Posted by If you’ve read my blog for any length of time you’ll know I’m a fan of older sterling silver charm bracelets. I collected them for decades and sometimes pile them up on my wrist when I go out (seven is my max so far!). And I can tell you it’s so fun wearing an armful of jingly charms.
But these days I also enjoy selling charms and charm bracelets. I typically buy bracelets from other online sellers and then dismantle them and sell the charms individually. But sometimes I like the way a bracelet looks so much and the story the charms tell that I keep it together and sell it on. I don’t make as much profit that way but it’s lot less work too.
Now the truth is I still have a boxful of charms and a few bracelets to list in my store so I don’t know what possessed me last week, but I caved to my obsession and bought two fully loaded (30+ charms each) bracelets from eBay sellers. (And let me tell you that was a serious chunk of change!) While most of the charms are fairly common, I look for bracelets that have at least a few unusual charms that I will be able to sell in the $35 to $50+ range.
This vintage 1970s-1980s bracelet came from England and naturally has very specific English charms–a crown and Bobby hats–but some unexpected ones too.
This chunky Indian chief is fantastic (I list him for $45) and I liked the looks of this large puffy parrot charm which I’ll list for $35. The tiny movable Viking dude is a bit of fun I’ll also list for $35.
I love the mellow patina on this 1940s-1960s charm bracelet.
Amongst all the charms it has a scarce movable trolley that goes up a mountain and a blister pearl piece that is actually a small pendant someone attached as a charm. The Mexican woven picnic basket’s lid opens on both sides. How cute is that? Not sure on the prices on these yet.
The downside to buying loaded charm bracelets online is the inability to see every charm clearly. Typically there will be one of two charms that are broken or missing parts or are not sterling silver or are incredibly small or crudely detailed. Additionally you end up with more common charms that are not worth selling on their own. (I save the damaged charms for melt value.) Each of these bracelets have some that fall into these categories.
It will take me a while to process both of these bracelets and a long time before I turn a profit but of all the things I offer in my Etsy store, charms have been a consistent seller and I do make a small profit. Though, if I’m honest with myself, this is a labor of love, not a cash cow!
Wishing you happy hunting,
Karen
Some of the many charms for sale in my store…
Hunting for Vintage 
Thanks for showing these. What fun pieces of history. Love that Indian head!
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