The first thing I want to mention is that charms are very versatile and do not have to be displayed only on a sterling silver charm bracelet. In fact you can create a whole jewelry wardrobe consisting of just one or two chain necklaces, a chain bracelet and anklet and a pair of hoop earrings and lots of different charms. By changing the charm that you hang from them you can create lots of different pieces of jewelry that will complement all your outfits without having to spend a fortune on lots of separate pieces.

So now to some of the charms that are available to accessorize and personalize your wardrobe.  If you like to and are allowed to wear jewelry for work then there are job related charms for nearly every profession.  For instance if you work in the hairdressing business you might choose to wear a necklace with a hairdryer charm on it or maybe add another one as well such as a pair of scissors or one in the shape of a comb.  There are lots of medical profession charms such as nurses’ caps, medical symbol charms and crutches to name just a few. Or there are for sale signs, houses and key ring and keys charms for those working in real estate.  Whatever your vocation you will find a charm representing it that you can choose to wear from a chain round your neck or for a different look hung from a pair of hoop earrings.

Not everybody wants to advertise their profession, especially when they are not actually at work, so let’s think of some of the other charms that might appeal and perhaps say something about you as an individual.  Some people are animal lovers (whether that is their pet dog, cat or bird or other animals) and they can reflect this by choosing charms of their favorite animals. Other people may want to wear a charm that is specific to their hobby such as photography, knitting, shopping or going to the movies.  Yet others are keen to promote certain awareness causes such as cancer research, heart disease, Aids and autism. There are lots of specific charms to choose from that reflect different interests and pastimes.

While these charms may be something that you would wear on a daily basis they are not necessarily suitable for more formal occasions.  There are times when you need something more glitzy and glamorous to show off that “little black dress” or ball gown.  For these events you may choose something like a simple silver or gold heart pendant charm (ok, yes, heart jewelry had to feature somewhere!) or a single pearl charm.  Or if you want to add sparkle to your outfit there are lots of diamond and other gemstone charms to choose from.

If you have lots of different charms you can of course choose to wear them as a charm bracelet made up of just one or two charms or many more. Depending on the type of charms you own, this could be an eclectic mix of your collection or if you have a selection of charms based on a particular theme such as butterflies, flowers or hearts you could make one containing a single theme or mix butterfly and flower charms to create a very summery themed bracelet. To interchange charms on a bracelet it is best to have those charms that secure with a lobster claw clasp.

So next time someone asks what you would like as a present or you are looking for a new necklace why not choose sterling silver charms that you can either add to a bracelet or a chain that you already have so you can create lots of different pieces of jewelry.

In fact, looking at just what is available on the Internet or at the local mall, the problem isn’t finding the right style or theme of charm – there is actually so much choice that the difficult decision is narrowing down what you want to go for and making a decision from the vast selection!  Take a look for yourself and enjoy the task.

Looking round the stores at the Mall I found lots of lovely heart pendants and bracelets. Two pieces that I particularly liked was a charm bracelet with lots of different heart charms already attached, and to complete the look there was a heart charm necklace to match. This did not have just one heart charm on it like most necklaces but was like a bigger version of the bracelet with lots of different heart charms attached round the chain.

Although there is quite a selection of charms in the Mall jewelry stores I think you have more variety and unusual ones by checking out the online jewelry retailers. Some of these specialize only in charms and their catalogue is huge. So sitting in the comfort of my home I started my search and I soon got involved in looking at “themed” charms with the idea that, whatever I chose, me or other people could possibly add more on other occasions such as birthdays or anniversaries. And as usual I got side tracked into looking at other collections of charms.

Looking at the birthday and holiday charms I realized there are a number of special days throughout the year and that quite a few of them fall between now and Christmas so of course I had to see what, if any, choices of charms there are to commemorate some of these celebrations.

October is breast cancer awareness month and in nearly every area of life you will find articles on sale to commemorate this and to draw people’s attention to it. My local supermarket is selling tote bags to carry your groceries in along with lots of other “pink” items. So it is no surprise that there are lots of different charms that you can buy either for your own collection or to give to friends or family. Not only are these charms beautiful, some of the money raised from them goes to charity to help find a cure. There are lots of other awareness charms available so if there is a specific cause that you are involved with check and see if they have their own charms so that you can raise awareness for their cause.

On a lighter note, Halloween falls at the end of October and if you love dressing up for “trick or treating” then no outfit is complete without some of the spooky jewelry that is available. You can choose from cheap and cheerful plastic spider rings to more expensive skull charms made of silver with gemstones glowing in the eye sockets.

The fourth Thursday in November is the day the USA celebrates Thanksgiving, a day when families and friends gather together to share food and give thanks for what they have. It is traditional to decorate the house and table with pumpkins, fruit, ornaments of the Pilgrims and of course turkeys. If you really want to get into the spirit of things then why not buy a set of matching Thanksgiving jewelry to complete your outfit for the special dinner.

Then of course we come to Christmas and the choice of jewelry representing this holiday season is huge. There are really expensive items like diamond studded angel pendants or snowflakes but there are so many other pieces to choose from that start in price from just a few dollars. I love Christmas and I love dressing up and wearing fun jewelry as it usually puts a smile on people’s faces.

I stopped at Christmas charms because I realized that if I was to look at all the holiday collections I would end up not having time to look for the gifts I want for the people on my list. I will get back to looking for pieces for other celebration days like New Year, St Valentine’s Day and so on after I have finished my holiday shopping.

Heart jewelry to begin with: a really nice present for a husband to give to his wife, or a boyfriend to give to his girlfriend, would be a gold heart charm either on a chain or on a bracelet.  There are many different ones to choose from, even some with inscriptions on them such as “I loved you from the start” or the simple message every woman wants to hear from her man “I love you”.  But what will make the one you give to your loved one unique is the personal message you have inscribed on it – a message that may be even more welcome than the two mentioned above.  This could be the date you met or the event that brought you together or a few words from “your song” or any other sentiment that comes from the heart to show her just how much she means to you.

Of course, jewelry and particularly heart jewelry makes an ideal Christmas present for any female member of the family or close friend.  Heart earrings customized with her birthstone would be well received by a friend and a heart locket engraved with a message from her child is sure to bring a smile and tears of joy to any Mom.  Having an item of jewelry designed and handmade for you or you making it yourself would make the gift even more special.

Looking beyond jewelry, it is a fact that handmade gifts are always well received because of the love that goes into the making of them.  I remember one year my daughter and son in law were struggling for money and didn’t want to go into debt so instead they decided to make presents for their family and friends.  For my parents they cooked some of their favorite dishes for them to put in their freezer, they made candles for some of their friends, they made gift boxes and filled them with toiletries, they also designed and printed their own gift cards offering their time to do errands and chores.  All of these gifts were gratefully received as they had tailored them to the individuals.

There is no end of gift ideas that you can make yourself or as a family.  One really great idea I saw as a gift for Grandma was an apron (every one knows that Grandmas are the best cooks!) with a family photograph on it and hand prints round the bottom.  Yet another one in a similar vein was a T shirt with children’s footprints on it and an inscription saying “my grandkids walk all over me”.  This would be a superb gift for the doting Grandpa.

Do you know someone who likes to encourage birds into their garden?  If so then a bird bath made of terracotta pots and clay saucers, then hand painted, would make a welcome addition to that yard.  Added to this could be handmade stepping stones to further personalize a garden.  You don’t have to be artistic to make your own presents – there are lots of craft books, kits and online ideas with step by step instructions to help you create that special gift.

There is nothing nicer than receiving a personalized gift as it shows that the giver has given a lot of thought and taken the time to choose an individual present. Whether you decide to buy the people on your list a piece of jewelry such as a heart necklace or a gold heart charm or instead you opt to make a unique handmade present, you can be sure it will bring joy to whoever receives it.

Anyhow, despite having said all of that, I’m not really a celebrity watcher but since starting this heart jewelry blog I have taken more notice of the type of jewelry people in the news are wearing as it can have an influence on what is fashionable at any one time.  Not long ago I saw a photograph of Miley Cyrus wearing a black bead necklace with a big black heart charm on it.  This image got me thinking about what kind of heart jewelry other celebrities might look good wearing so I asked my family and friends for their suggestions.  Here are some of their choices:

• Jennifer Aniston – a sterling silver charm bracelet, or even better, a sterling silver heart charm bracelet. When I asked my friend why she thought this would be an appropriate piece of jewelry her response was “because it is feminine and dainty, especially with the hearts”.

• Catherine Zeta Jones – a sterling silver heart charm necklace. This would complement the little black dresses she is often pictured wearing and it would also show off her beautiful long neck and dark hair.  The guy who suggested this said that earrings would not be a good choice as you can’t see them because her hair covers them.

• Eddie Izzard – a black velvet choker with a diamante heart charm in the middle of it. One of my female relatives made this choice because she could see him wearing it as he is a transvestite (or at least, he appears to be) and she also thinks it would suit him.  She is quite a fan of his comedy.

• Paris Hilton – a collar with jewel encrusted hearts on it for her dog. According to my friend, this pampered pooch should have one of these to complement its owner’s jewelry when they are being photographed together.

• Anne Robinson – a silver and diamond heart pendant.  Because she always wears black on her television show “The Weakest Link” this would be the perfect item of jewelry for her to choose as black really show off the sparkle of the silver and diamonds.

• Lady Gaga – an over the top very colorful, chunky necklace.  My friend’s teenage daughter suggested this as Lady Gaga is notorious for her flamboyant, extreme outfits.

• Beyonce – a simple diamante heart bracelet.  Beyonce’s style is glamorous and glitzy and so a diamond bangle would be just the right accessory for her in complete contrast to Lady Gaga’s over the top persona.

• Rachel McAdams – a heart necklace.  My son suggested a yellow or white gold heart pendant would suit her because she is very feminine.  He also said that the Williams sisters would look good wearing a chunky heart bracelet.

• Helen Mirren – heart earrings.  This was my husband’s choice and he was very definite as to the design – they should be stud earrings, delicate and classy, not flashy and made of sterling silver or white gold.  When I asked him why he said “this design is feminine, understated and sophisticated making them ideal for an intelligent, professional woman”.

• Cheryl Cole – a silver heart charm necklace and silver heart earrings.  A friend and her teenage son both chose the same celebrity but decided that different items of jewelry would suit her.

• Eva Longoria – simple long, dangly heart charm earrings.  For this petite, very feminine famous housewife I would choose this design in white gold or sterling silver because this is a style she tends to favor and they look good on her even though she has long hair.

My friends and I had fun thinking about which item of heart jewelry would be appropriate for which celebrity.  So who is your favorite celebrity and what piece of heart jewelry do you think they would wear and why?

The glitter and movement of a quality gold heart bracelet attracts the eye of all who see this beautiful piece of jewelry. With every movement of the hand, the gold charm dances, delighting both the people watching the show and the person putting it on.

On the other hand, the more factual and down to earth person might regard it as a statement of wealth and affection combined. So what is the truth, if there is one?

Well, these symbols of the heart-shaped charm, the bracelet and the gold, represent many different things depending upon the relationship between the lovely person wearing this prize and the giver of this thoughtful gift.  Does that mean that we can look at each component of the gold heart bracelet to get a better idea?

First of all, the heart: this has been used to symbolize love and passion between lovers, desire from a suitor, devotion between friends, commitment between husband and wife and a symbol of the emotion, good health and goodwill towards all living things. Used as a charm this becomes a tangible reminder of good memories from the past, pleasant things of today and golden hopes of the future. Heart jewelry brings a smile to the lips and a warm feeling to the body because this symbol says “I love you” in whatever context it is meant.

Next, the bracelet, which is worn on the wrist near the hand; it is a physical reminder that someone is emotionally holding on to you. The touch of the bracelet gives the person wearing it the assurance of someone else’s support and caring. This treasure may have been won by a hard-fought battle in the business world, a thank you for a personal favor or for a major accomplishment. Each time the wearer puts it on, looks at it, touches it or thinks about it, that person will remember when this glimmering, shiny adornment was received, why it was given and especially the person that was kind enough and thoughtful enough to present such a wonderful gift.

Finally, gold: this is one of the most precious metals and has been worshiped and treasured for centuries. The glistening of gold never diminishes; this precious metal does not tarnish and does not need to be polished to keep its luster. It does not corrode or rust. This shine remains true, rich and deep.

100% pure gold is very soft. It does not make good jewelry because it is easy to dent, scratch and bend. Through trial and error, professional goldsmiths have discovered mixing it with different alloys increases its strength and can change its color. Gold can be yellow in color, white or a rosy hue. White gold is usually plated with rhodium, an extremely hard, shiny white metal. Rose gold uses a larger portion of copper to get its beautiful pink color.

Gold is rated by karats; 24 karats is 100% gold. Gold jewelry is made from 18 karats gold which is 75% gold and 14 karats which is 58.3% gold. Most bracelet clasps are made from 14 karat gold; it is stronger and more durable. The craftsmanship of gold jewelry and the weight of the gold determine the value. Unique, intricate works of art are more expensive, more interesting and more valued by the owner.

Overall, heart jewelry, especially a gold heart bracelet, is easy to care for. Chlorine, which is often found in drinking water, and harsh cleaning fluids are not good for gold. Cleaning this precious jewelry is easy, these treasures can be put in a solution of lukewarm water and detergent free soap and washed very gently with a soft bristled brush. The pieces should be stored in the soft cloth bags or original boxes between wearing.

So maybe after all, the meaning of a gold heart bracelet is very simple.  Someone values the person who is wearing this treasure and offers this person their support even when they are far away. The feeling of the bracelet on the wrist is like a tender touch of a caring hand. Romantic or down to earth, the giving of such a trinket is a statement of love and affection from the giver. And the wearer indicates that she is equally receptive to the feelings given.

For example, what about a silver heart bracelet?  A silver heart bracelet sparkles and glimmers on the beautiful wrist, drawing attention to the fluid motions and artful gestures of the hand and arm. A bracelet has symbolic meanings depending upon the purchaser. This beautiful piece of exquisite heart jewelry can be given to women of all ages; women who will wear it proudly and think of the reason for this appreciated gift often. This is much more than just another piece of jewelry that adorns the body. Best of all, silver can last a lifetime or longer with proper care and retain its bright shiny luster.

Jewelry has been used for centuries to accentuate parts of the body. Most women choose these jeweled accessories to draw attention to features they want to display.  If the woman purchases a delicate silver heart bracelet for herself, she is bringing attention to one of her finer features, the shapely and delicate wrist. Often this piece will match other heart jewelry in a pendant, earrings or brooch creating a uniform, accessorized look.

As the beautiful bracelet rests on the wrist, the touch is comforting to the person wearing this treasure. It is a symbolic reassurance that the person who gave this precious gift is holding that hand from a distance. Every time that fine piece of shiny jewelry is placed on the arm, the well wishes and comfort of the giver surround the charm and bring peace and contentment to the person wearing that gem. The heart shape conveys commitment, devotion, love or passion depending on the relationship.

A mother can give the gift of a silver heart bracelet to a young daughter as a reminder of her love and support as a child walks to school alone. A husband may give one to his wife to surround her with the protection of his love while they are apart. Daughters and granddaughters may reward a grandmother for her wisdom and help with this charming reminder that she is never alone or forgotten. A bracelet is an appropriate gift between friends, between relatives and between lovers of all ages.

These precious gifts are made from silver, most often Sterling Silver. 100% silver is soft, easily damaged and unsuitable for use as jewelry. Sterling Silver is made by adding another metal to harden the silver to stand up to the every day wear. Copper is the metal of choice; it makes this silver more durable and harder so it holds its shape and resists the abuse jewelry takes. Silversmiths add 7.5% copper; this keeps the beautiful luster of pure silver.

Purchasers of Sterling Silver can look for marks denoting such things as sterling, sterling silver or .925 to verify the quality of item. The craftsmanship of each individual piece sets the price; many pieces are hand crafted by experienced and gifted silversmiths in one-of-a-kind design that will be worn and treasured forever. Custom orders can be created for someone looking for exactly the right silver heart bracelet by selecting the charm and the bracelet from a wide assortment of products and assembling the chosen prizes. Silversmiths will even produce original works from a custom design submitted by the purchaser.

The next time a lady moves her wrist and the silver heart bracelet glistens and glimmers, the charm will caress the wrist almost like the touch of a caring hand. This lady may reach out and touch the heart with her other hand unconsciously. She is thinking of the wonderful person who gave her this unique gift that provides her with comfort and self-confidence as she wends her way through the day and through her life. That is the power of heart jewelry and a silver heart bracelet.

A heart bracelet today symbolizes friendship and love. Even little children enjoy making these excellent examples of heart jewelry for one another, but what they do not know is the history they are taking part in while they do so. These heart charm bracelets have a richer symbolization than may at first be apparent, and that is true whether it is a gold or a sterling silver charm bracelet or some other precious metal that it is made out of. Let us take one bead at a time and look at where the popularity of heart bracelets originated.

Understanding what a “charm” bracelet is helps in tracking down its origins and putting a heart charm bracelet into context. A charm is a personalized pendant that signifies an important event, person, or relationship. Generally, charms take the form of what they are representing. Some are obvious with animals, hearts, or names and others hide the true meaning with special symbols. These charms, however, did not originally start on people’s wrists.

In ancient times, charms were worn to signify “higher” beings or processes like pleasing the gods, warding off evil, and gaining entrance into the afterlife. Charms at this time were usually worn as pendants, amulets, and rings. As time went on, eventually these charms changed their meaning and their positioning. The bracelet was born around the middle ages and was worn by nobles and knights to signify rank and family. One of the best know “pioneers” of wearing bracelets was Queen Victoria. She would wear things like silver heart bracelets, not for symbolism, but because she liked the look. Typically, only members of royalty or the extremely wealthy had the money or desire to wear such a decoration, but for a few commoners, these bracelets were “to die for”.

The average Joe on the street saw and adored the charms worn by the upper class men and women of society. This adornment turned led to innovation, as they then fashioned their own jewelry from what they had seen. Out of simple string and beads, they would construct their own bracelets. These rickety poor man’s bracelets helped change the meaning and use of the charm bracelets. After no time at all there were artisans who specialized in constructing these bracelets and beads and this is the origin of today’s bracelets.

Today’s charm bracelets can be used for anything from casual jewelry through to fine pieces fit for formal occasions. Especially among teenage girls, these bracelets have been taken to a completely new level of meaning. Friendship heart bracelets come with a heart divided into two halves of a whole. They can be put together to form a full bracelet, or worn in parts to show the connection of friendship. Another favorite type of bracelet that is popular in the same way as a heart bracelet is the initials bracelet, where you can wear your own initials or the initials of a special boyfriend or girlfriend. These bracelets also make very good gifts for adults as well. Signifying a milestone in ones life, bracelets can mean the world to a person. This truly meets the definition of “It’s the thought that counts” and even the least expensive sterling silver example delivers a powerful message.

Many people will hold dear a little bracelet, over and above anything else in their house, just because of what it means to them. For example, in World War Two, soldiers would bring back charms for their wives to show them where they had been. These bracelets meant the world to the wives, by showing that their husbands not only served their country, but also made it back. For the wife who lost her loved one, a heart charm bracelet would also serve as a reminder of her husband’s sacrifice to keep his family and country safe. No matter what the size, shape or color, bracelets have a huge emotional impact, and especially a heart charm bracelet. They truly mean the world to people.

Thinking about these charms brings our personal world to the center. Everything we hold near and dear to us represented in this small package – memories, people, events, milestones, you name it. If a picture is worth a thousand words, a heart charm bracelet is forever.

I would choose a heart charm because it is such a versatile piece of jewelry.  If I added it to a chain to wear as a necklace it is suitable to wear every day with work clothes or at weekends with more casual outfits.  For more formal events it would complement other pieces of jewelry like earrings, watch and bracelet as well as the little black dress that most women have in their closet.  The look could be changed by having different lengths of chains to wear with different necklines.

Another way I would choose to wear it is by adding it to a bracelet and I particularly like a sterling silver charm bracelet.   This could be added to with either more heart charms – not necessarily just sterling silver, maybe some other types if they are complementary – or some of the other beautiful and unusual charms that are available.  If I chose to continue with a heart charm theme I may look for different styles of heart shaped charms like an open heart design, one with my birthstone set into it, perhaps a heart locket charm that could contain a picture of my family.  Or I might decide to collect all the same sort of heart charms to give it a more uniform look.

Alternatively, a heart shaped “I love New York” charm could be the first one on a charm bracelet that could be added to as a reminder of places and events that are special to me. Because I love to travel, finding charms of the places I visit would be a great reminder of the special memories I have from these vacations.  I would have charms of the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building in New York, and the Capitol and the White House in Washington DC.  Then there would be one of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and a casino in Las Vegas.  From trips to Europe I would add Buckingham Palace in London, the Acropolis in Athens and the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, the list is endless. All of these and more would bring back the happiness I felt when vacationing in these places.

On the other hand, I might decide to choose to have a Disney heart charm and collect other Disney charms to make a fun charm bracelet.  As my favorite books as a child were Winnie the Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner by A. A. Milne, I would probably start my bracelet with a Winnie the Pooh heart charm and then add charms of all the wonderful characters in the books like Piglet, Tigger, Eyore, Owl and Christopher Robin just to name a few.  Of course there are lots of other Disney characters to choose from so you could make a charm bracelet with your favorites.

Then again, a heart charm commemorating a special event in my life could lead to a collection of lots of different charms charting other momentous occasions.  Some of the ones I can think of are: reaching the age of majority charm, a graduation charm, a wedding cake charm to celebrate marriage, a baby carriage or baby footprint charm to mark the birth of children, a silver wedding anniversary charm, a Mom charm or Grandma charm.  Everybody has different events in their lives and there are any number of charms  you can buy to celebrate them.

So you see, if I could only have one piece of heart jewelry I would have to choose a heart charm because there are so many ways you can add to it that will evoke lasting memories.  What piece of heart jewelry would you choose and why?

18k Yellow Gold Plated Sterling Silver Ruby and Diamond Accent Heart Earrings

When you want to express your appreciation for someone, words are not always enough to convey how much you value them.  Often it is nice to give them a gift to show them how much you care and a gift of jewelry makes the ideal gift for women of all ages.   Although heart jewelry is usually associated with love between a man and a woman, it is also ideal to give to others who you care deeply about such as a sister, daughter, Mom, Grandma or special friend.

There is an amazingly varied range of heart jewelry on the market to suit any style and virtually any taste.  Whether her style is traditional, contemporary, or maybe just young at heart, there will be a pair of gold heart earrings, a heart locket necklace or gold heart bracelet to precisely fit her style and taste.

Jewelry is particularly suitable to give to members of a wedding party.  For instance, a pair of gold heart earrings would be a very loving wedding treasure for the bride if given by her parents to show that although her heart now belongs to another she is still in their heart. A piece of heart jewelry is a thoughtful memento for a bride to give to her bridesmaids to say thank you to them for being such a special part of her wedding. For grown up bridesmaids an open heart pendant or sterling silver heart bracelet would make a lovely present.  And for the younger girls, a dainty silver heart locket or a silver heart charm with a fine chain or perhaps worn on a ribbon to complement their gown would fit the bill.

What better way to express your love and appreciation for Mom or Grandma than a gift of heart jewelry?  While a diamond heart shaped pendant would be ideal, there are a large selection of heart jewelry items which are far easier on the finances. Heart necklaces can be purchased in various metals, including yellow gold, white gold or silver and can be set with genuine or man-made gems. Since the choice is vast you’re sure to be able to find the perfect heart jewelry gift for those special ladies.  To ensure you get something that will complement her other pieces of jewelry take a note of the other jewelry she has in her collection to see which precious metal she usually wears.

The great thing about giving heart jewelry is that you don’t need a special day to give it.  It makes a wonderful “just because” or “thank you” gift.  If you have been going through a particularly difficult time and, say, your sister or friend have been there for you giving them a gift of jewelry will reinforce how grateful you are for their support. Practically all girls like earrings and heart earrings can easily be bought in silver or gold and can also be set with diamonds if you wish to be extravagant. Obviously you have to take into account the individual personality of the lady who will receive the surprise. Hoops and dangly earrings are great for the extrovert person whereas a pair of delicate stud earrings may be more practical for wearing to work. Take notice of the kind of jewelry she already wears as this can provide an idea of the colors and styles she favors.

A classic gold or silver heart design charm bracelet makes a magnificent gift for a young woman that she’s going to always treasure.  Most are sold with many charms actually positioned and this can be a great choice if you’re buying for a girl who wants to keep up with the latest trends.  The original locked heart is one “must have” adornment to the old classic form of charm bracelet in which charms are added gradually over a period of time. This particular approach makes it easy to buy further gifts for that girl later on because she would want to collect fresh charms to attach to her bracelet.

Finally, it doesn’t take too much thought to realize that an item of heart design jewelry can make the perfect gift when you want to show someone how much you value and care for them. Even here though the wide selection of items available can be so enormous that you need to give think carefully before deciding exactly what piece of jewelry you should get. While you cannot go wrong if you choose gold heart earrings, there are a limitless amount of other pieces of heart jewelry such as heart charms, heart rings and heart bracelets which will convey the message just as well.

Oval Link Heart Charm Bracelet in Sterling Silver

Most little girls from a very early age dream of being a princess like Cinderella or Ariel or Belle, especially if they have watched the Disney movies.  They love to dress up as their favorite character either in specially bought dressing up clothes or, as I used to do when I was little, in Mom’s clothes.  And of course every princess needs lots of sparkling romantic heart jewelry to wear with her beautiful gown for when she meets her prince at the ball.

If your little princess has been fortunate enough to visit Disney World, or the huge Disney store in Downtown Disney in Florida, then she may have had the opportunity to visit the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique to have her hair, make up and nails done just like a real princess.  If money is no object (it could be as much as $200) then you will want to add all the extras such as her favorite princess’s dress, shoes and a photograph to commemorate the event.  Then of course she needs a tiara and all the other jewelry to match, such as a necklace, ring, earrings and bracelet. Depending on her age and your budget (if you haven’t overspent already!) the jewelry can be a mixture of cheap and cheerful glass beads with perhaps something more elaborate, like a silver heart charm bracelet, a silver heart locket, or a silver heart ring.

These items of jewelry can be a memento of her magical vacation but they can also be something to wear as she gets older.  For example, if you choose to buy a silver heart charm bracelet she can add a new charm from every place that she goes on vacation as a child and as an adult.  Charms could include a flip flop charm to remind her of a beach vacation or perhaps a charm of the Tower of London or the Eiffel Tower if she visited Europe.  Just imagine what memories it will evoke and what an interesting topic of conversation it will be when people admire it when she wears it as she gets older.  Disney pins on a lanyard may be great for when you are wanting to trade them but are hardly the height of elegance, whereas a silver heart charm bracelet can be worn with casual or formal outfits.

Obviously as she grows from a child into an adult she will accumulate a lot more jewelry to add to her collection whether it is fashion jewelry that she has bought for herself or more personal items that other people have bought for her on birthdays and other special days. And while she will not be playing at “dressing up” any more she will still enjoy the feeling of looking like a princess when she dresses in the gown she has chosen for special events such as her junior or senior prom.

But then the “Big Day” arrives and the little girl’s dream turns into reality and she really is a princess walking down the aisle to marry her prince.  All eyes are on her as she glides into the room wearing the most beautiful wedding dress and the most sparkling jewelry.  This time the jewelry may have been bought for her by her future husband and may consist of a heart shaped engagement ring, gold heart earrings, a gold heart necklace and a gold heart bracelet which he has given her as a token of his undying love. The great thing about heart jewelry is that it can be worn everyday even after the big event.  It looks equally good when worn to the office or for a posh night out or even when you are wearing casual clothes such as jeans and sweatshirt.

And why not start a tradition among the other princesses in the family – buy each of them a heart charm bracelet when they are young and let them choose the theme they want to continue  on it over time.  These items of jewelry will be great to hand down over the generations as they will have such a story to tell.

But let’s focus for a few minutes on those gifts that you buy because you want to express your love for someone.  You have many choices – too many, really, in this day and age and often so many that it becomes confusing.  However, one tried and true way to express your love for a lady (and maybe even a man, depending on your relationship and his particular style!) is to give a piece of heart jewelry.

Even if you haven’t given much thought to it before, it is easy to see why a piece of heart shaped jewelry can make the right gift for your loved one. However, there is an enormous variety of pieces and it can be so extensive that you simply must give some thought to what specific piece of jewelry you should buy. So should you buy a gold heart necklace, a silver heart bracelet or a simple heart brooch?

In fact, the answer is really obvious, isn’t it?  For the maximum impact and to deliver the message you really want to send, you need to match the gift to the lucky recipient.  For example:

• If your woman favors silver or white gold, then a white gold heart necklace or a sterling silver heart locket could be a perfect option.

• Or what about a vintage heart locket that contains your photo as an ultimate depiction of your feelings for her?

• Practically all ladies like earrings and heart design earrings can easily be bought in silver or gold and can also be encrusted with gems if you want to be extravagant.

Naturally you need to think about the individual taste of the woman who will receive the surprise. Take notice of the kind of jewelry she already wears as this can provide an idea of the colors and styles she favors.  Here are some further thoughts to help you along:

• One major trend that many observers have commented on is the increasing popularity of silver heart jewelry.  Sterling silver’s physical qualities allow it to be made into an almost limitless range of jewelry designs, ranging from delicate silver heart earrings to big bracelets and chains. One big advantage that silver has is that it’s color gives the appearance of white gold or platinum at a fraction of the cost. Silver creates a superb setting for nearly any color of gem, making it an ideal choice for moderately priced heart pendants, rings and earrings with either precious or semi-precious stones. A range of birthstones such as amethyst, garnet and topaz regularly appear in stunning silver heart jewelry designs. Nowadays, synthetic and created jewels look so good that once set in silver they can look as if they cost an absolute fortune.

• As mentioned before, the beauty of heart jewelry is that you are not limited to just one type of metal or just one style of jewelry – and this variety results in jewelry products that can match almost any budget.  Despite the likelihood that a diamond heart pendant would be perfect for the lady in your life, there are a huge selection of other heart jewelry items which can be much easier on the finances. Heart shaped necklaces can be found in various precious metals, such as white and yellow gold or sterling silver and can be set with real or artificial gemstones. As the selection is so diverse, you’re certain to manage to discover the perfect heart jewelry gift for a loved one.

• A particular celebration to which a piece of heart jewelry is best suited is a wedding anniversary. It’s a gift which will demonstrate to your wife how much you really care. Take note of whether she usually wears silver or white gold or if perhaps she prefers classic yellow gold. A little detective work in advance will ensure you opt for the ultimate heart shaped jewelry gift.

• A timeless silver or gold charm bracelet makes a fantastic gift for a girl that she’ll treasure forever. These vintage jewelry items are experiencing great demand because they have become the favorites of celebrities. The traditional heart design lock is the essential accent to the vintage form of charm bracelet where the charms are usually added gradually over time. That type makes it easy to buy gifts for the young lady later on as she would want to acquire new charms to increase her bracelet. Although, the modern epoch of designer heart charm bracelets come with several charms actually in position and it is a top selection for the designer conscious female.

So as you can see – whether it’s a gold heart necklace, a pair of silver heart earrings or a diamond heart pendant, heart jewelry can indeed solve your problems when you need a special gift for that special person!

Mom and Me, Mother & Daughter, Jade w/Crystal (Hearts Entwined), Womens Bracelet, Baby Bracelet, Sterling Silver, cats eye and genuine lead-free Crystals with matching heart charms

A sterling silver heart charm bracelet might be just the solution you’re looking for if  you are ever invited to a little girl’s christening or other such naming ceremony and you are wondering what would be an appropriate gift.  If you are fortunate enough to have been chosen as one of the little girl’s godparents then you want a gift that is going to last and one that will remind her of that special day as she gets older.  For this reason you need to think about something more long lasting than simply buying a beautiful outfit of clothes which she will outgrow in a matter of weeks.

One excellent gift to consider is a sterling silver heart charm bracelet, because this is a gift that she will treasure for years to come and one which can be added to over and over again throughout her lifetime.  In case you need some help in deciding:

1. There are lots of different sterling silver charm bracelet styles on the market, whether you are searching in the Mall jewelry stores or clicking from one to another of the many retailers found on the Internet.  Because of the wide variety available it might be that there are a number of things you might like to consider before making your final choice.  Although your gift is for a baby it might be as well to buy a bracelet that is slightly larger or that can have links added so that it grows with her.

2. Choose a heart charm that can be personalized, perhaps one with her birthstone set into it so that it can be engraved with either her birthday or her Christening date on it. You might even want to choose a heart locket so that a photograph of her on her special day can be put inside.

3. Make sure that other charms can be added to the links. By giving this gift you can add a charm to it for memorable occasions throughout her life making it into a history of her growing up.  For instance, on her first birthday you could add a birthday charm or in December of the year she is born, buy her one for her first Christmas.  Memorable events during her school days could be commemorated with a charm.  Maybe even her first boyfriend could add to it by giving her a heart charm on their first Valentine’s Day.

4. Other special days that spring to mind are of course her Graduation Day when you could present her with a charm depicting a graduation cap and the year she achieved her diploma or even a diploma charm.  Another special day would perhaps be to get her a car charm for when she gets her driving license or yet another, buying a number charm for when she reaches the age of majority.

5. Then of course as she gets to the stage in life when she is contemplating marriage, a charm depicting a wedding would be very appropriate.  And as her family grows, charms can be added to mark these happy events.

6. Another reason for choosing a sterling silver heart charm bracelet is that it complements other heart jewelry such as heart earrings or a heart pendant that she may well receive as gifts as she grows up.

Of course there are other Christening gifts that you could choose for that special little girl, such as a personalized brush and comb set or a first tooth and first curl gift set or even a silver cup with her name on.  But giving a silver heart charm bracelet is a gift that will keep on giving in memories throughout the years and one which she can pass on to her own children as a part of family history.  You can be sure that your Goddaughter or niece or even friends baby girl will remember you every time she wears that special piece of jewelry.

Sterling Silver Hand Engraved Heart Locket, 13/16 wide by 13/16

Since ancient times the heart symbol has been associated with love.  Many of the ancient cultures used it as a design on jewelry pieces but perhaps the most romantic era when heart jewelry came into its own was Victorian times.  One of the most romantic pieces of jewelry of this period was the silver heart locket. Although lockets had been used for centuries as good luck charms, or to carry poison or even to carry curative powders, their use as a symbol of love or condolence increased a great deal during the reign of Queen Victoria in the 19th century.

At first lockets were given to women who had lost a loved one so that they had a keepsake in which they could put a photograph or a lock of hair of their loved one.  Often these lockets would be worn on a pin close to the heart as a sign that although the person was no longer with them they were still in their heart and would not be forgotten.  They were also worn on chains round the neck or on charm bracelet.

As is the case today, Victorian lockets came in many different shapes: some were book shaped, some were round and of course the heart shape was popular.  They were made of different metals such as gold, silver, brass and copper.  Silver was a more common choice compared to gold due to the lower cost of that metal, a situation that remains valid today.  But is was favored more than brass and copper because the look and feel was superior.

Small Sterling Silver Hand Engraved Heart Locket, 5/8 in. (16mm) Wide and 5/8 in. (16mm) Tall

Many of these lockets had intricate designs engraved into them and most often they had the  initials of the owner or the loved one or perhaps both of these (see left for an example of a modern engraved silver heart locket and click on the picture , text or Amazon button for more details).  Some even had precious and semi-precious stones set in them.  These lockets were often passed down in families as heirlooms and I’m sure that if you go to some of the second hand jewelry stores or antique shops, especially in England, you will be able to find some of these beautiful pieces of history.

Heart lockets soon became a favorite gift to give to a loved one as the ultimate romantic symbol of love.  And what could be nicer than one that has a personalized message on it, like this next one (click on the picture, text or Amazon button for more information)?

St. Silver Tri Color I Love You Heart Shaped Locket 20x19mm – $25 Coupon Today

The photograph, lock of hair or other piece of personal memorabilia contained in the locket would serve as a reminder of the loved one even if they were far apart.  From the time of the American Civil War and the Boer War in the nineteenth century, the two world wars of the twentieth century to the conflicts that are raging today, wives, sweethearts, moms and sisters have worn heart lockets with pictures of their loved one inside as a means of keeping them close at all times.But why the heart shape?  Jewelry designs come and go but heart charms (and jewelry with heart designs on them) have never been out of fashion since they were introduced by the ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians.  The heart shape is thought to have originated from the shape of the seed pod of the now extinct Silphium plant.  The Greeks and Romans believed that the plant was a gift from Apollo and it that it contained many magical properties.  Not only was it used as a seasoning in many of the Mediterranean dishes of the time, it was also used for medicinal purposes to cure anything from a cold to more serious illnesses.  But one of its main uses was as a contraceptive and this is perhaps why the shape of its seed pods (very much like a human heart) led to it becoming the symbol of love.

Nowadays a locket (whether it’s a gold heart locket, silver heart locket or some other kind) makes a great gift for women of all ages and for all occasions and it would be nice if they once again became family heirlooms.  What could tell a family’s history more than a bracelet filled with heart lockets?  It could start with one with pictures of the bride and groom on their wedding day and then as each momentous milestone in that couple’s relationship is reached a new heart charm locket could be added.  One for each child with perhaps a photograph, their first curl or even a first tooth, ones commemorating each momentous anniversary, others carrying pictures of their children’s wedding days and then of course one to welcome each grandchild.  In this age of technology it would be nice to leave a solid memento of a previous generation for the next generation. And a silver heart locket is a great compromise that gives you a valuable and long lasting piece of jewelry yet it comes at a price that is lower than the more expensive gold option.