The many charms in various shapes and colours, each with its own meaning, make this piece of jewellery the most personal of all: the charm bracelet. Film diva Marlene Dietrich, the style icon of the 1930s, wore her bracelet as a good luck charm every time she boarded a plane.

Comparable models were already knotted from leather in the Neolithic period, with carved charms made of wood, shells, or bones. The ancient Egyptians also wore charm bracelets to protect themselves from evil.

But where does the unusual name of this piece of jewellery come from? Often, the individual charms are souvenirs from vacation spots, gifts, or desired items, so they tell a story. Queen Victoria had (as so often) a hand in the history of the charm bracelet. As a pioneer of many jewellrey trends, she wore charms with pictures or locks of hair from her loved ones on her wrist in the 19^th century. In the 20^th century, the materials became more precious.

Houses like Boucheron and Cartier made platinum, diamonds, and gemstones sparkle. Some models adopted themes such as jazz, love, or travel. The charms could be purchased individually and personalised. This is what makes the charm of the bracelets. From the fifties onward, they were especially given to young girls, who received a new charm for every occasion. And sometimes great divas like Ava Gardner were little girls again...