Looking for the right Italian Charm? Photo, Enamel or Lazer?

Hello and thank you for stopping by to read this guide and I hope it is helpful in choosing the right Italian Charm for you or for gift giving. 

I have recently received alot of inquiries about the sizes and differences in Italian Charms, so I thought maybe I should share what I know from experience.

I create custom photo italian charms.  The most popular size for me is the 9mm and the 18mm Italian Charms.  There are however mores sizes available on ebay from a wide range of sellers. 

Enamel charms are adorable and if they are soldiered , not glued on to the link, they do last awhile.  I have had some that have chipped/broke off from the link.  So be sure that if you are going to invest in an enamel charm that you have some sort of guarantee.  Lazer on the other hand, I have had several and the wording and picture tends to fade and or wear off.  Pugster is a popular brand on ebay and the prices are good.  Uberry is another popular brand.

These charms are made by manufacturers for the majority.  Photo charms on the other hand are my favorite because you can have anything imaginable placed on these charms from pictures, favorite sayings, text or both. Its just amazing what a person can do with custom photo italian charms.  They provide a personal touch for gift giving.  That jewelry person that is hard to buy for, oh my, PERFECT.  Photo Italian charms can be made for one person in mind which makes it a one of a kind gift that no one else would have.  And if made correctly and the right coating is used..these last along time.  I have not had one returned to me in the years that I have sold these for the picture or enamel comming off the link.  I do tell my customers to wipe down with rubbing alcohol every so often to ride oil build up from fingers, etc, which causing yellowing over a long period of time.  BUT when purchasing photo italian charms make sure before you use this method that the coating used is alcohol resistant. The seller should have that information available for you.

I like the 18mm because you can do so much with these charms and add 9mm italian charms to this link and make a unique bracelet.  If you plan to mix the links on a bracelet besure that when purchasing the 18mm that you would be able to add one or two 9mm links to it.  What I call a double 18mm is the one where you can add 2 9mm charms to each side.  The UNO 18mm italian charm is made to only add one 9mm italian charm with it be enamel, lazer or photo charms. Below is an example of what I had just spoke about:

Another Important part of custom photo italian charms is what the images are printed on.  From experience, I have used the cheap photo paper and the studio professional photo paper...  You just can not beat the quality of the color and the imaging on the more expensive photo paper along with photo ink added along with a tri color printer cartridge.  For some reason, I could not load another picture to show you the look of a italian charm bracelet with mixed size charms.  Sorry!   Kids love these bracelets as well.  I have made all my neice bracelets and I add to them for holidays and birthdays.  They love em!!!  Its like a gift that keeps on giving...LOL. 

There is also 13mm, 5mm, 7mm and memory, hearts...etc...but to the best of my knowledge the 18mm with the 2 different types, the double and the uno is the only charm like that.  The Uno's are usually more expensive and I would assume that is was because they are not as popular as the double.

Another wonderful thing about italian charms bracelets is that you can change it up by adding to it and taking away.  Also available on ebay are italian charm key chains...which I use to put the charms I take off my bracelets and add them to my key chain.  There are watches, necklaces, earrings...its just endless what you can buy charms for and the fitting is usually so flexable to fit most anything I have mentioned. 

Just to note:  The 9mm's are nice petit bracelets and the images can be harder to see, I personally work on getting the images so they can be seen...and I am sure most ebay sellers do as well.  The 18mm is a wider bracelet but the images are well seen and detailed, 13mm are as well...with this size the image is more tall than wide where as the 18mm is more wide than tall. 

Also, two 9mm charms on a double 18mm is the same height. Awesome huh!  I can ramble on all day about italian charms but for now, I hope this little bit of information helps in guiding you on your next purchase of italian charms or first time buyers of italian charms.

They are just the ultimate gift giving, one of a kind, heir loom, treasure of memories idea EVER!

Thank you!  Take Care and Have a wonderful day/evening!  Happy Ebay-ing!