Back to the Beginning
At Charmco, we love paying homage to vintage charms. Have you explored our Vintage Vault yet? Unlock the vault to discover one-of-a-kind golden treasures dating as far back as the 19th century. While we adore every era, our hearts truly belong to mid-century charms from the 1940s–1960s—known for their movement, enamel details, and a touch of cheekiness. (Basically, all the Charmco girls’ favorite things.)
Our vintage story starts with Leslie—our resident vintage expert—who’s always sourcing rare finds from around the world. She knows exactly what you vintage lovers are after. Combined with Lisa’s modern, timeless design sensibility, that passion for the past comes to life in the vintage-inspired classics you know and love today.
Engine-Turned Charms
Engine-turned (or guilloché) patterns date back to the 18th century and were originally created using decorative lathes to engrave precise, repeating designs into metal. In the mid-1900s, this technique became especially popular in jewelry. Adding texture, shine, and visual depth to sentimental pieces like lockets and heart charms was common during a time when personalization and craftsmanship were highly prized.
Our Engine Turned Engravable 14k Gold Charms come in many sizes and styles, and take inspiration from those mid-century designs, using engraved lines that catch the light and give the piece a dimensional glow. It keeps the romance of vintage craftsmanship while feeling timeless and wearable today. If there’s someone who truly has your heart, this pick might say it best (engraving encouraged).
Enamel Martini Devil
Novelty charms with hidden surprises date back to the late 1800s, when jewelry often carried humor or symbolic meaning. This particular motif — with a “devil” emerging from a martini shaker — became popular again in the mid-1900s as cocktail culture took hold and jewelry embraced tongue-in-cheek motifs that poked fun at society’s changing norms around leisure and indulgence.
Our Enamel Martini Devil 14k Gold Charm draws inspiration from those vintage novelty pieces, with a shaker that opens to reveal a tiny enamel devil inside. It keeps the playful spirit of classic mid-century designs, while leaning into the irony. If your inner devil shows up after a few martinis, this may be the charm for you (olives and hangovers not included).
Spinning Ballerina
Mechanical charms gained popularity in the mid-20th century, when jewelers began adding movement to figural designs as a playful twist on traditional jewelry. Ballerina charms in particular reflected the era’s fascination with grace, performance, and femininity, inspired by the growing popularity of ballet and stage arts in mainstream culture.
Our Spinning Ballerina 14k Gold Charm nods to those vintage mechanical designs, with a ballerina that spins inside her heart-shaped frame. It captures the elegance and motion that made these charms so beloved, while giving them a fresh, golden update. If you love a little drama and a lot of grace, this dancer might just steal the show.
Custom Calendar with Diamond
Calendar charms emerged in the early 20th century as personal keepsakes used to mark meaningful dates like birthdays, weddings, and anniversaries. As charm bracelets grew in popularity throughout the 1930s–1950s, these tiny calendars became a way to turn personal milestones into wearable memory markers — often accented with gemstones to highlight a special day.
Our Custom Calendar with Diamond 14k Gold Charm draws from those sentimental traditions, featuring a classic calendar layout with a diamond set on the date that matters most to you. It keeps the spirit of vintage storytelling alive while making space for modern memories. If there’s a date you’ll never forget, this charm makes sure your jewelry won’t either.
Stork
A symbol steeped in tradition, the stork has long represented new beginnings, growth, and joyful arrivals. In jewelry, stork charms became especially popular in the early-to-mid 1900s as celebratory gifts for growing families, often given to mark the arrival of a baby or the start of a new chapter.
Our Stork 14k Gold Charm takes inspiration from those early keepsakes, featuring a stork carrying its tiny bundle in classic movable form. It honors the original meaning while giving it a refined, modern silhouette. A golden way to “welcome” the new addition in your life. If your announcement is twice as nice, we have a Stork With Twins 14k Gold Charm, too!
Classic for a Reason
Vintage-inspired charms are more than nostalgic—they’re stories, symbols, and heirlooms in the making. By blending old-world charm with modern craftsmanship, we bring timeless designs into the present, ready to be worn, loved, and passed down again.