instead, we advise buying one or two pairs of inexpensive jewelry pliers, which make opening any connector a breeze.

Use the plier tool to hold one end of the jump ring securely. With the second pair of pliers, you can grab the other end of the ring and gently twist the ring apart. Slip your charm onto the ring, and then slip the ring onto a bracelet link. Use the pliers to close the ring completely. Choose this method if you wish to permanently put charms onto your bracelet.

Split Ring Method

This type of connector ring has two openings and there’s no need for pliers. When ready, simply open one side of the ring with your finger and slide the charm ring onto the open end. The ring snaps back into place once you let go. Repeat the above steps to secure the split ring to a link on your bracelet.

Lobster Clasp Method

The lobster clasp is familiar to anyone who wears necklace chains with this type of closure. It’s a favorite of jewelry makers and jewelry wearers because it’s so easy to open and close. Because of its ease of use it makes a great charm connector. There are some charms that already include this clasp. If the ones you own don’t have it, you can buy a supply of lobster clasps and use jewelry pliers to pry open a jump ring or use a split ring connector.

Slide the lobster clasp onto the jump or split ring, and then slide the charm ring onto the jump/split ring and close it. Once the charm is secured to the lobster clasp, you can easily open the clasp and connect it to one of the bracelet’s links. Repeat this for all charms. When choosing a lobster clasp size, make sure it’s large enough to get a good, secure grip on the bracelet link.

Charm Clips Method

You can save time and effort by using charm clips to connect a charm and bracelet together. They function similarly to a lobster clasp. Made of heavy-duty metal, they come in brass or silver and no tools are required.