Just finished today, a lovely little charm necklace heading off to a little girl in Germany. 

A little bit of history about the humble charm......

Charms go back as far as Neolithic times where man would pick up an unusual stone or piece of wood and carry it with him to ward off his enemies. 
Elaborate jewellery made of precious stones and metals emerged during Egyptian times and it was during this time that the first recognizable charm bracelets and necklaces first appeared. In the Middle Ages, charms and amulets were put to use by knights and kings. They were most often used with incantations to wreak havoc on occupants within enemy castles and protect warriors in battle. Charms were also worn on belts to represent family origin, political standing and profession.
The end of World War II saw the re-emergence of charm jewellery as we know it today. Soldiers purchased little handmade trinkets as gifts to bring home to their sweethearts. Native craftsmen fashioned small bits of metal into little replicas of items common to their environment. Enterprising jewellers in the States quickly picked up on the trend to create charms for all occasions.

I just wanted to share with you a cool pendant I made recently for a commission. I was asked to design  an image that subtly reflected a mother cradling two children represented by the semi-precious stones Amethyst and Peridot.  We chose the Amethyst because It carries the energy of fire, passion, creativity and spirituality and the Peridot which offers protection from negativity and clears the way to fulfilling one's own dreams. Below is the piece in the process of being made.