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How to Add Charms to a Bracelet

Written by Annabelle
May 1, 2020

Maybe you're a charm lover. Maybe you buy vintage and new charms for your bracelet all the time. Whatever it is, you're not entirely sure how to get them on your bracelet in the most secure and visually pleasing way. Fortunately, that's what a jeweler's for! Read on to learn more about how to add charms to a bracelet.

Two Types of Charms

fish-bail

This interesting fish pendant/charm was given a special bail to fit an 8mm chain.

Charms come in two styles; standard and “European.” A standard charm consists of the design, which has a loop at the top, usually with a jump ring. This allows for the charm to be strung on a chain or physically soldered to a link on the chain.

A European bracelet charm is another term for the type of charms you see on Pandora bracelets. They're constructed to look like a massive bead with a large enough hole to thread through a thick bracelet or bangle. While they can be worn on other chains, they can't be physically soldered like a standard charm to fit them in one location on the bracelet.

The Process of Adding Charms to a Bracelet

Aside from slipping it onto the bracelet yourself, there are two scenarios in which a jeweler needs to be used in order to attach charms to a bracelet. The first one is when you can't get the charm over the end of the chain due to the width of the clasp. The second scenario is when you want the charms to be attached so that they remain fixed in one place.

In order to get the charms onto a bracelet with a wide clasp, the jeweler simply cuts open the jump ring at the top of the charm and puts it around the bracelet. Afterwards, the jeweler solders or lasers the jump ring shut. This method is also used to put charms in specific locations on a bracelet- the jeweler simply has to repeat the same process, but instead threading the open jump ring through a specific link on the bracelet. In situations where there is no discernible link for the jump ring to go through, the jeweler will solder the charm directly onto the bracelet, or even modify the charm to integrate it into the chain's design by putting two loops on either end of the charm.

Cost and Turnaround Time

Depending on the material, it's $20 to open and solder a charm onto a bracelet. Platinum and gold are more expensive to work with, and stainless steel takes a longer time due to the nature of the metal. Turnaround time is affected by the number of charms needed for placement and may range from 1 day to a week.

Now you're set on how to add charms to a bracelet! If you have something you'd like to modify, comment below and we can help you get started.

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