There are specific types of jewelry that have historical significance and reflect your own personal history. As an example, a charm bracelet, with its collection of charms for life, can reveal quite a bit about you. Another type, dating from the Victorian era, is the sliding bracelet.

During the 19th century, women in England wore them as a fashion accessory. Since wristwatches were not created at that time, they wore heavy watches, often referred to as heavy hunting box watches, on a necklace. They added decorative “slides” to their chains that were placed under the watch that allowed them to shorten or lengthen the necklace by moving the slides up or down as well. Also, the sliders prevented the watch from turning and turning the chain.

Women used to collect a variety of slides to match what they wore. Many of the slides were designed from engraved antique watch keyrings; others were set with precious stones and highly ornamented. Other unique slides that were collected included pinheads that would be assembled into simple slides. Luckily for these women if there were many men in their family who gave them their pins!

During the 1930s, after the Victorian period, the clock slide became a very popular family heirloom. The 6-9 slides that were exchanged on a necklace were now used to create a functional piece of jewelry; First of all as a time piece, but also as a fashion bracelet. I’m sure most women never forgot to put on their watches, especially those exquisite pieces of art to wear. Very successful businessmen would reflect their wealth in the amount of jewelry their wives wore and some women also wore sliding bracelets on one arm and a sliding watch on the other.

A slide bracelet is made up of a double chain or a cable bracelet on which a slide is placed. The slides have four drilled holes (two at both ends) so that the chain or cable can slide. Many older slides had a small piece of cork placed inside to keep it in place on the chain. Today, they are held in place with bead-like spacers that are placed between each slide.

While the traditional chain sliding bracelet is still a classic today, cable bracelet type bracelets have also become quite popular. Personally, I refer to them as DIY slide bracelets because you don’t need a jeweler to assemble or put them together for you. Cable sliders are made up of two braided wire cable supports that is flexible. While slides are easy to add, rearrange, or remove due to the detachable clasp, they also have a downside; The end of the cables can fray with frequent wear and tear, requiring repair or replacement.

The classic sliding chain bracelet has a loyal following today and is just as popular. The name is used interchangeably and is often referred to as slides or slides. You may have inherited one or were given one as a gift; Or maybe you have a single slide and are starting to collect them. The complexity and detail of the slides are impressive. They are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and gemstones. You can find them at local antique / antique stores, during your trips abroad, antique shows, auctions, property sales, and of course online. You can also make some custom ones out of any strange or unused pieces of jewelry you may have in your jewelry box. For example, you could have a ½ pair of earrings that can now be incorporated and turned into a slide.

Some collectors buy slides at random, that is, if they like it, they buy them. Others may have a certain genre or design theme in mind. Such examples could include birthstones of family members, hobbies, religious themes, special occasions, pets, and specific gemstones, to name a few. A sliding bracelet reflects your uniqueness and that is why they are so unique. Once your sliding bracelet is complete, you may consider having a sliding earring, ring, or pendant to complement your bracelet.

Several years ago, one of our clients purchased four unique slip-on bracelets from us over a two-year period for her four daughters-in-law. He gave them as a Christmas present “to my daughters,” as he referred to them because they always admired hers. Tears flowed that special Christmas day. The love story with their own bracelets inspired two daughters-in-law to start collecting slides for their own daughters that they will give as gifts to their daughters on their wedding day.

Slide bracelets are indeed a family affair, rich in tradition and a heirloom for the next generation.