it belongs more properly to the “language of flowers”)
During the 20th century American charm bracelet at left features a variety of lucky charms in a bright mix of brass, copper, sterling silver, and gold-plated metal. This bracelet is typical of the kind of jewelry worn by adolescent girls in the 1950s and 1960s, collected charm by charm while traveling through the tourist traps, flea markets, jewelry stores and yard sales. Many of the more modern American charms symbolize:
A silver heart engraved with initials: love for the named individual
A brass heart pierced by an arrow: smitten romantic love
A silver horseshoe: attraction or “drawing” luck
A gold wishbone set with a pearl: wishes come true
A silver horseshoe on which is placed a wishbone, a four-leaf clover, a horseshoe and the words “Good Luck”: good luck
A gold and green enameled four-leaf clover: luck
A silver money bag with a $ sign: wealth
A copper horseshoe on which is placed a four-leaf clover: good luck
A brass heart padlock: faithful love
A silver spread of playing cards: gambling luck
A gold double horseshoe set with an artificial diamond: money luck
A brass money bag marked 1000: wealth
A silver horseshoe: attraction or “drawing” luck
Other popular 20th century charms often found on European and American charm bracelets include:
A swastika: luck (pre-Nazi Germany)
Twin hearts pierced by a single arrow: reciprocated love
An Amanita muscaria mushroom: luck
A chimney sweep or his ladder and brush: luck
A “Lucky Buddha”: luck
A black cat: gambling