What is a charm bracelet?

According to Korn, a charm bracelet is “a chain bracelet with enough links to support all sorts of charms.” These bracelets can feature one charm, a collection of charms, or have enough space for you to collect charms and add them to the bracelet as you go. “A charm bracelet is the best kind of bracelet because it has so much personality and charm (sorry, had to),” Korn explains.

How do you put charms on a charm bracelet?

There are different ways to add charms to a charm bracelet, depending on the charm and the bracelet links. “I use jump rings to add new charms to my bracelets,” says Korn. You can also use lobster clasps or even take them to a jeweler and have the charms permanently soldered on the bracelet.

How do you clean charm bracelets at home?

In short, it depends on the metal type and your preference. Korn says she likes to wear her charm bracelets in the shower to rinse them off and add to their worn-in feel—this is especially great if you want a bracelet that has a vintage vibe. “The reason vintage jewelry looks so good is that it’s worn,” says Korn, adding that jewelry “looks incredible” when it gets “polished by the natural oils in your skin.” Some charm bracelets—such as Alex and Ani’s bracelets—can be cleaned with a special cleaning cloth from the brand. And others can be polished using an at-home solution made for the specific metal type. For anything that isn’t gold or silver, wiping them down with a damp cloth is a great way to clean them without causing tarnishing.

The 18 Best Charm Bracelets of 2023

One quick scroll through TikTok and Instagram will tell you one thing: Y2K is back. And with it comes the return of one of our favorite jewelry trends, charm bracelets. From classic silver and gold to kitschy and colorful, this trend spans a plethora of styles, making it something we can all get behind. Additionally, we love any excuse to personalize our wardrobe with thoughtful and meaningful additions—and charm bracelets are made for personalization and sentiment.

Meet the Expert

Susan Korn is the CEO and designer behind the beaded bag craze (and now charm bracelets!) at Susan Alexandra.

“I love personal jewelry pieces that have a story behind them,” says jewelry designer Susan Korn. “I love to wear jewelry that makes me feel protected and empowered, and that’s the joy of charm bracelets.”

Whether it’s the classic charms like initials and birthstones or the trendy Y2K beaded charms, we went on a deep dive to find the best charm bracelets.

Keep reading for the best charm bracelets, according to Byrdie.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

BaubleBar Foreward Charm Bracelet at Baublebar.com

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Best on Amazon:

CEALXHENY Link Charm Bracelet at Amazon

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Best Splurge:

The Last Line Rectangle Chain Bracelet With Charm Enhancer at Thisisthelast.com

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Best Gold:

Kendra Scott Link & Chain Charm Bracelet In 18K Gold Vermeil at Kendrascott.com

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Best Silver:

COACH Signature Link Bracelet at Belk.com

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Best for Gifting:

Alex and Ani Initial Charm Bangle at Amazon

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Best Initial:

Bony Levy 14K Gold Charm Bracelet at Nordstrom

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Best Personalized:

MYKA Round Chain Link Bracelet with Engraved Charms in 18K Gold Vermeil at Myka.com

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Best Trendy:

Susan Alexandra Make Your Own Chunky Chain Spells & Numbers Bracelet at Susanalexandra.com

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Best Diamond:

Blue Nile Twist Heart Bracelet at Bluenile.com

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In This Article

Our Picks
What To Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Byrdie

BaubleBar

View On Baublebar.com

For the best overall category, we wanted a charm bracelet that is high quality—so it will last you years to come—reasonably priced, and can be fully customized. With all that in mind, we landed on BaubleBar’s Foreword Charm Bracelet, which is a basic paperclip chain bracelet that allows you to easily hook on any charm from BaubleBar’s collection. (Psst: We love this butterfly charm and this pearl initial charm.) The bracelet is made of gold-plated brass and has an adjustable cuff closure, too.

Metal: Gold-plated brass | Size: Adjustable | Chain Type: Paperclip

Amazon

View On Amazon

The best charm bracelet on Amazon is this top-rated good luck bracelet, featuring a unicorn, butterfly, star, heart, and other fun charms (there’s also an option with added pearl beads). The metal bracelet comes in a variety of finishes with different charm collections to choose from, including gold, silver, rose gold, and gold with pearl.

Price at time of publish: $10

Metal: Alloy | Size: 7.2 inches | Chain Type: Link

The Last Line

View On Thisisthelast.com

If you’re looking to splurge on a charm bracelet, we have the ultimate find for you. This stunning chain bracelet from The Last Line is the perfect base for your charm collection. Available in 14K yellow gold, the rectangle chain has a single spring clasp that doubles as a charm enhancer, so you can choose to either place charms front and center or spread them out around the bracelet.

Price at time of publish: $845

Metal: 14K yellow gold | Size: 7 inches | Chain Type: Rectangle chain

Kendra Scott

View On Kendrascott.com

If the splurge option was a tad too high for your price range, but you still want a high-quality gold charm bracelet, this 18K gold vermeil from Kendra Scott is the next best thing. Also available in sterling silver, the link and chain bracelet features seven open link closures, so you can easily add your favorite charms all the way around.

Price at time of publish: $290

Metal: 18K gold vermeil | Size: 8 inches | Chain Type: Link and chain

Macy's

View On Belk.com View On Macy's

For a silver charm bracelet, we love a classic design that accentuates your charms. This chain bracelet from COACH is our top pick for its style, quality, and price point. The open-link silver bracelet features enough space for a decent collection of charms, plus a round charm enhancer—with the COACH logo engraved—front and center. It’s chic enough to wear on its own or with a variety of charms and comes with a one-inch extender so you can ensure it fits well.

Price at time of publish: $75

Metal: Silver-tone brass | Size: 7 inches with 1-inch extender | Chain Type: Open link

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Alexandani.com View On Macy's

Alex and Ani bracelets make for a great gift, especially if your loved one is already a collector of their bangle charm bracelets. The brand has tons of charm bracelets to choose from, including nods to cities and sports teams, but we love the idea of gifting a classic initial charm bracelet. The bangle bracelets are also expandable, with a size range of 2 to 3.5 inches in diameter.

Price at time of publish: $30

Metal: Nickel-free metal | Size: 2-3.5 inches (diameter) | Chain Type: Bangle

Nordstrom

View On Nordstrom

We love an initial charm bracelet that is simple yet sentimental, and this one from Bony Levy meets all of our requirements. The thin, dainty chain features your choice of one to five letter charms in 14K yellow gold, so you can opt for your first initial, spell out a short name, or add your kids’ initials, too. And you can also choose fun symbols such as a heart or moon charm.

Price at time of publish: $125

Metal: 14K yellow gold | Size: Not listed | Chain Type: Link chain

MYKA

View On Myka.com

Charms are all about personalization, and this bracelet takes it to the next level with simple yet elegant charms that can be engraved with names, letters, and symbols. The bracelet is also available in a wide selection of quality metals, including sterling silver, 18K yellow gold plating, 18K rose gold plating, or 18K gold vermeil.

Price at time of publish: $80

Metal: Sterling silver, 18K yellow gold plating, 18K rose gold plating, or 18K gold vermeil | Size: 5.5-8 inches | Chain Type: Link chain

Susan Alexandra

View On Susanalexandra.com

Susan Alexandra is giving us Y2K vibes with this chunky (and customizable) bracelet. From her beaded bags to her funky jewelry, Susan Alexandra’s designs are majorly on-trend right now. The polished brass chain features large openings with lots of room to add your favorite charms and curate a jewelry item that is as unique as you are. Choose between adding one (such as your initial) to seven enamel bronze charms for a keepsake you’ll cherish forever.

Price at time of publish: $98

Metal: Bronze | Size: 7 inches (small), 9 inches (large) | Chain Type: Chain link

Blue Nile

View On Bluenile.com

Add some extra sparkle to your wrist with this diamond heart charm bracelet from Blue Nile. Dazzling enough to wear on its own with enough space to customize and add your favorite white or yellow gold charms, the cable chain bracelet features a twisted heart centerpiece with a row of round diamonds.

Metal: 14K yellow gold, 14K white gold | Size: 7 inches | Chain Type: Cable chain

Rellery

View On Rellery.com

Charm bracelets aren’t typically a style that is associated with minimalism, but there are some great and simple options for minimalistic charm bracelets. We love this beaded one from Rellery. It’s not the most ideal for adding your charms, but that's OK because it comes with two small heart charms—one of which you can custom engrave with a name.

Price at time of publish: $135

Metal: 18K yellow gold over sterling silver, or sterling silver | Size: 6.5-8 inches | Chain Type: Beaded

Kurt Geiger London Resin Heart Charm Bracelet

Nordstrom

View On Zappos

Make a bold statement with a charm bracelet that has chunky and colorful charms—like this heart charm bracelet from Kurt Geiger London. The gold-tone plated bracelet features a rainbow of resin charms with statement-making cubic zirconia gemstones in between for an added touch of sparkle.

Metal: Gold-tone plate | Size: 7 ⅞ inches | Chain Type: Link chain

Made by Starlightshine Funky Charm Bracelet

Etsy

View On Etsy

We are loving the kitschy jewelry trend, and this charm bracelet is no exception. The handmade bracelet from Etsy is made from a plastic chain link base with a fun assortment of charms. The bracelet is also completely customizable. You choose from 20 different chain colors and six chain lengths and can pick five charms from the shop’s collection.

Price at time of publish: $34 for 6 inches

Metal: Plastic | Size: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11 inches | Chain Type: Chain link

Bon Bon Whims

View On Bonbonwhims.com

We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the return of Y2K trends, such as the charm bracelet. This one feels like a major throwback with a fun, kitschy smiley face and freshwater pearl beads, plus its sparkling charm add-ons. The hand-beaded bracelet fits a 5-8 inch wrist and can be purchased as is or with the addition of up to three charms.

Price at time of publish: $75

Metal: Beads | Size: 5-8 inches | Chain Type: Beaded

The Last Line

View On Thisisthelast.com

On the hunt for the perfect gift for your bestie? This best friend bracelet set from The Last Line is a great, minimalistic approach to the charm bracelet. Rather than having a dangle charm, this bracelet set features a broken half heart in the center of each chain with a tiny little diamond at the center for added sparkle.

Price at time of publish: $650

Metal: 14K yellow gold or 14K rose gold | Size: 7 inches | Chain Type: Link chain

Pandora Moments Heart Clasp Snake Chain Bracelet

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Walmart

A snake chain bracelet is a great, minimalistic approach to the charm bracelet trend because it’s stylish enough to wear solo but has tons of room to add your favorite charms, too. This charm bracelet from Pandora features a mix of silver and gold metal, making it a great everyday item that goes well with everything. And, for added flair, you can add a mix of gold and silver charms, too.

Price at time of publish: $64

Metal: Sterling silver, 14K gold-plated metal blend | Size: 6.3-9 inches | Chain Type: Snake chain

Abbott Lyon

View On Abbottlyon.com

Much like an initial charm bracelet, a birthstone charm bracelet is a great way to add some personalization to your wrist party. This one is a mix of both with your choice of initial and birthstone charms. From May’s emerald to October’s opal, you can decorate this dainty charm bracelet and give it as a thoughtful gift, or keep it for yourself (you deserve it!).

Price at time of publish: $70

Metal: Yellow gold, rose gold, or silver-plated stainless steel | Size: 7.5 inches | Chain Type: Chain link

Kate Spade New York Minute Charm Bracelet

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Katespade.com View On Macy's

If you want a charm bracelet that has a theme but don’t wish to create your own, this New York City-themed bracelet from Kate Spade is swoon-worthy. The chain-link bracelet has every little detail worked out with a taxi, an apple, a street pretzel, and a few things in between. And, if you want to add to the collection, there is enough space on the bracelet to do so.

Metal: Gold-plated metal | Size: 9 inches | Chain Type: Chain link

What to Look for in a Charm Bracelet

Symbolism

“Choose charms that mean something to you so that every time you look down at your wrist, you feel a certain way,” Korn recommends. “I always include an eye, which represents protection, and a watermelon slice, which evokes summer and abundance.”

Metal Type

Depending on your budget and how often you plan to wear your bracelet, it is a good idea to consider the metal type of your bracelet. If you think you’ll wear it a lot, go with something a bit more sturdy such as gold or silver. If you want something that pops but isn’t for every day, plated metals might be a better choice for you.

FAQ

What is a charm bracelet?

According to Korn, a charm bracelet is “a chain bracelet with enough links to support all sorts of charms.” These bracelets can feature one charm, a collection of charms, or have enough space for you to collect charms and add them to the bracelet as you go. “A charm bracelet is the best kind of bracelet because it has so much personality and charm (sorry, had to),” Korn explains.
How do you put charms on a charm bracelet?

There are different ways to add charms to a charm bracelet, depending on the charm and the bracelet links. “I use jump rings to add new charms to my bracelets,” says Korn. You can also use lobster clasps or even take them to a jeweler and have the charms permanently soldered on the bracelet.
How do you clean charm bracelets at home?

In short, it depends on the metal type and your preference. Korn says she likes to wear her charm bracelets in the shower to rinse them off and add to their worn-in feel—this is especially great if you want a bracelet that has a vintage vibe. “The reason vintage jewelry looks so good is that it’s worn,” says Korn, adding that jewelry “looks incredible” when it gets “polished by the natural oils in your skin.”
Some charm bracelets—such as Alex and Ani’s bracelets—can be cleaned with a special cleaning cloth from the brand. And others can be polished using an at-home solution made for the specific metal type. For anything that isn’t gold or silver, wiping them down with a damp cloth is a great way to clean them without causing tarnishing.

Why Trust Byrdie

Contributing writer Jessie Quinn has a bachelor's degree in fashion journalism. From working in the fashion closet and interviewing designers at NYLON to now writing about the best style trends for various publications, Jessie researches and sources the best fashion finds. Jessie received her first charm bracelet when she was eight years old and still has it today. It's sterling silver, and she remembers receiving charms as gifts, as well as collecting new additions while on family vacations. As a teenager, Jessie was all about her Betsey Johnson and Juicy Couture charm bracelets—and her love for collectible jewelry remains true today. When researching the best charm bracelets, Jessie tapped into her personal experience with the keepsake style and her professional research experience as a journalist to curate a collection of top picks for every style, purpose, and occasion.

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