Charmed Bracelets by Tracey Zabar - Book Review

Guest Author - Chris Franchetti

New York designer Tracey Zabar is known for her high fashion charm bracelets sold through Barneys New York and Kate Spade. Her designs have been worn by some of the most popular contemporary celebrities, including Julia Roberts, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Charlize Theron. In 2004, she published a beautiful book about (what else?) charm bracelets! I picked up my copy of Charmed Bracelets on the day of its release, and I was not disappointed.

The first thing you'll notice about this first edition hardcover is the quality and beauty of its overall construction. Built like a coffee table book, but with a much more manageable size (8 1/2" by 8 1/4"), it features a solid cover and 96 stiff pages full of clear, colorful photography by Ellen Silverman.

Try not to be put off by the first page of text, which is printed in all caps. It makes for cumbersome reading and a virtual YELLING effect. However, the typeface relaxes down to normal on the very next page. This effect occurs at the beginning of each new chapter, presumably as a style element. It is perhaps my only complaint about this title.

The Forward to Charmed Bracelets was written by American pop culture writer Lisa Birnbach. It provides a nice entryway to the remainder of the book and gently pulls the reader's mind into the charm bracelet mood.

Chapter 1, "a charmed history," is an informative account of the charm bracelet through the ages which, like the entire book, is full of wonderful charm bracelet photos to study and admire. Zabar succinctly describes the charm bracelet tradition, from early recorded history to the present day, describing each significant period throughout. I'm always fascinated by socio-cultural influences on fashion jewelry. Zabar's little history specifically shows how the design and meaning of charm bracelets have been affected by culture. It's fun information to have whether you own an entire charm bracelet collection, or you're just starting to assemble your very first piece.

Chapter 2 introduces us to "famous charmers," bracelets owned and worn by well known people of distinction. These include bracelets of the Ball-Arnaz family, Jacki-O, Mrs. Babe Ruth, and the Duchess of Windsor. Again, wonderful photos and concise descriptions make this chapter a keeper.

I consider Chapter 3 the Meat and Potatoes of the book. Titled "charm school," it takes the reader step by step through the process of finding or assembling the perfect charm bracelet. Zabar describes the different charm "types" (such as "container charms," "Stanhope charms," and others) and some common charm bracelet themes. She discusses charm selection and composition, while continuing to provide wonderful, colorful examples along the way.

The book's final chapter travels "beyond the bracelet" to explore fun ways charms can be used in gifts or for general ornamentation without the use of a bracelet at all. You'll even find some cute stuffed-animal dogs here donning their charms doggie style. (Well, you know what I mean . . . ).

Zabar includes an extensive reading list at the end of the book, in case you'd like to take your study of the charm bracelet to a deeper level.

Overall, I was very pleased with this little book, Charmed Bracelets, and I intend to keep it in my permanent collection. It's aesthetically beautiful, but also contains just enough information that I will occasionally use it as a reference.

After reading the book you will probably view charm bracelets with a more critical eye - and a greater appreciation. Perhaps you'll even get back to that charm-bracelet assembling project you've been putting off for years. And when you finally pass it down to future generations, you might pass a copy of this book along with it. As Zabar shows us, charm bracelets can communicate a lot about the wearer - and they always come back into style!

Gift idea: I definitely recommend this book, perhaps with a chunky bracelet chain and one or two starter charms, as a gift. Write a little note inside the cover and give your gift recipient some extra motivation to assemble her own unique piece of jewelry.

Topical note: Charmed Bracelets focuses on the dangly, traditional form of charm bracelet. It does not discuss the newer "Italian charm" slide/tile bracelets.