Queen Victoria’s Role in Popularizing Charm Jewelry

Photo copyright EraGem   Queen Victoria routinely gave charms as New Year’s Eve gifts, and Prince Albert often designed charm bracelets for Queen Victoria to punctuate and commemorate birthdays and other special occasions. One such simple heart charm bracelet was a special gift from Albert to Victoria, first presented on November 24, 1840, three days after the birth of their beloved daughter Vicky. On this first presentation, the bracelet was grace with one enameled heart locket containing a lock of the princess’ hair. At the birth of each subsequent child, Albert added a new enameled locket with one of the child’s curls tucked safely inside. Just as they did during the Queen's reign, charm bracelets and necklaces can serve to tell a story. Designer Sam Gannaway-Jones, owner of the Etsy shop Hoolala, says of her unique wares, “My work revolves around the idea of compulsion and repulsion, the morbid curiosity of the Victorians, the strange, the unusual and my boxes of odd treasures I have collected since childhood.” I consider her work pure genius for its ingenuity, creativity, and flare. Though she talks of repulsion and compulsion, many of her pieces are a celebration of British patriotism and Victorian loveliness.  One such piece pays tribute to the royal wedding of Prince Edward, Victoria’s son and successor. It is fitting that the adjoining charm contain the picture of the Queen rather than his wife, as Victoria was the center of the lives of all her children as well as the nation, even after her death. by Angela Magnotti Andrews BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Stalking the Belle Epoque Blog. "Unusual Artifacts: Queen Victoria's Charm Bracelet, 1840." Accessed May 12, 2012. 2. Hubpages. "Heart Charm Bracelets and Charms." Accessed May 12, 2012. http://intimatevolution.hubpages.com/hub/heart-charm-bracelet. 3. Hand, S. "Victorian Jewelry: Personal Adornment from the Age of Romance to the Age of Aesthetics." Old Sacramento Living Program, 2004. Last modified 2011. Accessed May 12, 2012. 4. Dwyer, Kate. "History of Victorian Jewelry: Cameos and Intaglios, Charms and Victorian Mourning Jewelry." Victoriana Magazine. Accessed May 12, 2012. http://www.victorianamagazine.com/jewelry/victorianjewelry.htm. 5. Royal Collection, The. "Bracelet." Accessed May 12, 2012. http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/collection/65293/bracelet.