We know that charms have been a big deal since before the pandemic, but even more so during this last year. Featuring talismans and other meaningful icons and shapes, these highly collectible treasures have a wide range of appeal.
They’re also highly versatile. Though they’re traditionally found on a bracelet, charms can also be worn solo or in groups on a chain, dangling from the center of hoop earrings, on bangles, along a bar brooch, even sometimes from rings. I recently acquired a ladybug charm from Alison Nagasue that I’m anxious to string on an anklet for the spring and summer. There are so many pieces charms can decorate and dangle from, possibilities that make them all the more fun.
But charms can also be styled on clothing. At this past Sunday evening’s Grammy Awards, rapper Big Sean wore a chain of dangling charms peeking out from underneath the bow tie of his suave tuxedo. The piece, a gold chain strung all the way around with colorful gemstones by designer Loren Nicole (pictured at top), was yet another example of the gender-fluid ways men in the spotlight are experimenting with jewelry. While this experimentation still feels like an exciting novelty, it’s becoming more and more frequent, and with Big Sean, it certainly added to the appeal of his otherwise mostly traditional red carpet wardrobe. Also intriguing is the way that colorful line of charms popped from under the collar, like they should have been subtle, but because they were somewhat obscured, they only served to stand out more.
Jewelry wearers of any gender can rock this style. Take the classic button-down: When worn with its neckline slightly open, it can be accented beautifully by a chain laid against bare skin, but it takes on quite a different appearance when buttoned up with a chain tucked under the collar, dangling beneath the overlapping fabric.
While the necklace referred to features a lot of dangling stones set all the way around the chain (and presumably they aren’t easily removable because it was designed that way), wearers can create their own looks with a handful of charms (I think the sweet spot is around five, but less would work too) from their own collections or prospective collections.
Just more proof that the ever-versatile charms and pendants, whether they experience a dip in popularity post-pandemic or not—extremely unlikely—are forever finding fresh ways to keep us wanting more.
Top: One-of-a-kind charm necklace in 22k yellow gold with 22 cts. t.w. emerald, rock crystal, tourmaline, aquamarine, tanzanite, morganite, dumortierite, and peridot, $42,750; Loren Nicole
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