In recent years, the world has seen an explosion in charm jewellery, from customising your own charm bracelets to artistic necklaces. When sourcing our vintage charms, we come across various interesting designs, many of which don’t have an obvious meaning to us as a modern audience.
Here, we have broken down some of the most popular charm motifs and what they symbolise, helping you understand their unique histories and meanings.
1. Swallow Birds
Made popular in Victorian jewellery, the Swallow Bird charm is not only elegant but also carries messages around loyalty and lasting love. It was popularised by Victorian sailors and travellers, who used this bird as a good-luck talisman. This is because spotting a swallow bird typically meant you were close to land, so it meant you were coming home safely. Gifted by loved ones before a long separation, these charms reflected a hope that the two would reunite safely.
We think the swallow bird looks the most graceful when paired with a simple, delicate chain. It would make an excellent gift for any long-distance friendship or relationship.
2. Kidney Beans
For a modern wearer, wearing a charm shaped like a bean might seem strange - but its origin story is fascinating, and holds far deeper meaning than what meets the eye.
Centuries ago, beach-goers would find various beans washed up on their beaches in Europe after arriving from the Americas. Because they possessed an outer shell, they were still able to germinate many months later when they washed up in Europe. This led many people to believe they held good fortune for fertility and would be gifted to couples trying to conceive children. Since the beans were rare, jewellers would create versions in precious metals, holding the same significance.
3. Animals
We see animals all the time in vintage charms, and they all carry different meanings. Here are just a few examples:
- Pigs: Luck and good fortune.
- Butterflies: Transformation and personal growth
- Fish: Harmony and abundance.
- Cats: Independence and cleverness.
- Dogs: Fidelity and loyalty.
Typically, animal-themed charms reveal a great deal about the culture that created them and how it viewed a particular animal. For instance, the Victorians had a fascination with reptiles, so you’ll tend to find these especially present on Victorian charms.
4. Crescent Moons
Still popular to this day, crescent moons bring an element of astrology to everyday jewellery wear. Depending on the time, this design can often reflect romantic love, new beginnings and protection. They symbolise the shifting nature of the moon system, and are seen paired with diamonds, pearls, or floral motifs.
Queen Victoria was a lover of celestial styles in her jewellery, so you’ll see many Victorian charms incorporating a moon-themed design. 
5. Insects
Ladybirds, scorpions, and bees are some of the most common insects found on antique charms, and like animals, they each hold their own unique meaning. As we’ve covered already, butterflies (as their transformative process implies) symbolise renewal and growth, whereas bees represent hard work and cooperation.
Like with animal charms, the most telling way to discover what your insect vintage charm means is to look up how that society viewed that particular species. Insect jewellery began to become prevalent from the 1860s, reflective of the Victorians’ interest with the natural world.
6. Good Luck Talismans
One of the most popular reasons for gifting a charm has always been to bring good luck and fortune. If you're looking to give a loved one a little extra luck, there are certain vintage charms that have been treasured for centuries for their symbolic meaning.
- Horseshoes: Still regarded as a symbol of luck, the lucky horseshoe stems from people believing the iron used to forge them possessed magical powers to ward off evil spirits & witches.
- Wishbones: Ancient symbols of good luck, hope, and wishes coming true, the tradition of the lucky wishbone dates back to the Romans who believed bird bones had prophetic powers.
- Four-leaf Clovers: Created in emerald green or in solid metals, four-leaf clover vintage charms remain timeless. The rare four-leaf mutation of this plant has made it sought-after for centuries, encapsulated in charm format for good fortune.
Vintage Charm Jewellery with Meaning
Whilst charm jewellery is popular at the moment for its unlimited customisation capabilities and potential for stacking, many of these designs were created for a reason, bringing a little extra meaning to your pieces.
Our inventory of antique and vintage charms is constantly changing and updating, so be sure to keep an eye on our website for the latest pieces.
