Special Vintage Charms

I'm having fun searching for unique vintage charms to make my bracelets special. I rarely buy charms that aren't sterling silver, since almost all my jewelry is sterling. 

Here are some of the ones I've found so far. 

Silver 1920s Puffed Cat Charm

This little cat is hollow, which is why he is described as "puffed." He's tiny, just 6/8ths of an inch by 3/8ths of an inch, and is sterling silver. This one came from my favorite charm dealer in England and is in very good condition. 

I think this cat has personality to spare, plus he has that lovely feel you only get with old silver. SORRY, NOT FOR SALE. I made a bracelet for my friend Monica with garnets and this cat. 

Vintage 1910 Silver Rickshaw Charm

This tiny rickshaw is my favorite charm. It is Chinese export jewelry, meaning made in China for export, back in about 1910. 

The charm is only 3/4 inch tall and 1" wide. It has a compartment in the back that opens and closes and the seat of the rickshaw has Chinese "touch" or maker's marks. 

I'm working on a jade bracelet to show off the rickshaw.  SORRY, NOT FOR SALE. 

1960s Silverware Charm

This vintage charm is a knife, fork, and spoon, plus a tiny oval that says "guaranteed table-ware." Each utensil measures just 6/8th of an inch in length, and the charm is sterling silver. This one also comes from my favorite charm dealer in England.

A customer asked me to make her a necklace with this charm and rose quartz beads. I was happy with the results: Charming Necklace With Rose Quartz

Early 1900s Working Abacus

Hard to believe, but the beads on this tiny abacus actually move. I found this charm in an antique store in Seattle's Pioneer Square neighborhood, and it is really special. It's silver plate, not sterling, and is slightly warped, which I think adds to its charm. 

Wear this on your wrist, and you won't need a calculator.

Jointed Brass Doll Charm

This late Victorian (@1890s) jointed brass doll is modeled after a wooden doll. It is a little over 1 inch in length and is jointed at the hips and shoulders. It may originally have been gold plated or gilded, but is now worn down to the brass. 

I designed a bracelet to showcase this very special charm, one that combines brass and silver, with accents of copper as well. See the bracelet.

See also: More Special Charms

Contact me: jeanne.sather@gmail.com

 

@ Jeanne Sather 2009. 

 

 

Comments

[Chris Baskin]

Jeanne, do you still have the 1960s silverware charm? If so would you be interested in making a bracelet or necklace for me?
I'm a long time follower of your blog. I happened upon it a couple of years ago when a drug manufacturer in the oncology space was a client of the company I worked for. We spent a lot of time talking to oncologists about their protocols for cancer patients -- what they prescribed or admininistered, for how many cycles, for which types of cancer patients, etc. But our work did not include talking to patients. So I made it our responsibility to find out more about "the other side". Google brought me to your blog. And I've been checking in ever since. It's only during your recent hospitalization that I sent my first post.
I hope you're feeling better and taking in the beauty of the fall season.
Best, Chris Baskin

[Jeanne]

Chris--I do still have that silverware charm, but just last week I made a necklace with it that I haven't had a chance to photograph yet.

It's the same design as this one:

http://charmedbracelets.net/2009/10/simple-stylish-amethyst-necklace.html

But the cluster of charms includes the silverware, a love token (late 1800s), and three gemstones: a square jade bead, the same amethyst coin that's in the necklace above, and a round clear quartz bead.

If you would give me your e-mail address, I can e-mail you a photo of this necklace tomorrow. If you don't like that one, I'm happy to use that charm to make you something else, but I think this design is pretty striking.

Jeanne

[Christine Baskin]

After I sent the email, I realized that I should have just emailed you rather than worked through TypePad. My email address is christinebaskin@yahoo.com. Thanks Jeanne.